"Meet You at the Market"
Food & Community at Area Farmers' Markets
by Constance Young

As I look out at the giant maple tree in front of my house awakened from its winter's sleep and the faded daffodils across the street I think about the farmer's markets and roadside fruit and vegetable stands that will soon dot the landscape. Residents and visitors to the Mid-Hudson Valley are privileged to have a wide assortment of farms, farmstands and farmers' markets that provide residents and visitors alike not only fresh produce and other foods, plants, herbs, and specialty goods, but also a sense of community and delight.

Rhinebeck. One of the largest markets in the area, the Rhinebeck Farmers Market brings to Rhinebeck what so many people treasure about the town, says local author, Jan Greenberg, who is on the Market Board. "The Rhinebeck Market offers place to gather--but more than that, it allows people to see where their food comes from, and understand the connection between the food on their plate and who produces it," she explains. "Last of all, it gives people access to probably the best tasting, most flavorful, most carefully and safely raised food that is available anywhere."

The Rhinebeck market is in its eighth year and has the support of 28 local businesses that sustain the market's program of weekly music. They are now home to 27 vendors who sell everything from organic fruits and vegetables to wines, cut flowers, and soaps. Some of the vendors: Breezy Hill Orchard, Cascade Mountain Winery, Clinton Vineyard, Hawthorne Valley Farm, La Terre Garlic Farm, Mead Orchard, Our Daily Bread, Popovich Provisions, Spring Wood Farm, Tivoli Bread & Baking. According to organizer Pamela Herrick, the Committee works hard all year to find new and interesting local products. The Rhinebeck Farmers Market, in Village Parking Lot E, runs every Sunday from 10am to 2pm from Memorial Day through Thanksgiving week. This year's special events will include "Fresh Greens" on opening day, May 26; "Strawberry Day," on June 16; "Mushroom Day" on June 30; "Currant Cookery" on July 14; "Corn Roast"on July 28; "Sunflower Day' on August 18; "Tomato Day" on September 1; "Apple Day" on September 15; "Pumpkin Day" on October 6, and "Halloween Market" on October 27.

Millbrook. "Our market is a good staple of the community. People like it a lot," says Laura Palmer, who organizes the Millbrook Farmers' Market, located on Front Street and now in its 11th season. The Market, which is supported by the Millbrook Business Association, runs from 9am through 1pm on Saturdays from May through October. According to Palmer, last year they had 20 vendors, alternating according to the products, which include herbs, fruits and vegetables, cheese, dressings and marinades, wines, and bakery goods. Their events include cooking demonstrations, raffles and book signings. All local non-profit organizations in the area are offered free booths. There is live music once a month.

Kingston. The Kingston Farmers Market takes place in uptown Kingston at the end of Wall Street between John and North Front Street on Saturdays between 9 and 2pm--rain or shine. According to the Market's organizer Karen Fitzgerald, who is the proprietor of the Kingston gift shop, The Well-Seasoned Nest, "If it rains, people can stay under the covered walkways overhanging the sidewalks, which were designed and constructed in the 1970's by the Woodstock artist John Pike."

According to Fitzgerald, this is the market's third season. During its first year there were 14 vendors and there are now 30 vendors, who range from organic and non-organic producers of fresh fruit and vegetables, cut flower vendors, coffees, cheeses, ice Moccachino. "You can spend an afternoon--eating lunch at the eateries along the strip," says Fitzgerald. A grant from the New York State Agriculture and Markets is allowing them to improve their sound system and buy French Country Benches, she claims. "There is a strong sense of community here. People bring families, meet with friends, and share food together," Fitzgerald adds.

The Kingston Farmers' Market makes special provision for children, offering storytelling, puppeteers, music, chef demonstrations (from Kingston Cooks, Gadaleto's Fish Market, etc.) and demonstrations by Pat Reppert, "the garlic lady" from Saugerties. Music is by the grassroots Heinzovino band and the "Flying Fiddlers" a children's fiddle band. According to Fitzgerald, "We would like to round out the market by bringing in products we don't already have, and possibly open it to artists and antique dealers. There are lots of galleries in uptown Kingston now."

Other Farmers' Markets. In Dutchess County, the towns of Poughkeepsie and Pleasant Valley also hold Farmers Markets and there are markets in Columbia County. Arlington Farmers Markets runs from June 6 to October 31 on Thursdays between 3 and 7pm at Raymond & Collegeview Avenues in Poughkeepsie. Poughkeepsie Farmers Market runs from Late May through October on Friday and Saturday between 10am and 3pm in Earline Patrice Park, Mansion Square; and the Pleasant Valley Farmers Market runs on Fridays from June 14 through October 25 between 3 and 7pm at Maggiacoma Lane, Grand Union Plaza.

Among the many markets in Columbia County are those in Chatham (Fridays 3-5pm, Parking area, Kinderhook Union Bank, Depot Square); Hudson (Saturdays 9am-1pm, North 6th and Columbia Street); and Kinderhook (Saturday 8am-12noon, Village Square, Rt. 9). For information about Columbia County's markets and farms go to www.columbiacountyny.org/country/countrylist.htm.

Farm Stands & Markets

Dutchess and Columbia counties also have a huge array of farms, farm stands and markets that provide everything from "pick your own" fruits to pumpkins, vegetables in season, fresh pies, cider and donuts, trees and shrubs, gift shops that carry everything from jams to crafts - and more. Some of the largest and most diversified farm markets include Adams Fairacre Farms in Poughkeepsie and Kingston (Daily, 845-454-4330), Barton Orchards in Beekman and LaGrange (contact 845-227-2306 and 845-471-2879); Breezy Hill Orchards in Clinton (from June through December; contact 845-266-5967), Greig Farm and Farm Market in Red Hook (April through December 845-758-1234), Montgomery Place Farm Market in Red Hook (from mid-June through Thanksgiving, primarily fruits, 845-758-6338) Hawthorne Valley Farm in Harlemville (518-672-7500), McEnroe Organic Farm Market in Millerton (open all year, 518-789-4191), Red Oaks Mill Farm in LaGrange (from May through November 845-462-8003). For a complete listing of farms in Dutchess County go to www.dutchesstourism.com/far.asp or call the Cornell Cooperative Extension 845-677-8223.