The mid-summer harvest is coming in and farmers nationwide are bringing their bounty to an increasing number of direct-sale markets this summer. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsak proclaimed this week, August 5 – 11, National Farmers Market Week and kicked-off the week with a release on Friday of a 2012 survey of farmers markets. The news release reports the number of farmers markets nationwide has increased this year by 9.6 percent; New York ranks second nationwide with 647 markets. California leads the nation with 827 markets.
“Farmers markets are a critical ingredient to our nation’s food system. These outlets provide benefits not only to the farmers looking for important income opportunities, but also to the communities looking for fresh, healthy foods.” – USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan
The USDA has been working with local markets to ensure fresh produce is available to people of all income levels and has made more than $4 million available for equipment that allows shoppers to use debit cards, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit cards.
President Obama’s 2013 fiscal budget includes $10 million for communities to improve access to healthy food markets as part of the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. This initiative seeks to lower health care costs by preventing disease caused by poor nutrition.
Here in Warren County the farmers markets have become more than just a place to buy fresh zucchini and tomatoes; the markets have a festival atmosphere, offering live music, locally produced wines, cheeses, baked goods and crafts. The Glens Falls and Queensbury markets are equipped to take debit and SNAP benefit cards. Shoppers can find a farmers market operating almost each day of the week this summer.
Local Farmers Markets (Updated July 2016)
Mondays, 3 – 6 p.m., June 4 through October 29, 1043 State Route 9 (Davidson Brothers Brewery), Queensbury, N.Y.
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., June 20 through October 10, Chestertown Town Hall (across from the Grand Union) 6307 State Route 9, Chestertown, N.Y.
Thursdays, 3 – 6 p.m., June through October, Adirondack Tri-County Nursing Home Lawn
112 Ski Bowl Road, North Creek, NY
Fridays, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through the end of October, 176 River Street (across from Curtis Lumber), Warrensburg.
Fridays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., June 22 through October 5, Blessed Sacrament Church, 7 Goodman Avenue, Bolton Landing.
Summer Market – Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., May through October, South Street Pavilion, Glens Falls
Winter Market – Saturdays, 9 a.m. – noon, November through April, Sanford Street School, 10 Sanford Street, Glens Falls, NY.