Saratoga Springs: Saturday, May 1st marks the opening of the 32nd Saratoga Farmers’ Market summer season under the pavilions on High Rock Avenue. On hand to assist with will be NYS Commissioner of Agriculture Patrick Hooker, Saratoga County Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Director Bill Schwerd, and CCE Agriculture Economic Development Extension Educator for Saratoga and Washington Counties Paula Schafer. Special activities at the market on opening day in addition to live music, will be a station where children will be able to turn a paper plate into their favorite flower. Adults and children are encouraged to wear a hat when they attend the first summer season market, the wilder the better! This show of hats will add to the festive spirit of opening day and it will also demonstrate the wearer’s support for a variety of causes, including: the Farmers’ Market, May Day, the Kentucky Derby and/or support for racing in Saratoga Springs. From May through October the market will be open from 9am to 1pm on Saturday and from 3pm to 6pm on Wednesday.
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market, the area’s longest running farmers’ market is comprised of local vendors who must grow or produce what they sell. Customers are treated to the freshest produce as it is harvested in season. The use of green houses by some producers allows variety year round, fooling Mother Nature. At the opening day market look for fresh spinach, mesclun, arugula, ramps, herbs, hydroponic tomatoes and fiddleheads. Apples beets, carrots, potatoes, and celeriac will also be available along with a variety of bedding plants, and the abundance will continue to expand as the growing season gets underway in the growers’ well tended fields. Also available will be dairy products including milk, ice cream, yogurt, and cheese, plus baked goods, meats and eggs. Some farms are now creating delectable “heat and eat” entrees made from their products. Other items for sale include, but are not limited to: be soap, jam, honey, pottery, and mushrooms.
