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sugaring season

Sugaring Season is Changing, But So Are Producers

March 20, 2020 By marketeditor

By Olivia Glaser, SFM Intern

The New York State Plastic Bag Ban, which was implemented on March 1 under the Plastic Waste Reduction Law, continues the effort to reduce plastic waste introduced into the environment.  Plastic grocery bags are no longer available, and consumers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags for shopping.  For Gina Willis of Slate Valley Farms, post-consumer waste has been a hot topic with her maple and honey production.

Glass bottles at Slate Valley Farms, photo by Pattie Garrett

Willis sells maple in 16 and 32 ounce glass jars in addition to the standard plastic jugs of maple syrup. This reusable, zero-waste packaging works on a closed-loop system: customers put down a 50 cent deposit on their jars and when they bring them back, they can either get their 50 cents back or put it towards their next purchase.  Willis cleans the jars by boiling and sanitizing them in her autoclave machine.  She explains that her great grandmother also packaged syrup this way when she ran the family farm.  The packaging started as glass jars and switched to ceramic jugs, tins (which Willis still sells as a novelty product), and then plastic.

As I was talking to Willis at the Market, Julia, a customer of Slate Valley Farm stopped by to return her glass jar, calling choosing glass over plastic “the intuitive choice.” She chooses jars as they are reusable, recyclable, and she uses them to store granola at home before returning them.

Gina Willis from Slate Valley Farms, photo by Pattie Garrett

Willis has noticed a shift among her consumers, who are more concerned about their plastic use.  By giving them the chance to purchase a zero waste product, it’s win-win for her and the consumer.

Given the effect of our changing climate on her operation, Willis explains that “things have definitely changed” over the course of her life. The sugaring season used to start in March and run through April.  Now, the warmer season comes early and she can see the difference as early as January.  A long spring is necessary for a successful harvest, as temperatures must be freezing at night and above freezing during the day for the sap to run.  A maple season, which used to be about eight weeks long, can now be as short as three or four weeks.  “You need spring!” she emphasizes.

For Willis, sugaring is ultimately getting more expensive in addition to the climate-related difficulties.  “It’s testing me,” she explains, but adds enthusiastically that “I’ll always do this.”

This week’s recipe: Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Filed Under: Featured Article, homepage feature, News Tagged With: climate change, maple syrup, plastic bag ban, Slate Valley Farms, sugaring, sugaring season, sustainability

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Who’s excited for summer markets? We sure are! K Who’s excited for summer markets? We sure are! Keep reading below for the full official list of 2021 summer vendors. Here’s a reminder that we will be in two locations for the summer season starting May 1st:

-Every Saturday 9-1 in the Wilton Mall parking lot
-Every Wednesday 3-6 at High Rock Park

Saturday Vendors:

518 Farms
Argyle Cheese Factory
Balet Flowers & Design, LLC
Ballston Lake Apiaries
Big Breath Wellness
Bunker Hill Organic LLC
Burger Farm
Capital Greens NY 
Charlton Woodworking
Daily Fresh
Dancing Ewe Farm
Elihu Farm
Euro Delicacies
Feathered Antler
Fossil Stone Farms
Freddy’s Rockin’ Hummus
Giovanni Fresco
Gómez Veggie Ville
Grandma Apple’s Cheesecakes, LLC
Grazin Acres Farm
Green Jeans Market Farm
Hebron Valley Veal
Junbucha
Kokinda Farm
Leaning Birch Farm
Left Field
Longlesson Farm
Lovin’ Mama Farm
M & A Farm
Mariaville Mushroom Men
Mirage Waterless LLC
Moon Cycle Seed Company
Moxie Ridge Farm
Mrs Londons
Muddy Trail Jerky Co.
Mugzy’s Barkery
Native Farm Flowers
Nettle Meadow
Night Work Bread
Old Tavern Farm
Old World Farm
Owl Wood Farm
Petra Pocket Pies
Pleasant Valley Farms
Puckers Gourmet
Pura Vida Fisheries, Inc
R&G Cheesemakers 
Ramble Creek Farm
Saratoga Apple
Saratoga Chocolate Co. 
Saratoga Crackers
Saratoga Garlic Company
Saratoga Peanut Butter Co.
Saratoga Spicery
Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff
Scotch Ridge Berry Farm
Slate Valley Farms
Slovonian European Cafe
Slyboro Cider House
Something’s Brewing
Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery
Squash Villa Farm
Talmadge’s Vegetables
The Chocolate Spoon
The Food Florist
The Smoothie Shoppe INC
TogaNola Snack Company, LLC
Underwood’s Greenhouse/Shushan Valley Hydro Farm
Vashiti’s Kitchen Delights
Yankee Distillers LLC

Wednesday Vendors:

Burger Farm
Euro Delicacies
Gifford Farms
Gómez Veggie Ville
Left Field
Mister Edge Sharpening
Nine Pine Soup and Design
Old World Farm
Owl Wood Farm
Saratoga Apple
Saratoga Garlic Company
Scotch Ridge Berry Farm
Squash Villa Farm
The Chocolate Spoon
The Food Florist
The Mushroom Shop
Underwood’s Greenhouse/Shushan Valley Hydro Farm
Vashiti’s Kitchen Delights
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#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #farmersmarket #summer #upstateny #farmersmarketfresh
Happy National Garlic Day! We’re celebrating wit Happy National Garlic Day! We’re celebrating with some of our favorite Saratoga Garlic aioli🧄

What’s your favorite aioli flavor? Let us know in the comments👇

Find @saratogagarlic at our winter market every Saturday from 9:30-1:30 at the Wilton Mall and starting in May at our summer markets (Saturday 9-1 at Wilton Mall and Wednesday 3-6 at High Rock Park)
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#saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #saratoga #upstateny #farmersmarketfinds #garlic #saratogagarlic #garlicaioli #nationalgarlicday #saratogaeats
This Saturday will be a great one: Owl Wood Farm's This Saturday will be a great one: Owl Wood Farm's fresh veggies are back! Plus find discounts on @nettlemeadowfarm cheeses, new flavors of infused maple syrup at @slatevalleyfarms, and more. Stop by the market 9:30am-1:30pm - we'll be outdoors again in the Bon-Ton/Bow Tie parking lot!

📸: @mysaratogakitchentable
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#farmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #eatfresh #shoplocal #518
We are honored to be nominated as one of the Best We are honored to be nominated as one of the Best Farmers’ Markets in the Saratoga Region for Saratoga Today’s Best of 2021! Thank you to everyone who continues to shop local and show their support!

You can vote for us once a day daily until 4/22 under the “Fun & Leisure” category using the link below:
 https://www.saratogatodaynewspaper.com/best-of-2021#//
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#saratogatoday #saratoga #saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #bestfarmersmarket #shoplocal #shopsaratoga #upstateny #saratogany #supportlocal

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