The Saugerties Farmers’ Market opened its season on a nearly perfect day, sunny and warm but not hot. The opening day drew a large crowd, and several new vendors provided a mixture of meats, vegetables and many non-food items. The market this year has a new manager, Beth Troxell.
An increasing number of vendors of other products are joining the farmers. Some vendors sell health products based on foods. Devon Wolney had a booth to sell turmeric products for headaches, cuts, scrapes, joint pain, inflammation and similar ailments. While turmeric is a spice used in several ethnic cuisines, the market booth sells it primarily as a health product. Turmeric is grown in three places, one of which is the Bruderhof community in Ulster County, said Judith Spektor, a member of the market board.
Bread and other bakery products are also sold by Our Daily Bread, Sunporch Baked Goods (gluten-free), and Violet’s Bakery.
Mary Katherine Ibbetson will be making and selling kettle corn starting in late June.
Vendors of prepared foods, much of it served on paper plates for consumption at the market, included Ohana Café and Delicioso Deli and Bistro, plus Benedetta and Giovanni Barbaro, who sell cooked vegan food from a food truck.
Other non-food items were creams and lotions, candles and soaps (Coco’s jewelry (Little Blueberry, Mary Zydel, and Mind, Body and Bath). Wine was available from two vintners, Blue Sky Farm and Winery, and Whitecliff Vineyard.
At the traditional ribbon-cutting, Barry Benepe, a leader in the national development of farmers’ markets, told the politicians lined up for the ceremonial photo-op that he wanted to see all of them back every week. “We have a terrific roster of farmers, wonderful foods,” he said, “and the market grows during the summer.”
The market keeps adding new farmers and vendors, Benepe said. A number of vendors don’t come to opening day, but will appear later in the season as their late-ripening vegetables reach maturity. Others will show up as their scheduled permit.
Market manager Troxell is not new to farmers’ market operations. “I kind of revitalized a market in Pennsylvania,” she said. But, she said, her significant experience comes from being a drama teacher. “But it’s all the same to me,” she said. “It’s all theater.”
With the complexity of arranging the vendors, making sure there was enough space, and that everyone was properly placed. Troxell was kept busy. She excused herself. “It’s almost ten [the market opening time],” she said, “and I have to get all these cars moved.”
Saugerties Farmers’ Market. Saturdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m., May 25 through October 26. Fresh and local foods of all kinds, music, & Kids Art Corner. 115 Main St., Saugerties, 845-681-1160, Contact@SaugertiesFarmersMarket.com, saugertiesfarmersmarket.com.
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