NORWICH – Despite the recent cold snap that brought frost to parts of the region Monday night, plans to get the Chenango County Farmers Market underway for another season have not been detered as Farmers Market coordinators make final preparations for opening day in just a few weeks.
The Chenango Farmers Market takes to the grounds of East Park beginning June 8 and will continue to do so every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the summer. While this year’s market brings the traditional homegrown food and locally made products back to the table, plans are to introduce new offerings this year and continue some of the same successful programs first introduced to the market last season.
“We have about 25 to 30 vendors with five new vendors, four of which are produce growers and one new culinary vendor, Buttercup Culinary, whose focus is all types of specialty baked good,” said Ken Walbrecht, president.
One primary focus this year, Walbrecht added, is to heighten awareness of “buy local campaigns,” including Farm Fresh and Eat and Support Local. The Farmers Market is also touting acceptance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT cards, which were made available at the market for the first time in 2012 through grant funds awarded to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County. The EBT machine will be made available again this year, thanks to state funding and help from local volunteers.
The Food Bank of Central New York is also pitching in this year to encourage healthier eating among SNAP recipients, Walbrecht said. For every $5 purchased via EBT, a $2 coupon will also be offered as a way for low-income households to acquire fresh fruits and vegetables.
Moreover, the Farmers Market continues its support of local musicians who can offer music in the park with market events, explained Charlotte Walbrecht, advertising and publicity director for the Chenango County Farmers Market. “We are still looking for volunteer local musicians and vocalists, groups who would like to volunteer to perform on Saturday mornings for as long as they are able,” she said. “Though our budget is limited, we will try to compensate in some way to thank those who volunteer.”
While drumming up interest among local vendors and patrons is key to making the market a success, the Walbrechts said they hope to see kids become more involved this year, too.
“We will be holding a Chenango County Farmers Market school age children’s poster contest,” said Charlotte Walbrecht. Contest prizes will be awarded to winning poster designers in four different categories: kindergarten through grade 2; grade 3-5; grade 6-8; and grade 9-12. “The grand prize overall winner, whose poster most accurately depicts the overall Chenango County Farmers Market appearance, atmosphere and experience, will have thier poster used as our official Chenango County Farmers Market poster.”
Lastly, the Farmers Market plans to celebrate its peak season with new cooking events, permitted by certification received from the Chenango County Board fo Health. “We hope to have a few cooking events this summer with free tastings for the public attending,” Charlotte Walbrecht said.
The Chenango County Farmers Market is still seeking vendors and volunteers to participate with this summer’s events. Those interested in learning more can contact the Walbrechts at 334-8310, or find the Chenango County Farmers Market on Facebook.