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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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Do you live in the City of Saratoga Springs? If y Do you live in the City of Saratoga Springs?  If you do please vote for us to become part of this special city funding so that we can add a Fresh Tent to our Market. 
This funding will allow us to provide a FRESH TENT that will include not just the supplies to make it happen, but taste testings and recipes for the community, education for children and a $2 coupon when we host the Fresh Tent which will be for 8 weeks in duration.
We need your support to make this happen and appreciate everyone who takes the time to vote for the Saratoga Farmers' Market.
#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆
We are here today! Amazing music … fantastic ve We are here today!  Amazing music … fantastic vendors … added crafters … and we’re here until 1:30!
#saratogafarmersmarket
We are excited about tomorrow's Holiday Craft Fair We are excited about tomorrow's Holiday Craft Fair  at Wilton Mall in the food court.
Here are some of the vendor highlights. We look forward to seeing you from 9:30 to 1:30 to celebrate the holidays.
* Hepatica Farm: Holiday Egg Sale: get 2 dozen of our Pastured Certified Organic Eggs for $12 or 1 dozen for $8. We also have ground chicken.
* Muddy Trail: We have 8 varieties including Alphabet Soup, Fiesta Chicken Tortilla, Ginger Scallion Ramen, Spinach Tortellini & more.  Serves 6-8! 
* Mugzy's Barkery: Mugzy's Barkery offers a variety of gift items. Pre-orders for Custom Bones begin now!  Text 518-573-0400, message us on fb or insta, or email  mugzysbarkery@gmail.com 
* Jireh Organic Farms & Livestock: Purchase $40 of meat - get Non-GMO Eggs half price!  GMO Free Pork: Bacon, Hams, Tenderloins, Hot Italian Sausage links, Breakfast Sausage, Ground Pork, Hocks, Organs and more!! GMO Free Chickens (whole & cut-ups), soup parts, feet for bone broth / collagen, livers, etc....
* Owl Wood Farm: Come out this Saturday to get delicious greens for the week. We still have a full selection. We plan to be attending a couple more markets so stock up on bulk root bags.
* Saratoga Peanut Butter:pick up our Classic and Holiday gift sets.
* Squash Villa Farm: Find us INSIDE starting this Saturday with our delicious meats and more.
* Scotch Ridge Berry & Tree Farm: Scotch Ridge will have our farm made all natural Christmas decorations available just outside the main market entrance each Saturday until Christmas. 
* Vashti's Kitchen Delights: Come and enjoy the fusion of Caribbean and American flavors at Vashti's Kitchen Delights. Our authentic cuisine is prepared with fresh herbs and spices! 
* Nally Coffee: Get a FREE cup of coffee with your purchase of any 1lb bag of coffee!
* Lovin’ Mama Farms: Happy December!  We have 5 greenhouses loaded with greens and potted herbs, and coolers full of storage roots.  It's amazingly fun and creative to eat local this time of year with seasonal greens and root veggies. 
* Hebron Valley Meats: We will be missing the farmers market this week but look forward to seeing everyone at the 12/9 market. 
#saratogafarmersmarket
This weekend discover fabulously fresh products fo This weekend discover fabulously fresh products for all of your holiday baking…
* Buttermilk and Greek yogurt from Argyle Cheese Farmer.
* Honey, which makes a fantastic sweetener in many recipes, can be found at Ballston Lake Apiaries and Slate Valley Farms, as can maple syrup, which you can also find at Slate Valley Farms.
* Applesauce, cider, and fresh apples are always available at Saratoga Apple; equally good alternative sweeteners to consider, and applesauce can be an excellent replacement for oils in many recipes.
* Looking for deliciously locally made jams that are perfect for thumbprint cookies, Linzer cookies, and anything jam-filled? Visit Kokinda Farm.
* Consider making your peanut butter cookies pop this holiday season with unique flavors from Saratoga Peanut Butter.
* Are you making Tiramisu? Grab locally fresh-roasted coffee from Nally Coffee.
* And, of course, there are fresh farm eggs at Hepatica Farm, Grazin’ Acres Farm, and Jireh Organic Farm & Livestock.
* Is bread pudding on your holiday menu? Grab that main bread base from Katie Bakes Gluten-Free, NightWork Bread, or The Bread Butler.
* And check out Muddy Trail and their Perpetual Vanilla; it’s fantastic. They also have nine convenient baking mixes to browse and explore!
If you don’t want to bake, that’s A-OK, too! The Saratoga Farmers’ Market has the non- baker, ‘need a break,’ or ‘need something quick’ covered too. Just visit one of the pre-
made sweet treat vendors;
Goodway Gourmet
Katie Bakes Gluten-Free
NightWork Bread
Parchment Baking Company
Sweet Treats by Jennifer
Perogi, Pierogi, Pyroogi
#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #bakingseasonhasbegun #holidaybakingbegins #locallymadegoods

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