shop local

Farmers’ market opportunities empower local businesses

September 6, 2023 By marketeditor

By Julia Howard

Of all the reasons to love Saratoga Springs, its various locally-owned businesses
undoubtedly contribute, providing excellent shopping and dining and making it a fun and unique
city. Interestingly, one of the most positive effects of a thriving area supported by local
businesses is that it inspires more people to become business owners, continuing a positive cycle
that supports the local economy.

Since its opening in 1978, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market has rallied support for local
producers of all kinds, offering new and established businesses an opportunity to connect with
the community, brand their business, and grow. As the farmers’ market prepares to move to its
winter location at the Wilton Mall this November, they invite local producers to consider
opportunities to become a vendor.

“As the longest-running farmers’ market in Saratoga, we encourage local farms and
producers to apply to sell at our markets. We have a dedicated customer base excited to support
new vendors,” says Mark Bascom, president of the Saratoga Farmers’ Market Association.
While pursuing selling opportunities at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market is a simple process,
there are rules. All businesses must be within a 50-mile radius of Saratoga Springs, a standard
that keeps “local” authentic to the farmers’ market and its customers. The Saratoga Farmers’
Market also requires that products sold on-site must be grown or produced by the business
selling them, not manufactured elsewhere, and brought to the market.

The online application for the Saratoga Farmers’ Market’s Winter Market is currently
open and will close on September 15. Interested individuals can access the application at the
farmers’ market’s website, www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, and refer to “Vendors” at the top
menu. The farmers’ market offers affordable seasonal rates for November through April and also
an opportunity to sell products exclusively during the holiday season.

“Supporting and promoting local farmers is a priority,” explains SFMA vice-president
Beth Trattel. “The Saratoga Farmers’ Market provides an affordable opportunity for farms and
small businesses to showcase their products to a local audience.”

If you have any questions before applying, please contact the farmers’ market at
sfma.manager@gmail.com Farmers’ market staff will happily answer questions and assist
with the application process.

Link to application: https://managemymarket.com/landing.aspx?orgID=88

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Wednesdays from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. and
Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at High Rock Park in Downtown Saratoga. Find us online at
www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow
us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

Farmers’ Market Gazpacho

September 6, 2023 By marketeditor

Adapted from the recipe by Julia Moskin, featured in New York Times Cooking

Yields 8 to 12 servings, about 1 quart

Cook time: Approximately 20 minutes, plus chilling time
Ingredients

*Ingredients available at the farmers’ market

● About 2 pounds ripe red tomatoes*, cored and roughly cut into chunks
● 1 green pepper*, cored, seeded, and roughly cut into chunks
● 1 cucumber*, about 8 inches long, peeled and roughly cut into chunks
● 1 small mild onion* (white or red), peeled and roughly cut into chunks
● 1 clove garlic*
● 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar, more to taste
● Salt
● ½cup extra-virgin olive oil, more to taste, plus more for drizzling

Preparation

1. Combine tomatoes, pepper, cucumber, onion, and garlic in a blender or, if using a hand
blender, in a deep bowl. (If necessary, work in batches.) Blend at high speed until very
smooth, at least 2 minutes, pausing occasionally to scrape down the sides with a rubber
spatula.
2. With the motor running, add the vinegar and 11/2 teaspoons salt. Slowly drizzle in the
olive oil. The mixture will turn bright orange or dark pink and become smooth and
emulsified, like a salad dressing. If it still seems watery, drizzle in more olive oil until
texture is creamy. Optional: to ensure smooth consistency, strain the mixture through a
strainer or a food mill, pushing all the liquid through with a spatula or the back of a ladle.
3. Transfer to a large pitcher and chill until very cold, at least 6 hours or overnight.
4. Before serving, adjust the seasonings with salt and vinegar. If soup is very thick, stir in a
few tablespoons ice water. Serve in glasses, over ice if desired, or in a bowl. A few
drops of olive oil on top are a nice touch.

Crafting Smoothies with Seasonal Market Finds

August 23, 2023 By marketeditor

By Graciela Colston

As the summer sun carries on and temperatures stay high into the fall, there’s nothing quite as refreshing and cool as a nutrient-packed smoothie. The combination of vibrant flavors, invigorating ingredients, and the ability to pack in various nutritional powerhouse ingredients make smoothies the ultimate go-to treat for the summer season. If you’re wondering what you can find at the market and tips for crafting these beverages to perfection, look no further – we’ve got you covered!

Upstate New York’s produce is in its prime this time of year. When browsing the market for smoothie ingredients, you’ll stumble upon classic staples and unique finds. With their high water content, cucumbers provide a refreshing and hydrating base for your summer blends. Celery and kale bring a crisp earthiness that complements the sweetness of fruits. Raspberries are full of antioxidants and add vibrant color and tangy flavor, while beets infuse your smoothie with earthy richness.

Grab some bee pollen and raw honey from Ballston Lake Apiaries or Slate Valley Farms to bring out the natural sweetness and an extra dose of nutrition. Pick up protein at Saratoga Peanut Butter, with fun varieties and exciting flavors, including “Just Almonds” butter. Stop by the Argyle Cheese Farmer for Greek yogurt, a great option for thickening smoothies. Add apple cider vinegar from Awakened Tonics or seed-cycling blends from Moon Cycle to support total health.

Once you get home from the market, start by freezing fruits to maintain freshness and enhance creaminess. Frozen fruits result in a consistency that’s icy but drinkable. Haley Gerarde, owner of Jenny Joe’s Smoothies, emphasizes prepping in the freezer: “At Jenny Jo’s, we do not use any water or ice in our smoothies. Freezing your fruit ahead of time is a great ‘hack’ to gain that desired consistency and temperature for your smoothie without having to use ice, which essentially waters down the smoothie.” If it’s too thick, you can always add juice, coconut water, or your favorite choice of milk, plant-based or cow.

Scotch Ridge Berry Farm Raspberries by Graciela Colston

As the market stalls burst with seasonal delights, embrace the world of summertime superfood smoothies. Create your own blends, explore the market’s offerings, and craft a cooling concoction that nourishes your body and delights your taste buds.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Wednesdays from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at High Rock Park in Downtown Saratoga. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

Eating with the seasons – even in February

February 16, 2023 By marketeditor

By Himanee Gupta

One belief about eating local is that we cannot do it in February. The ground is frozen. Nothing is growing. It is cold.

We grit our teeth as we head for the grocery store, knowing that what we’ll find will have traveled several hundred miles and will not be cheap.

Pretty bleak?

It need not be.

While it is true that farmers cannot grow much in frozen soil, they still can offer foods grown, raised, or made at their farms. That is what the Saratoga Farmers Market brings you every Saturday. Even though the offerings and number of vendors are smaller at this time of year, there’s good stuff available for delicious meals throughout the week.

Consider:

Soups made with butternut squash, carrots, turnips, and potatoes. Gomez Veggie Ville and Lovin’ Mama Farms have these classic winter vegetables. Cook them with bone broths from King’s Creek Farm or simply water. For a creamy touch, give the soup a light puree with a blender, and then stir in some A2 milk from the Argyle Cheese Farmer. Put some microgreens from the Perfect Plant Farm on top.

A2 milk from Argyle Cheese Farmer, photo by Madison Jackson

Meats. Chicken, duck, goat, pork, beef, and veal are currently available. Think about roasts, stews, meatloaf, chili, casseroles, and burgers – just to get started. Farm-raised meat might seem expensive by the pound. However, many cuts are available in smaller packages, such as stew meats and chops. And our meat producers are good cooks who know how to prepare a larger cut, such as a roast or a whole duck or chicken, and also how to create marvelous second, third, or even fourth meals with leftovers. They’re happy to share their tips. Stop by the tables of Hebron Valley, Hepatica, Jireh, King’s Creek, Longlesson, and Squash Villa farms, and ask.
Homemade sides and treats. In addition to sweet and savory baked goods are stuffed dates, pickled beets and cabbages, jams, cheeses, granola mixes, and hummus. Combining farm-made foods with vegetables and meats can add a healthy, flavorful balance to winter meals. Look for such items at Kokinda Farms, Nightwork Bread, Puckers Gourmet Pickles, Parchment, Sweet Prophecy, and The Cookie Lab, among others.

And the days are getting longer, so popular items such as eggs, spinach, kale, and salad greens are becoming more available.
One trick for making the most of a farmers market visit both now and year-round: Treat your shopping list as a guide, not a rule. Take in all of what the market offers. Let yourself make changes and substitutions because you can. That’s what makes eating local possible and exciting, even in February.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Wilton Mall Food Court. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

Connecting businesses with the community since 1978

January 19, 2023 By marketeditor

By Julia Howard

Running a small business can be both liberating and challenging. While new and established businesses have different priorities, knowing and understanding customers’ needs is always at the center. Vendors at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market observe this first-hand.

Sarah Avery of Moon Cycle Seed Co., photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

“In my opinion, it’s the best place to incubate new products and ideas,” said Shane Avery in an interview on his businesses Junbucha and Earth to Mind. “You get instant feedback, and customers’ reviews are honest, accurate, and high-quality.”

Many business owners at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market share Avery’s sentiments. Customer interactions provide an excellent opportunity to create a positive experience and build relationships that are the foundation of a successful business.

Lovin’ Mama Farm, photo by Pattie Garrett

Lindsay Fisk of Owl Wood Farm shared similar feedback in a past interview. “We like the idea of farmers’ markets because we get to meet the customers and get to know them, and they get to know us,” said Fisk. “We also decided on farmers’ markets as an outlet when we started because we felt we could have more flexibility with what we could bring and not feel the pressure from pursuing wholesale outlets.”

This year marks the Saratoga Farmers’ Market’s 45th anniversary, an achievement that can be attributed to the diverse business community with that they have had the opportunity to grow. They hope to inspire new and established businesses to explore vendor opportunities in their markets.

The online application for the summer season of outdoor markets on Wednesdays, 3-6 pm, and Saturdays, 9 am-1 pm, at High Rock Park is currently open. These markets will run from May through the end of October. The Clifton Park Farmers’ Market, their affiliate, is also accepting applications for Mondays, 2-5 pm, at the Shenendehowa United Methodist Church parking lot. The application for these three markets is open until January 31, 2023.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is known for hosting various businesses. Local farms, artisans, crafters, and specialty and ready-to-eat food makers are welcome to apply. Businesses must be within a 50-mile radius of Saratoga Springs, and all products must be made or grown locally.

For more information, visit saratogafarmersmarket.org/vendor. You will find detailed information on the farmers’market, seasonal application dates, and a link to the vendor application.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Wilton Mall Food Court. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

Fall trends at the farmers’ market

September 28, 2022 By marketeditor

By Julia Howard

The whoosh of fall is here. It’s the time of year when we trade beach bags for light jackets, mums and pumpkins replace annual outdoor flowers, and summer salads give way to warm, comforting meals. While our lives are busy with obligations and activities, here are some ideas to slow down and get in the season’s spirit.

Fall Decor

The season’s harvest of pumpkins and gourds of all shapes, sizes, and textures encourages creativity in indoor and outdoor decor. Hardy fall plants such as mums and flowering kale offer a fresh burst of autumnal color to front steps and window boxes. You can also find cut flowers and stunning dried wreaths at the Wednesday and Saturday farmers’ markets.

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings with Roast Chicken, Green Peas, Celery and Carrots

Warm Meals

Cooler temperatures call for soups, stews, and oven-roasted meals that have the benefit of warming the house without turning on the heat. Fall produce such as squash, Brussels sprouts, and freshly dug potatoes are ideal for roasting with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stew meat, chicken, lamb, pork, and beef roasts are fall favorites. They are easy to prepare and result in flavorful meals.

Pumpkin Spice Everything

Love or loath, pumpkin spice is everywhere this time of year. Local producers do it right and use natural ingredients. From classic pumpkin pie by The Food Florist to pumpkin spice chèvre by Nettle Meadow, pumpkin spice products are aplenty at the farmers’ market. Are you looking to replicate the classic pumpkin pie spice yourself? Try Muddy Trail’s pumpkin streusel muffin mix and pumpkin pie seasoning (which is also excellent in pancakes on lattes, etc.).

Seasonal Comforts

Warm up with Feathered Antler’s soft knit hats and cozies as the temperature dips. Kim Dolan Designed has hand-dyed plush sweatshirts and long sleeve shirts. Kokinda Farm makes corn toasty warming pads perfect for relaxing and warming cold bed sheets. You can find comfort in a hot cup of locally roasted coffee or a custom tea blend from Something’s Brewing. Or maybe a Slate Valley Farms’ maple syrup drizzle on a steamy bowl of oatmeal. However you find comfort, fall encourages the pursuit.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at High Rock Park. The farmers’ market will move to the Wilton Mall on November 5. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

shop local

Before Footer

Instagram

Footer

With support from our friends at: