Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

The horse racing season in Saratoga Springs is on. Many people come to not only be part of the atmosphere of our country’s oldest track, but to also admire the beauty of the racing horses. The horses are amazing to watch, they are truly spectacular animals. I always catch my breath at the majestic beauty of the horses that come to Saratoga Springs to race. My wife and I remember the first time we came to Saratoga Springs, NY. We were both part of a corporate relocation to the area and looking for where to settle down with our two very young children. Walking through downtown and driving throughout the city, the energy of our incredible area hit us as we held each other’s hands. We knew immediately this was where we wanted to live and raise our family. 

Over the years, as our family and friends have visited us from various parts of the country, we have always felt a sense of pride in sharing with them all that our community has to offer. Summer in Saratoga Springs is a beautiful time for entertaining. This time of year calls for delicious foods, amazing drinks, and wonderful company. Refreshing summer cocktails are the perfect way to stay cool. Fruit cocktails are an ideal way to enjoy a summery drink. We are also planning to entertain our guests. However, before you can entertain your guests with a refreshing pineapple margarita or a strawberry mint Moscow mule, you’ll need the right tools to make them. Be prepared this summer by checking out these must have tools to make the perfect summer cocktail!

An essential tool to use to make a Mojito is a “muddler.” The muddler is basically a stick you use to smash ingredients into a bottom of a glass. It is used like a pestle to mash or muddle fruits, herbs, and spices. The classic muddler is a rod with a slight flare on one end and a flat surface or teeth on the other side. Both the flat surface and the teeth surface are appropriate for “muddling.” The purpose to “muddle” is to release fresh flavors to the liquid that will enhance your drink. Bartenders use a muddler to crush ingredients such as lemons, limes, and mint against the glass before pouring ice in. The muddler can also be used to stir a drink.

Cocktails are fun to make, especially when it comes to the SHAKE. Cocktail shakers are crucial in crafting your summer cocktails as all ingredients need to be muddled, poured and mixed with ice inside. 

Another important tool is the bar spoon. With its tall handle, a bar spoon is specifically designed to stir and mix various drinks by fitting all types of cocktail glasses. Its spiral handle works well when layering drinks and makes for a classy look.

The presentation of your drink is just as important as the quality of its flavor. Pouring your summer cocktail into a stunning glass and adding the appropriate garnishes will make for a picture-perfect cocktail you can enjoy poolside.

To make any cocktail worth the sip, you have to measure your concoction to correctly bring about the right flavors. Mixology is about precision, and you’ll want to serve your guests cocktails with the proper ratios. This is where the jigger comes in— a double-sided measuring tool that measures your favorite spirits to add to your favorite cocktails.

Whether you’re looking to make a quick cocktail for one or a big pitcher of frozen drinks to share, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are a perfect addition to any lazy weekend afternoon. There are plenty of options for every taste, depending on what you’re looking for, from sweet, fruity drinks ideal for cooling off after a hot day. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place for the accoutrements’ you need for entertaining and having those delicious summer cocktails! Sit back and relax with something refreshing as you entertain this summer. Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

Take Care, 

John & Paula

It’s hard to deny that mid-summer at the farmers’ market is where locally grown fruits and vegetables are most impressive. Ripe produce overflows from market tables; squash, cucumbers, lettuces, tomatoes. Selecting from the season’s bounty turns the chore of shopping into a thrill.

After you’ve made it through the market, hands aching and shoulders sore from carrying heavy shopping bags, you may wonder, “What am I going to do with all this food?” Cornell Cooperative Extension Nutrition Educator and Certified Master Food Preserver Diane Whitten encourages you to embrace summer’s abundance and prevent food waste by preserving fruit and vegetables.

“I want people to know that preserving is relatively easy. And for people currently canning and freezing, there are things you can do to enhance and preserve quality,” Whitten explains.

Whitten will host three workshops at the farmers’ market on Wednesdays this summer, focusing on food preservation techniques. On Wed, July 26, Diane will present on Freezing Fruits & Vegetables: Hacks to Ensure Quality. On August 30, the topic will be Dehydrating Fruits & Vegetables: Equipment, Tips, Tricks. On September 20, Whitten will teach Fermenting Vegetables: Let Nature Do the Work.

Whitten will share information on a food preservation method at each workshop from 3-6 pm, with 15-30 minute presentations at 3, 4, and 5 p.m. This workshop series is free and open to the public.

Whitten has taught food preservation techniques for Cornell Cooperative Extension for 20 years and has had a regular presence at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, sampling seasonal foods, sharing recipes, and offering nutrition information. She provides a wealth of knowledge, encouraging those interested in preserving food to use research-based recipes.

“A lot of online recipes are unsafe and can result in food poisoning, so I often refer people to recipes by the National Center for Home Food Preservation,” Whitten says.

In addition to three workshops at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, Whitten will host in-person classes at Cornell Cooperative Extension’s offices in Ballston Spa. On August 16, Whitten will teach about canning tomatoes and making salsa, and on September 19, Whitten will teach a class on fermentation. For more information on these classes, visit Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga County’s website. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at High Rock Park in downtown Saratoga. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

Hello  my Foodie Friends!   

I love to tell this story especially during the summer and thinking about being at the ocean. Our family has precious memories of our summer experiences being on the coast of New England. Prior to moving to Upstate New York, we lived on the coast of Connecticut. Our good neighbors and friends, Ron and Deedy, owned a fifty foot “boat” named “The Graduate” that they docked in West Greenwich, Rhode Island in Narragansett Bay. Weekend excursions included boating to Newport, Rhode Island or just hanging out on the boat. Ron was a master captain in boating and came from a military background in the Navy. He was also a master chef. Ron was always very proud driving “The Graduate,” and serving his crew incredible seafood dishes. Ahh…what fabulous memories of our rides. 

Our children were very young at the time of most of our adventures. There was one very special time when Ron allowed our three-year-old Johnny to take the helm and to sit in Ron’s chair to drive the boat. Johnny sat proudly with a very determined look in Ron’s captain’s chair, holding firmly onto the boat’s steering wheel and exclaimed “big boy driving the boat!” It was precious. Each summer that we were able to join Ron and Deedy on “The Graduate,” Ron would allow Johnny to take the helm and be the “big boy driving the boat.” These are among the special memories of being on the water, with amazing friends, breathing in the sea air and feeling it on your skin. 

With boating brought the feasting on spectacular seafood meals made by Ron and Deedy. Clams and oysters were one of Ron’s favorite seafood items to create delightful dishes with. Special tools that Ron would use included a clam and oyster knife and a cut proof glove. The clam knife was important for proper shucking of the clams. Once you learn the basics, shucking clams and oysters is not difficult. Practice makes perfect and the reward is delicious. It all starts in the preparation.

1. Make sure the clams you’re going to be shucking are alive. A clam shell that is open or opens easily by hand is dead. Throw away any open clams.

2. Clean your clams using a stiff brush under cold running water to remove any sand and salt.

3. You may skip this step, but soaking your clams will flush through any sand they may have inside. Use 1/3 of a cup of salt per gallon of cold water. Stir the salt until it dissolves. Soak the clams for 30-45 minutes then drain.

4. Either refrigerate your clams for at least an hour or pack them in ice for 30 minutes. This puts them to sleep and makes it easier for you to open them. I prefer the ice method.

5. Make sure you have a towel and a clam knife. 

This summer, make some seafood meals to remind you of the ocean and those precious memories you have made with friends and family. In my mind, I am dreaming of being the “big boy driving the boat!” Unfortunately, Ron is no longer with us to share and laugh at these stories. However, they are memories that I hold dear in my heart every day. Here’s to you Ron. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place for your seafood clam and oyster knives. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen” with good times, friends, and great food (gathering safely).

Take Care, John & Paula

Live music has been part of the Saratoga Farmers Market since its founding in 1978. It nearly disappeared during the COVID-19 pandemic when social distance protocols discouraged shoppers from spending time at the market. Now, however, live music is back, and market regulars, visitors, vendors, and even the musicians themselves love it more than ever.

Market musicians don’t do it strictly for the money. They’re paid with tips from vendors and customers and gifts of goods from the vendors. 

They do it to showcase their talents, sell CDs, and promote their upcoming events. But they also do it for the love of connecting with others. 

Chloe Sova is one such musician. She performed at the market for the first time this summer. “I was excited for the experience… and very happy with how it went,” Chloe remembers. While she was singing there was a semi-circle of kids in front of her eating and dancing along. She remembers, “One little boy had a ukulele with him and played along- I just knew that this moment would be a lasting one for me, the little boy, and his parents.” 

Customers also appreciate the opportunity to listen to live music as Linda Allen says, the market not only offers great local food but also “amazing, local talent.” For Allen, the musicians “Give the market a relaxing atmosphere.” 

On Wednesday markets, one artist or small group of musicians will be under the pavilion. On Saturday’s market, there are two separate groups or artists in different locations. 

Some artists return again and again because they enjoy playing at the market. Running the River has performed at the farmers’ market for 14 years. The group can be found strumming guitars and playing violin on the first Saturday of every month during the outdoor season. 

“What is unique about the Saratoga Farmers Market is the permanent fixture of the pavilion, which makes it very much like a home or residence for vendors, attendees, and musicians alike. That sense of rootedness lends itself naturally to being able to play our music for people who come specifically for that unique atmosphere,” explains Neil Yetwin.

Some upcoming artists include Thomas Powers, Classical guitarist Maria Zematauski, Caffe Lena Music School, L.B. Walker, and Ethan Crowley. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at High Rock Park in downtown Saratoga. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SaratogaFarmersMarket.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is for everyone, and through a variety of state and federally-funded programs, the market makes it possible for everyone to benefit from healthy foods from local farms.

Those who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can purchase $1 and $5 tokens with their EBT card. With every $2 purchased, they’ll also receive $2 in FreshConnect coupons. While the coupons expire on December 31, the tokens never do. Shoppers not only double their money but also can budget their SNAP benefits around seasonal foods. 

Meat, fish, baked goods, dairy, fruits and vegetables, flowers, plants, and hand-crafted artisanal foods can all be purchased with EBT tokens and FreshConnect coupons. 

While vendors cannot give change in the form of cash, they can and will complete the balance of the purchase with additional items.

In the summer months, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market also accepts Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons. These $5 coupons give shoppers over the age of 60 with limited income an opportunity to buy local, fresh produce.

The Saratoga Office for the Aging will distribute FMNP coupons to eligible seniors at the market on the following dates: Saturdays, July 8 and August 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, July 19 and August 16, from 3 to 5 p.m., and at the Clifton Park Farmers’ Market on Mondays, July 24 and August 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. 

The market also hosts the food-distributor Comfort Food Community every other Saturday during the summer. As part of a partnership with healthcare provider CDPHP, Comfort Food Community distributes $5 coupons to CDPHP members that can be spent at the market on most foods. This coupon is for certain CDPHP members who qualify for the produce prescription program. It is not open to all members. 

In addition, market vendors share their bounty with the Franklin Community Center and Comfort Food Community food pantries. In the final minutes of each market, market staff, interns, and volunteers collect donations from vendors. The vendors give about $200-$500 a week, according to Himanee Gupta of Squash Villa Farm, who helps facilitate the donation collections. 

“As a farmer, I want to help feed my entire community,” says Gupta. “I appreciate how the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, FreshConnect coupons, and other initiatives help make that possible by allowing many customers to stretch their dollars further.” 

The Saratoga Farmers Market is 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays in the food court of the Wilton Mall. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for previews of what’s fresh.  

Hello my Foodie Friends!   

Several summers ago, Paula and I had the opportunity to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming where we attended Brad and Julia’s beautiful wedding. At the base of the Grand Teton mountains is the beautiful Teton Village within Jackson Hole. We stayed at the Alpenhof Lodge that reflects the European style Switzerland feel of the village. Within the lodge includes an Alps- inspired cuisine restaurant that served various types of fondue offerings. The menu consisted of Gruyère and Emmenthler cheeses blended with white wine, completed with kirschwasser, served with bread and apples. Or you could choose the traditional Swiss Cheese, Gruyère, Vacherin, Fribougeois blended with white wine and finished with Kirschwasser and served with bread and apples. Is your mouth watering yet? The blend of the various cheese selection was incredible. 

So, what is Fondue? Fondue is a common dish shared at the table heated over a small burner. Forks are used to dip bits of food (most often bread or staple foods such as meats, vegetables or fruit) into either delectable, melted cheese, oil, broth or chocolate (for dessert). This simple traditional meal allows guests to prepare their own feast and enjoy conversation and fun at the same time. While cheese fondue is the most widely known, meat and chocolate fondue are just as traditional, making a fun evening with friends and family unique and memorable.

During the summer, we are always looking at what to serve our traveling guests that come to the area to visit. If you are looking for something unique to serve as you entertain, consider serving fresh fruits such as pineapple, strawberries, melon, or bananas with a chocolate fondue. Or serve a cheese fondue. Perhaps have a Fondue Happy Hour. Serve your favorite fondue with a glass of wine. You can also do a meat fondue with a base of either white or red wine. Maybe even bring it camping with you! Combine BBQ and fondue to offer an alternative this summer. 

At Compliments to the Chef, we carry cast iron fondues by the Swissmar company. The cast iron fondue sets offer the utmost in versatility. In addition to their décor savvy color pallet, they are ideal for meat, cheese AND chocolate fondue. Cast iron pots provide even heat distribution, making them ideal for cooking at both high and low temperatures – without hot spots. Another cool way to enjoy melted cheese is through the use of a raclette grill. A raclette grill is a tabletop appliance used to melt individual portions of cheese to enjoy with meat, bread, and vegetables. 

So, let’s get dipping this summer. Creating a cheesy fondue is perfect for summer grilling. Serve with grilled vegetables or slices of grilled baguette. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place to get the items you need to entertain this summer. Back to Jackson Hole Wyoming. We would recommend making a trip out there. We spent time in Yellowstone National Park and experienced the grandeur of the Teton mountains. Simply breathtaking.

Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen,”

Take Care, John & Paula

For many, eighty-degree weather and the end of the school year are hallmarks of summer. We plan for gatherings with family and friends, schedule vacations, and fill the calendar with activities. Ultimately, summertime hits full speed once the Fourth of July is upon us.

But sometimes, the simplest things make summer most memorable—like fresh flowers on the table, snacking on sun-ripened berries, or the smell of dinner on the grill. Time slows as we absorb natural flavors, colors, and scents straight from the earth.

Summer cooking doesn’t need to be complicated—a vinaigrette of vinegar and olive oil can dress thinly-sliced cucumbers, grated carrots, and crisp greens. Snap peas and tender yellow squash may be sauteed lightly with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt, maintaining their taste and crisp texture. Beets and potatoes may be boiled until soft, then sauteed with onions. Add fresh herbs for a burst of flavor.

Local meats and poultry also call for a simple preparation, as the meat’s flavor lies in its quality. For grilling cuts of beef, pork, and goat, bring the meat to ambient temperature (let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes), rub it with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and then grill. Cook meats to the proper temperature and try not to rely on time. Once cooked, cover tightly with aluminum foil and let rest for approximately five minutes. Chicken gets special treatment with a simple marinade of olive oil, garlic, herbs, and a hefty squeeze of citrus. Let it soak in the marinade for 30 minutes to 8 hours before grilling.

When entertaining or picnicking, a loaf of artisan bread paired with local cheeses can quickly satisfy a group. Add pickles, honeycomb, jam, chocolate, crackers, or fresh fruit for an array of delectable flavors that complement one another and make for a sweet and savory summertime meal.

Beverages are always necessary for backyard barbeques or just enjoying time in your backyard. Limoncello, whiskey iced tea, and other spirits make cocktail hour easy. Or maybe Junboucha or lavender lemonade is best to quench your thirst. 

Visiting the summer farmers’ markets reminds you of the bounty that comes from this region. We realign with nature and slow down to enjoy the pace—smelling flowers and savoring flavors, and it’s all available here. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. at High Rock Park in downtown Saratoga Springs. Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Hello my Foodie Friends!   

This 4th of July weekend celebration will include attending fireworks, parades, barbeques, carnivals, picnics, baseball games, and family gatherings.  The Fourth of July is more than just a celebration of summertime — it’s a time to celebrate our freedom and how far we have come. Many families will be hosting or attending an outside event or taking advantage of the long weekend activities. 

Fireworks have always been one of my favorite parts of celebrating our national holiday. Sitting in a chair and watching the spectacular color displayed is so exciting to me.  As I reminisce about my childhood, there is one particular 4th of July that standouts. I love to tell my decades old story of when my two other brothers and our neighborhood buddies had acquired some fire crackers to add to our evening fun. After the firework show had ended at our local park, we still had the need to entertain ourselves and sustain the celebration. My parents were not aware that a group of us “spirited” boys still had unused fireworks in our possession.  Our friends provided the fireworks and my brothers and I were given the task of getting a pan to cover the fire crackers with.  I gave this “heroic” opportunity to my youngest brother instructing on spy-like maneuvers to quietly get the pan past my mother.  Looking back, I am not sure how we actually were able to pull it off getting it past her. We found a quiet corner in our yard to set up.  Anxiously, we lit several fire crackers and put a pan on top of them.  Well, that pan shot so high in the sky, it landed in my father’s favorite red maple tree and stayed there until the following winter.  One winter afternoon my father was looking out the kitchen window wondering what was lodged in his tree.  Getting the pan down was an event in itself.  However, cleaning it was another.  In an attempt to teach the three of us adorable boys a lesson, we were ordered to get the pan back to its “original” shape and color. We never did get that pan back to its normal shape!!

Outdoor gatherings were always something I looked forward to. Especially, when looking at the vast number of dishes and desserts that will be spread out. Whether it is a picnic gathering, or a simple picnic at the park, no feast would be complete without a sweet treat at the end. A simple way to satisfy the sweet tooth, is with a fruit-ladened tart. It is a wonderful treat to add with wine or even a cup of tea. Fresh fruit tarts are a beautiful way to present a dessert. The secret lies in the pan that the tart is baked in. A tart pan has low, fluted sides with a removable bottom. The design of the pan allows for a better conduction of heat making a more uniform baked crust.  The removable bottom enables you to remove the finished product by easily placing your hand beneath the bottom, and letting the outer ring fall. Tart pans come in a number of sizes to suite whatever you are making. They are also known as quiche pans. 

Ahhh…I love summer. Being outdoors and enjoying fun times with family and friends (safely) creates those memories that last a lifetime. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, to pick up the tools you need to make your weekend an enjoyable one!  Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

Happy Fourth of July.

Take Care, John & Paula

Hello  my Foodie Friends!

We believe cooking as a family is important. When it comes to food, we each have family traditions that may have either been passed down from generation to generation, or have been recently developed as your own family tradition. Preparing old family recipes is a great way to pass along stories, smells, and flavors of the past to your next generation of family chefs. Traditions may include having a family member prepare a meal once a week or try out an old signature dish that was part of your own growing up. Give each family member a sense of involvement while discovering a new favorite dish to add to your family cookbook. 

Depending on how old your children are (young or adult), you can teach cooking skills, talk about the mathematics of measuring (yes, even fractions!), discuss where different foods come from and what makes some foods more nutritious than others, and share family

stories and traditions that center around the foods you’re making. The more chances that your family has to experience foods in different ways, the more familiar and inviting those foods will seem. And, when family members help make the food … by choosing the recipe, going along to the grocery store, or lending a hand with the cooking … they feel more personally invested, and they’re more likely to sample the food (and like it!). Making food can provide plenty of reasons to gather your family together with you in the kitchen, and get them cooking!

One of our favorite items to use when it comes to any recipe and is important in food prep is a wooden cutting board. This item is not only useful in your own home, but is a beautiful gift to give.

At Compliments to the Chef, we love wood cutting boards! Good hard woods have been used for centuries to cut food or butcher meat on. Early man just cut down any old tree to butcher and cut meat on but quickly realized that soft woods got people sick. A good cutting board properly maintained can last a lifetime, and they are safer than plastic which if it isn’t sanitized or left wet can actually harbor bacteria. Some of the reasons for this are:

1. Wood is water-absorbent, so it dries faster, which means shorter bacterial survival.

2. Wood contains natural antibiotic agents that retard bacterial growth.

We carry beautiful, handcrafted wooden cutting boards made by Catskill Craftsmen, and Saratoga Springs Artisan Adam Cielinski. Choosing an Adam Cielinski wood cutting board can make a great “Saratoga” gift to bring to family or friends or it can be one for your own home. Bring one as a house warming or thank you gift, or choose from one that may reflect a special love or hobby of a person you are buying for. They are simply beautiful and functional. 

Adam’s boards are part of Saratoga Springs Art History. They are each different and no two exactly the same. He also makes large cutting blocks that are great for larger items. The good news is they are reasonably priced too! Wood cutting boards have been in my family for generations and we hand them down. I learned as a child to chop and prep on a wood cutting board. Stop in and pick up a piece of Saratoga History and have something that you can hand down in your family. A little advice on their care:

1. Dry the board immediately after (hand) washing, and 

2. Once a month, rub the board with oil, to keep it water-repellent and warp-free. Apply a coat of warm food-safe mineral oil, let soak in, and then wipe off the excess. Scratches can be sanded out then re-oiled.

Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs. Keep your family together in the kitchen and involved with the prep and creation of your meals. Family recipes are a way of keeping our ancestry alive, as well as a part of ourselves. Traditions help bond us to those we love. Cooking together creates closer bonds and helps build lifelong memories. You can also use the time to listen, share and talk as a family. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

Take Care, John & Paula

Three years ago, Haley Gerarde would visit The Smoothie Shoppe each Saturday at the Spa City and Saratoga Farmers’ Markets. She had loved the vibe that surrounded the stand and  the flexibility it provided the family that owned it. She had also dreamed of following in the footsteps of her parents and becoming an entrepreneur. But she was raising two children and working part-time jobs on and of while doing so. There wasn’t much time (or energy!) left to do more than dream.

Dreams, however, have a funny way of coming true. Last year, Gerarde heard that The Smoothie Shoppe owners were looking for a buyer. With the encouragement of her husband, She jumped at the chance. Now, she makes smoothies at the farmers’ markets as the owner of Jenny Jo’s Smoothie Bar, LLC.

“It honestly fell into my lap,” Gerarde says. “And I’m so glad I took the leap.”

Her stall sits near the same spot at the Spa City and Saratoga farmers’ markets as The Smoothie Shoppe had in years prior. Although she has rebranded, the recipes remain the same, she notes, “it’s hard to want to fix something that’s not broken.”

But there are some special touches. One is the business name Jenny Jo’s. It’s in honor of Gerarde’s daughters, Genevieve and Josephine. They’re the main reason why she wanted to take the business. “I want to show them an example of hard work paying off, and give them a job opportunity in their future if they decide to take over” explains Gerarde. 

Jenny Jo’s Smoothie Bar offers a variety of flavorful smoothies made with wholesome ingredients. The all-fruit smoothies have no added sugar and are dairy and gluten-free. Each smoothie includes a superfood (goji berries, chia seeds, or fresh ginger) to boost health benefits, and Jenny Jo’s also uses local ingredients when possible.

Customers can select from a menu including smoothie options like Righteous Red, Purple Power, Mean Green Machine, and Rhymes with Orange. Jenny Jo’s also offers blended shakes made with an almond milk base, like Mochaspresso and Muscle Monkey with peanut butter. New this summer, Jenny Jo’s is freezing smoothies and bringing popsicles!

Gerarde admits there’s much to learn about running a business. Still, she enjoys the early morning vibe of setting up for the market and the ability to trade smoothies for produce and other food items sold by other vendors. “Each market has amazing options for a good lunch when we have the time”, she adds.  

In addition to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, Gerarde offers her smoothies at popup Zumba events, employee appreciation days, food truck events in Glens Falls, and area farmers’ markets.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. at High Rock Park. Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.