Saratoga Farmers' Market

Pleasant Valley Farm

Farmers’ market still essential to community

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By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

Customers respecting social distance while shopping at Elihu Farm’s stand, photo by Pattie Garrett

Community life in and around Saratoga has shut down in the effort to slow the Coronavirus spread. One space that remains open is the Saratoga Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings at the Wilton Mall.

The market, deemed an essential service, set up outdoors last Saturday in the parking lot outside the shuttered mall. Market staff created “stalls” out of parking spaces and placed vendors in spots that were spaced to maintain a safe distance.

Vendors set up tables and in some cases tents. They donned rubber gloves and had disinfectant wipes and sanitizer on hand.

What makes farms and farmers’ markets essential?

Most crucially perhaps is the fact that they offer food that is locally grown. You can find fresh vegetables, eggs, and chicken at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, along with such storable vegetables like carrots and potatoes; beef, pork, lamb, and goat; and even shelf-stable sauces, pickles, and dried beans.

Hannah Odasz of Pleasant Valley Farm, photo by Pattie Garrett

“We need to be able to get our food to the community,” said Jason Heitman, of Green Jeans Market Farm, a vegetable grower.

“Farms are the heart of community,” added Julie Noble, of Ramble Creek Farm, which offers mushrooms and meats. “It’s important to keep food local, especially at this time.”

Farmers’ markets rarely operate outdoors before May. Last Saturday was sunny but windy, with temperatures that were below freezing.

As a vendor myself, I shivered through three layers of jackets, wool socks, and gloves. I filled my table with eggs and set out coolers of meat. I was unsure what to expect, but as market regulars and new customers arrived, it quickly became apparent that many hungered not only for food but a sense of community, too.

The Food Florist, photo by Pattie Garrett

Amid sales, vendors and customers exchanged news. There were no handshakes or hugs, but plenty of laughs and well wishes.

“We’ll be continuing the market every week,” said Beth Trattel, market board president and owner of Something’s Brewing. “We’re working with the mall to ensure that the space that we’re in remains safe.”

Kelley Hillis of Puckers Gourmet Pickles could not offer samples of her pickles but did display their award-winning ribbons on her coat.

“Farmers markets are vital,” she said. “The money spent here supports a local producer. It helps keep my family, and other farm families fed.”

 

This week’s recipe: Roast Chicken

Enjoying the Saratoga Farmers’ Market Safely

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By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

Longlesson Farm, photo by Pattie Garrett

Efforts to slow the Coronavirus spread prompted us to cancel last week’s Saratoga Farmers’ Market. We are optimistic the market will take place this Saturday at the Wilton Mall and will post any updates on our Facebook page and other social media.

We value our shoppers, farmers, and the communities we serve. Your health is important to us. Current health guidelines indicate that foods available at producer-only farmers markets such as ours are likely to be safer than goods obtained from groceries or delivery services because the distance that the food travels is shorter and the number of persons handling it is less.

Purchases at our market also support local businesses.

We are working with mall management to expand the market’s space. If weather permits, more vendors may set up outdoors. We also are encouraging vendors to keep hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes at their tables and to wear gloves or use some other means of keeping their hands out of direct contact with raw foods. All prepared foods will be prepackaged, and we have put the offers of samples on hold.

Washing station at Pleasant Valley Farm, photo provided

Here’s how you can help us keep our market healthy, too:
● Wash their hands if you eat just before shopping.
● Try not to congregate too tightly around vendor tables.
● Allow our vendors to hand produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, and other food items to you. Try not to touch baskets of carrots, bags of lettuce, cabbage heads or other such items yourself.
● Be patient, as vendors clean their hands in between handling produce and money. Some vendors might have different people delegated to taking care of these tasks.
● If you are not feeling well, do not enter the market directly. Contact our vendors in advance, or the market manager. We can arrange for a curbside pickup, and in some cases, a delivery.

Last week, Pleasant Valley Farm drew on its extensive mailing list to survey customers and based on the nearly 70 responses, set up a drop point for preorders as well as a home delivery service. As Pleasant Valley’s Robert Arnold said, the goal “is to provide fresh, healthy produce to all of our faithful customers in the region any way we can.” We look forward to seeing you soon.

10 Things You Might Not Know Are Sold at the Farmers’ Market

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By Julia Howard

Upon the first look, the farmers’ market can be overwhelming. Tables are piled high with produce, coolers are full of meat and cheeses, and display cases tower high with bottles of syrup and jars of jam. In addition, products available at the farmers’ market change slightly each season. Here’s a peek at 10 things you might not know are sold at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market.

Shaving soap from Moxie Ridge Farm, photo provided

1. Shaving soap
“Soft Serve” shaving cream is an old-fashioned wet shaving soap made from goat milk and pig lard. This nourishing specialty soap is made exclusively at Moxie Ridge Farm. Just add some water, lather with a shaving brush, and enjoy the lather for a smooth shave.

2. Mushroom coffee & teas
Mariaville Mushroom Men have made it easy to enjoy a daily serving of mushrooms with their perfectly blended mushroom teas that come in easy to use teabags. Looking for something a little more robust? Scoop, stir and enjoy their instant mushroom coffee.

The Vermont Spätzle Company, photo provided

3. Spätzle (gluten-free)
The Vermont Spätzle Company has traditional spätzle that is no-boil, ready in 5 minutes, and gluten-free. What’s even better is that this spätzle is as versatile as it is tasty. The Vermont Spätzle Company has dozens of quick and easy spätzle recipes on their website.

4. Goat
Goat has a distinct flavor that is leaner than lamb and can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as being stewed, curried, baked, grilled, barbecued, minced, canned, fried, or made into sausage. Find a variety of cuts, ribs, and roasts at Squashville Farm.

5. Dog treats
Dog treats are serious business at the farmers’ market. Longlesson Farm and Lewis Waite Farm both offer beef bones specifically for dogs. Something’s Brewing makes ‘beastly bites’ dog biscuits from all-natural ingredients. And, Mugzy’s Barkery has a whole line of treats and cakes made from all-natural and organic ingredients.

Earth to Mind, photo provided

6. CBD oil
With high-quality hemp grown and processed here in New York, Earth to Mind CBD products are designed to help relieve stress, soothe pain, and attain a sense of well being when added to your holistic routine. If you’re looking for an alternative form of healing, visit Earth to Mind about adding CBD oil to your holistic routine.

7. Take-home meals
The Food Florist offers a variety of frozen take-home meals made with carefully sourced ingredients so you won’t have to compromise over convenience. The Food Florist offers a variety of casseroles and lasagnas to choose from, even breakfast and gluten-free options.

8. Hormone balancing seed blends
Seed cycling is an easy and functional way to get nutrients in the body to help women rebalance their hormones. Moon Cycle Seed Company blends four seeds: pumpkin, flax, sunflower, and sesame. When ingested in a specific combination daily, they provide the body with essential nutrients.

Pea shoots at Pleasant Valley Farm, photo provided

9. Shoots
Whether you eat them by the handful, put them on a salad or sauté them with garlic, pea and radish shoots offer a burst of nutritious and delicious flavor. Varieties of shoots are growing in the greenhouse at Pleasant Valley Farm and Green Jeans Market Farm.

10. Beef Jerky
Muddy Trail Jerky offers handcrafted beef jerky in 13 flavors. Sweet, savory, or spicy options include Bourbon Barbecue, Habanero Mango, Bacon & Molasses just for starters. Visit their stand for over 50 varieties of dips, rubs, seasonings, and meal starters. Is beef not your thing? Try Zen Jerky by Vital Eats. This flavorful, plant-based jerky is packed with protein.

Love Found at the Farmers’ Market

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By Emily Meagher

Photo courtesy of Something’s Brewing

This time of year, the farmers’ market is inspired by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s Health and Wellness Week. Meanwhile, our vendors are also preparing for Valentine’s Day. The result is a special market focused on gifts from the heart as well as food that is good for the heart and overall health.

Tomorrow, prepare for Valentine’s Day by finding gifts that are meaningful and tasty. The Chocolate Spoon will have memorable homemade strawberry marshmallows that are perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. Pucker’s Pickles will have a limited supply of their very special fermented cherries. And, of course, there will also be chocolate in various forms – like velvety chocolate cheesecake at Grandma Apple’s and a Valentine’s Day trio special (including passion, violet, and cacao nib bars) at Saratoga Chocolate Co. Or, say ‘I love you’ with a gift bag of chocolate coffee and toffee from Something’s Brewing.

Mangiamo, photo by Pattie Garrett

Is a romantic dinner more your style? The farmers’ market has the region’s freshest ingredients. Mangiamo will have pasta rolled and cut to order. The Vermont Spätzle Company will have gluten-free spätzle. You will find the finest cuts of meat from local farms along with the best cooking instructions. Take your pick of beef, chicken, pork, lamb, goat or even fish and seafood. Local farms will have leafy greens like bok choy, swiss chard, microgreens, and kale. And, tables will also be stocked with apples, beets, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, winter squash, and much more. After dinner, share some local cheese or maybe sip some locally distilled spirits.

While shopping for the person on your heart, consider heart health too. Eating fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables is crucial for a healthy lifestyle.

Pleasant Valley Farm, photo by Pattie Garrett

We invite you to share the love and to experience the love at tomorrow’s farmers’ market. Eat Smart NY will have healthy snack samples and recipe ideas. There will also be free Valentine cards to write and take and toe-tapping music by Craic Agus Ceol.

Our close-knit community of vendors and customers, weekly musicians and guests make for a joyous place full of friends. So bring your date, family, or friends with you to enjoy a shared outing at the farmers’ market.

 

This week’s recipe: Pasta with Spinach and Ricotta

Pickled Beets

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Recipe by Sandy Arnold, owner of Pleasant Valley Farm
Makes 4 quarts




Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market
● 4 qts beets*, cooked and sliced
● 3 cups apple cider vinegar*
● 2 cups water
● 1 ½ to 2 ½ cups sugar
● 2 tsp whole allspice
● 3 inch cinnamon stick
● ½ tsp whole cloves
● 1 tsp salt
● Onions*, chopped (optional)

Instructions
Combine all ingredients except beets. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer 15 minutes. Add beets, cover, and simmer 5 minutes. Pack beets in hot sterilized canning jars. Pour syrup over beets and fill to within ½ inch of top. If there is not enough liquid, add a mix of boiling water and vinegar. Seal immediately and process 30 minutes in hot water bath canner. If you are not familiar with canning, you can refer to the Blue Book for instructions or you can place the pickled beets in the refrigerator for several days before eating. They will last several weeks in the refrigerator or several months if canned.

The Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Rich in Recipes and History

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By Catherine Morba

Since its original publication in 2002, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market Cookbook has existed on shelves as a piece of market history. The cookbook pays homage to the founding of the Saratoga Farmers’ Market in the late summer of 1978, when a small but determined group of vendors began selling in the Spring Street parking lot. It’s a treasure trove of favorites gathered from vendors and shoppers and written in their own voices, many of whom are still selling at or supporting the present day market.

Over the coming weeks, the cookbook will be digitized and posted on the Saratoga Farmers’ Market website (saratogafarmersmarket.org) for all to enjoy. In the meantime, here is a sneak preview in time for the holidays. Jars of pickled beets or loaves of onion and caraway bread could be made in larger batches for homemade gifts, or enjoyed midwinter for a bit of cheer long after the festivities have passed.

Sweet Potato and Cranberry Sauté, Recipe by Liza Porter, cookbook editor and former owner of Homestead Artisans & Longview Farm

Pickled Beets, Recipe by Sandy Arnold, owner of Pleasant Valley Farm

Onion & Caraway Bread, recipe by Anna Mae Clark, founding market member and owner of Clark Dahlia Gardens & Greenhouses and Anna Mae’s Homemade Jam