Displaying items by tag: Saratoga Farmers' Market

Community life in and around Saratoga has shut down in the effort to slow the Coronavirus spread. One space that remains open is the Saratoga Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings at the Wilton Mall.

The market, deemed an essential service, set up outdoors last Saturday in the parking lot outside the shuttered mall. Market staff created “stalls” out of parking spaces and placed vendors in spots that were spaced to maintain a safe distance.

Vendors set up tables and in some cases tents. They donned rubber gloves and had disinfectant wipes and sanitizer on hand.

What makes farms and farmers’ markets essential?

Most crucially perhaps is the fact that they offer food that is locally grown. You can find fresh vegetables, eggs, and chicken at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, along with such storable vegetables like carrots and potatoes; beef, pork, lamb, and goat; and even shelf-stable sauces, pickles, and dried beans.

“We need to be able to get our food to the community,” said Jason Heitman, of Green Jeans Market Farm, a vegetable grower.

“Farms are the heart of community,” added Julie Noble, of Ramble Creek Farm, which offers mushrooms and meats. “It’s important to keep food local, especially at this time.”

Farmers’ markets rarely operate outdoors before May. Last Saturday was sunny but windy, with temperatures that were below freezing. As a vendor myself, I shivered through three layers of jackets, wool socks, and gloves. I filled my table with eggs and set out coolers of meat. I was unsure what to expect, but as market regulars and new customers arrived, it quickly became apparent that many hungered not only for food but a sense of community, too. 

Amid sales, vendors and customers exchanged news. There were no handshakes or hugs, but plenty of laughs and well wishes.

“We’ll be continuing the market every week,” said Beth Trattel, market board president and owner of Something’s Brewing “We’re working with the mall to ensure that the space that we’re in remains safe.” 

Kelley Hillis of Puckers Gourmet Pickles could not offer samples of her pickles but did display their award-winning ribbons on her coat.

“Farmers markets are vital,” she said. “The money spent here supports a local producer. It helps keep my family, and other farm families fed.”

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Wilton Mall. Follow our updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and in our weekly e-newsletter. 

Efforts to slow the Coronavirus spread prompted us to cancel last week’s Saratoga Farmers’ Market. We are optimistic the market will take place this Saturday at the Wilton Mall and will post any updates on our Facebook page and other social media. .

We value our shoppers, farmers, and the communities we serve. Your health is important to us. Current health guidelines indicate that foods available at producer-only farmers markets such as ours are likely to be safer than goods obtained from groceries or delivery services because the distance that the food travels is shorter and the number of persons handling it is less. Purchases at our market also support local businesses.

We are working with mall management to expand the market’s space. If weather permits, more vendors may set up outdoors. We also are encouraging vendors to keep hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes at their tables and to wear gloves or use some other means of keeping their hands out of direct contact with raw foods. All prepared foods will be prepackaged, and we have put the offers of samples on hold.

Here’s how you can help us keep our market healthy, too: 
• Wash your hands if you eat just before shopping.
• Try not to congregate too tightly around vendor tables.
• Allow our vendors to hand produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, and other food items to you. Try not to touch baskets of carrots, bags of lettuce, cabbage heads or other such items yourself.
• Be patient, as vendors clean their hands in between handling produce and money. Some vendors might have different people delegated to taking care of these tasks.
• If you are not feeling well, do not enter the market directly. Contact our vendors in advance, or the market manager. We can arrange for a curbside pickup, and in some cases, a delivery. 

Last week, Pleasant Valley Farm drew on its extensive mailing list to survey customers and based on the nearly 70 responses, set up a drop point for preorders as well as a home delivery service. As Pleasant Valley’s Robert Arnold said, the goal “is to provide fresh, healthy produce to all of our faithful customers in the region any way we can.” We look forward to seeing you soon. 

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays at the Wilton Mall. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates.

Many of these businesses are offering pickup and delivery options. See below for the Saratoga Farmer’s Market Vendors' Contact Information:

FROM THE FARM

Argyle Cheese Factory (Cheese, yogurt)
518-638-8966, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Battenkill Valley Creamery (Milk)
518-854-9400, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Elihu Farm (Lamb, eggs)
518-753-7838, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Gomez Veggie Ville (Vegetables, fruits)
518-686-5212, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Green Jeans Market Farm (Vegetables)
518-232-1968, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kokinda Farm (Vegetables, jams, bread)
518-763-7856, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lewis Waite Farm (Beef, pork)
518-692-3120, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Longlesson Farm (Beef, chicken, pork)
518-753-2163, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mariaville Mushroom Men (Mushrooms, meats)
518-810-6061, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Moxie Ridge Farm (Cheese, yogurt, meats)
518-620-6464, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pleasant Valley Farm (Vegetables, fruits)
518-638-6501, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ramble Creek Farm (Mushrooms, meats)
518-769-0897, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

R&G Cheesemakers (Cheese, yogurt)
518-892-6701, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saratoga Apple (Apple products)
518-695-3131, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Slate River Farms (Beef, chicken, eggs)
518-258-3858, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Squashville Farm (Meats, eggs, vegetables)
518-650-5881, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Underwood’s Greenhouse/Shushan Valley Hydro Farm
(Hydroponic vegetables)
518-854-9564, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ARTISAN ITEMS

Ballston Lake Apiaries (Honey, pollen, candles)
518-384-2539, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Earth to Mind (CBD products)
518-353-1150, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Feathered Antler (Art, clothing)
518-290-7461, featheredantler.com

Freddy’s Rockin’ Hummus (Hummus)
518-727-6966, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Grandma Apple’s Cheesecakes (Cheesecakes)
518-368-6091, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Healthy Gourmet Kitchen
(Soup/stew mixes, dips, seasonings)
518-527-1472, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

High Peaks Distilling (Spirits)
518-512-6098, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Junbucha (Kombucha drinks)
518-353-1150, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mangiamo (Pasta)
518-450-4006, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Moon Cycle Seed Company (Seed blends)
315-323-3153, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Muddy Trail Jerky (Beef jerky, dips, seasonings)
518-642-2194, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mugzy’s Barkery (Dog treats)
518-573-0400, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Puckers Gourmet (Fermented and pickled foods)
518-854-3301, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saratoga Chocolate Co. (Chocolate)
518-222-5366, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saratoga Garlic Company (Garlic products)
518-581-4093, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saratoga Peanut Butter Co. (Peanut butter)
888-967-3268, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Slate Valley Farms (Maple syrup, honey)
518-642-3265, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Something’s Brewing (Coffee, teas, lemonades)
518-531-4197, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery (Spirits)
518-338-3130, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Vermont Spatzle Company (Spatzle noodles)
802-265-1234, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vital Eats (Vegan prepared foods, sauces, spices)
518-281-9461, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Yankee Distillers (Spirits)
518-406-3245, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

READY-TO-EAT & BAKED GOODS

Daily Fresh (Indian food)
518-698-6264, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Euro Delicacies (Meditteranean food)
518-210-5436, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Giovanni Fresco (Italian food)
518-949-1913, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mrs. London’s (Baked goods)
518-581-8100, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

My Dacha Slovenian Cafe (Eastern European food)
518-272-3505, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Petra Pocket Pies (Mediterranean food)
518-744-9310, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Chocolate Spoon (Baked goods)
518-580-9577, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Food Florist (Frozen prepared meals, pies)
518-545-0623, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Upon the first look, the farmers’ market can be overwhelming. Tables are piled high with produce, coolers are full of meat and cheeses, and display cases tower high with bottles of syrup and jars of jam. In addition, products available at the farmers’ market change slightly each season. Here’s a peek at 10 things you might not know are sold at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market.

SHAVING SOAP
“Soft Serve” shaving cream is an old-fashioned wet shaving soap made from goat milk and pig lard. This nourishing specialty soap is made exclusively at Moxie Ridge Farm. Just add some water, lather with a shaving brush, and enjoy the lather for a smooth shave.

MUSHROOM COFFEE & TEAS
Mariaville Mushroom Men have made it easy to enjoy a daily serving of mushrooms with their perfectly blended mushroom teas that come in easy to use teabags. Looking for something a little more robust? Scoop, stir and enjoy their instant mushroom coffee. 

SPÄTZLE (GLUTEN-FREE)
The Vermont Spätzle Company has traditional spätzle that is no-boil, ready in 5 minutes, and gluten-free. What’s even better is that this spätzle is as versatile as it is tasty. The Vermont Spätzle Company has dozens of quick and easy spätzle recipes on their website.

GOAT
Goat has a distinct flavor that is leaner than lamb and can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as being stewed, curried, baked, grilled, barbecued, minced, canned, fried, or made into sausage. Find a variety of cuts, ribs, and roasts at Squashville Farm.

DOG TREATS
Dog treats are serious business at the farmers’ market. Longlesson Farm and Lewis Waite Farm both offer beef bones specifically for dogs. Something’s Brewing makes ‘beastly bites’ dog biscuits from all-natural ingredients. And, Mugzy’s Barkery has a whole line of treats and cakes made from all-natural and organic ingredients.

CBD OIL
With high-quality hemp grown and processed here in New York, Earth to Mind CBD products are designed to help relieve stress, soothe pain, and attain a sense of well being when added to your holistic routine. If you’re looking for an alternative form of healing, visit Earth to Mind about adding CBD oil to your holistic routine.

TAKE-HOME MEALS
The Food Florist offers a variety of frozen take-home meals made with carefully sourced ingredients so you won’t have to compromise over convenience. The Food Florist offers a variety of casseroles and lasagnas to choose from, even breakfast and gluten-free options.   

HORMONE BALANCING SEED BLENDS
Seed cycling is an easy and functional way to get nutrients in the body to help women rebalance their hormones. Moon Cycle Seed Company blends four seeds: pumpkin, flax, sunflower, and sesame. When ingested in a specific combination daily, they provide the body with essential nutrients.

SHOOTS
Whether you eat them by the handful, put them on a salad or sauté them with garlic, pea and radish shoots offer a burst of nutritious and delicious flavor. Varieties of shoots are growing in the greenhouse at Pleasant Valley Farm and Green Jeans Market Farm. 

BEEF JERKY
Muddy Trail Jerky offers handcrafted beef jerky in 13 flavors. Sweet, savory, or spicy options include Bourbon Barbecue, Habanero Mango, Bacon & Molasses just for starters. Visit their stand for over 50 varieties of dips, rubs, seasonings, and meal starters. Is beef not your thing? Try Zen Jerky by Vital Eats. This flavorful, plant-based jerky is packed with protein. 

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. 

Bill Higgins began growing garlic in 1998 on farmland in Northumberland, a community between Schuylerville and Saratoga. He sold the garlic to a food distributor at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan, and over time, began consulting with chefs to create a line of prepared products. 

Over the years, his enterprise Saratoga Garlic Co. expanded, supplying grocery stores, restaurants, and wholesalers with sauces and pickled products.

The business kept growing, and then last fall Higgins went small. He applied to become a new vendor with the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, joining the market’s cadre of local farmers, home producers, and artisans.

Now, Higgins spends Saturday mornings at the market’s winter location in the Wilton Mall, offering samples of their garlic products, greeting new customers, and reconnecting with friends.

Their experience is helping them understand better what their customers like. It also captures the community feeling that the Saratoga Farmers’ Market creates.

“We wanted a more direct connection and additional insight to what our end consumer is looking for,” says Max Higgins, who coordinates sales for Saratoga Garlic and is Bill Higgins’s son.

So far, the experience has been great. “Everyone at the market has been very welcoming and we’ve really enjoyed the positive atmosphere each Saturday,” Max Higgins says.

On top of that, they have discovered that old friends from elementary and high school days are market regulars, as well. And, says Max Higgins, “the live music is great.”

Saratoga Garlic Co.’s signature product is aioli, a garlic sauce with a mayonnaise base. The company offers five varieties, along with a pickled garlic product. The sauces can be used to season dishes, as a spread on crackers or bread, or as a condiment to such things as steaks, pork or goat, chops, or fish. 

Bill Higgins worked with a number of chefs to perfect his recipes over the years. He and his family still grow their own garlic, which is German white, a porcelain variety known for big bulbs, a robust flavor, and high tolerance to his sandy soil. The family also occasionally grows dill for their pickled products and has discussed the prospect of trying out such items as saffron, which flavors one of their aioli sauces.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wilton Mall. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Mushrooms from the Saratoga Farmers’ Market often find their way into my meals. Farms such as Mariaville Mushroom Men and Ramble Creek offer a wide array of these low-calorie, high-protein fungi. All are easy to prepare, taste wonderful, and once in a while, I’ve found, lead to pleasant dreams.

What makes mushrooms stand out from other fresh farm offerings? For starters, they are in a category of foods by themselves. As Brie Mazurek of the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Education writes in A Guide to Specialty Mushrooms, “Mushrooms are not vegetables. They are closer to animals than plants and belong to their own distinct kingdom, Fungi. As a fruit is to a tree, mushrooms are the spore-bearing fruiting bodies that allow fungi to produce.”

Farmers’ market mushrooms generally are grown in sawdust or logs. For many years, the varieties available were primarily shitake and oysters. Now, farmers also are growing lions mane, nameko, chestnuts, and king oysters.

Is there a huge difference in flavor or preparation method for these varieties?

To me, no. There are subtle variations that make trying the different mushrooms an intriguing experience. Often, I pick up a different variety each week to sample and experiment with.

Vendors can offer cooking tips. You also can try this simple roasting preparation, which works for nearly all fresh varieties:

First, give the mushrooms a quick rinse. After they have drip-dried, remove the harder stem edges with a knife and chop the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Heat a skillet. Place the mushrooms in the skillet and cook them quickly on medium-high heat, tossing them frequently with two wooden spoons to keep them from sticking to the pan. This roasting method releases the mushroom’s juices and helps bring out their flavor. 

After about five minutes, turn off the heat and quickly add a liquid of choice, such as oil, butter, wine, vinegar or lemon juice, or broth. Often, I add olive oil with a little wine. Continue to toss the mushrooms so they do not stick, and add seasonings such as black pepper, garlic, onions, shallots, chopped rosemary and/or thyme. Remove from the pan and serve.

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. 

What makes cooking with farm fresh foods at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market a success? In my mind, two things: Let “less is more” be your guide, and have a few basic supplies on hand. Let me elaborate...

When food comes to market from a local farm, it is about as fresh as it gets. Our freshest foods are harvested within a day or two of the market. Our frozen meats and stored apples, cabbages, potatoes, and other root vegetables are from harvests of just the past fall. Even such shelf-stable items as dry beans and corn come to you straight from the farms where they were grown. This means the flavor is at the peak. Often, just baking, steaming, or a quick fry in a hot pan followed by a low simmer for a few minutes is enough to make our farm foods taste delicious.

Second, cooking is easier and faster when one has a few basics on hand: staple ingredients and simple pots, pans, and cooking utensils.

Staple ingredients include oil, vinegar, and seasonings. Butter or animal fats like pork fat can substitute for oil, just as lemon juice or apple cider can stand in for vinegar. Seasonings as simple as salt and pepper often suffice. Herbs, alliums like garlic and onions, and spices like coriander, nutmeg, cinnamon, paprika, and others can help enhance the flavor of meals, but they are not necessities. Simply put, a basic oil, acid, and salt and pepper are usually enough to ensure that your market purchases taste as good cooked as they look fresh.

As for cooking, keep your supplies simple, especially if you’re just getting started: a frying pan, a Dutch oven or similar deep oven-safe lidded pot, a smaller stovetop pan for boiling water; a chopping board, a good sharp knife, a spatula, and a couple of wooden spoons are a good start.

 Many cookbooks, weekly recipes in newspapers, and preparations featured on popular cooking shows and in videos emphasize the complexity of cooking. And, indeed, there is a creative and dramatic flair to the culinary arts. But there is creativity, too, in cooking simple and in letting the flavors of fresh foods stand alone. 

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.

At the farmers’ market, Saturdays are an opportunity to stock up with local products for the week to come. But what if you didn’t have to wait for Saturday to stock up on your favorite farmers’ market foods? Mangiamo, Saratoga Chocolate Co., Nettle Meadow, and Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery have big news to share as they work to ease access to their products by opening new locations and expanding their offerings locally.

MANGIAMO
Mangiamo, a business offering a variety of homemade pasta, has recently opened shop in Grant Plaza at 75 Woodlawn Avenue in Saratoga Springs. “The only reason I was able to open a retail shop was because my market customers were looking to buy pasta during the week,” explained Rose Contadino, owner of Mangiamo. 

Contadino began Mangiamo in May 2018 and sold her fresh pasta exclusively on Saturdays at the farmers’ market.“My customers have been very supportive of me opening the shop, and I am extremely grateful for all their wishes to see me succeed,” said Rose.

Mangiamo’s new location is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store enables Rose to make pasta on the premises and also to expand her offerings as the business grows. “At the shop, I offer a variety of weekly flavored pastas like roasted garlic and herbs and I always have cheese raviolis and a special ravioli for Friday and Saturday,” she explained. 

SARATOGA CHOCOLATE CO.
Saratoga Chocolate Co. will bring sweetness to downtown Saratoga Springs when their new shop opens on the lower level of the Saratoga Marketplace this spring. “We’re excited to create a space where people can experience and enjoy chocolate,” said Allison Rose. 

Chocolatiers Allison and Hank Rose started Saratoga Chocolate Co. in 2016 and have worked to grow the business while balancing an active work and family life. At the farmers’ market, Saratoga Chocolate Co. quickly earned its reputation for hand-crafted truffles and decadent chocolate bark and bars. 

This spring, the store location will offer a variety of their chocolates, and shoppers may also watch the sweet confections being made. “The farmers’ market community has really supported us and helped us to develop our business,” Allison explained. In addition to chocolates and truffles, the Roses are planning to offer a variety of cocoa infused food and drinks at the new location. 

NETTLE MEADOW
Nettle Meadow began the year with exciting news of their new cheese plant, aging space, and retail space at the historic Hitching Post restaurant on 9N in Lake Luzerne. “We will have a much larger retail space for customers to come and try our cheese and buy cheeses and other local products at a more convenient location,” said Sheila Flanagan, one of the farm owners. 

Nettle Meadow started selling goat cheeses on a small scale around 1992.  Sheila Flanagan and Lorrain Lambiase bought the business and expanded production in 2005. “Farmers’ markets are one of the most important aspects of our business because it gives us direct interaction with our customers,” said Flanagan. “We look forward to reaching more people through tastings and direct sales at the new location in Lake Luzerne.”

Nettle Meadow’s new location plans to open on Memorial Day weekend with a Grand Opening celebration. The retail location will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and the tasting room will be open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

SPRINGBROOK HOLLOW FARM DISTILLERY
Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery has completed plans for a new taproom and production facility directly off of Rt. 149 in Queensbury. The expansion is planned to be completed by the end of 2020 and will feature a 100-person taproom where patrons may enjoy local cider, wine, craft beer, and a variety of Springbrook Hollow’s hand-crafted, artisanal spirits including vodka, gin, moonshine, and award-winning limoncello. 

Springbrook Hollow Distillery opened in 2014 and has expanded its reach throughout New York, Vermont, New Jersey, and Connecticut. “We love the hands-on experience of sharing our products and our story with customers and want to enhance this experience on-site,” said Matt Colucci, one of the distillery owners.  For Springbrook Hollow, this new facility means more production, upgraded equipment, and a place for people to gather and enjoy local beverages. 

While these businesses work to offer customers new shopping experiences and a wide variety of products, you can continue to find them together in one place every Saturday at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. 

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.

This time of year, the farmers’ market is inspired by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s Health and Wellness Week. Meanwhile, our vendors are also preparing for Valentine’s Day. The result is a special market focused on gifts from the heart as well as food that is good for the heart and overall health.

Tomorrow, prepare for Valentine’s Day by finding gifts that are meaningful and tasty. The Chocolate Spoon will have memorable homemade strawberry marshmallows that are perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. Pucker’s Pickles will have a limited supply of their very special fermented cherries. And, of course, there will also be chocolate in various forms - like velvety chocolate cheesecake at Grandma Apple’s and a Valentine’s Day trio special (including passion, violet, and cacao nib bars) at Saratoga Chocolate Co. Or, say ‘I love you’ with a gift bag of chocolate coffee and toffee from Something’s Brewing.

Is a romantic dinner more your style? The farmers’ market has the region’s freshest ingredients. Mangiomo will have pasta rolled and cut to order. The Vermont Spätzle Company will have gluten-free spätzle. You will find the finest cuts of meat from local farms along with the best cooking instructions. Take your pick of beef, chicken, pork, lamb, goat or even fish and seafood. Local farms will have leafy greens like bok choy, swiss chard, microgreens, and kale. And tables will also be stocked with apples, beets, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, winter squash, and much more. After dinner, share some local cheese or maybe sip some locally distilled spirits.

While shopping for the person in your heart, consider heart health too. Eating fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables is crucial for a healthy lifestyle. 

We invite you to share the love and to experience the love at tomorrow’s farmers’ market. Eat Smart NY will have healthy snack samples and recipe ideas. There will also be free Valentine cards to write and take and toe-tapping music by Craic Agus Ceol.

Our close-knit community of vendors and customers, weekly musicians and guests make for a joyous place full of friends. So bring your date, family, or friends with you to enjoy a shared outing at the farmers’ market

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. 

Marcie Place returns to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market this Saturday, after a three-month break. She concentrated on her family, especially her son Ted who has joined middle school. “I started my baking business as a way to work from home after the surprise arrival of my third son,” she said. During this so-called break, Marcie filled corporate orders and developed several new recipes for the Farmers’ Market. 

Marcie noted how she benefitted from the Farmers’ Market by moving from routine recipes to being more creative. “I never experimented until I joined the Market and met great vendors. I realized how important it is to use fresh, local ingredients such as rosemary from Otrembiak Farm for the rosemary butter cookies. And eggs from vendors which make shortbread good, golden, and gorgeous.”

But there are no chocolate spoons among her goodies. “I chose The Chocolate Spoon as my business name because I wanted something memorable and something unique,” Marcie explained. “Once a customer thought I literally sold spoons dipped in chocolate!” 

Can we hope that maybe someday she’ll make chocolate lollipops with wooden spoon handles? Meanwhile, we have to try her new products. “Look for treats like speculoos, pecan sandies, Norwegian butter cookies, pistachio cranberry shortbread cookies, and raspberry pie.”

Marcie explained, “Speculoos is a traditional Belgian spice cookie, sometimes referred to as Biscoff.” Its origin goes back into the 1650s when bakers were already making biscuits along with their bread. Her Norwegian butter cookie, “is a simple cookie with few ingredients but the combination is memorable.”

For Valentine’s Day, The Chocolate Spoon will feature ‘pink’: strawberry marshmallows, raspberry Linzer cookies, cookie bouquets, and pink snickerdoodles. The latter obtains its pink color from pureed beets. 

In addition to the Farmers’ Market, The Chocolate Spoon caters to special events such as weddings, baby and bridal showers, care packages, book clubs, fundraisers and cookie party favors for birthdays or out-of-town guests. 

On Marcie’s table at the Farmers’ Market, you’ll notice a money jar, but it’s not a tip jar. She accepts donations for “Project Cupcake,” her free community outreach project. “It’s a way for me to give back after receiving wonderful guidance and support while my son Ted was in grade school.” Project Cupcake, now in its second year, “provides birthday treats in the classroom for kids whose families may not otherwise be able to provide one,” Marcie explained. 

After you read this article, be sure to overwhelm The Chocolate Spoon this Saturday, and every Saturday after that.

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.

Growing up with six sisters, it’s no wonder that Sarah Avery took an interest in women’s health. In addition to being a Doctor of Physical Therapy with a focus in Women’s Health and Medical Therapeutic Yoga, Avery is also a vendor at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. Her business, Moon Cycle Seed Company, is a seed cycling subscription service to help women rebalance their hormones and establish healthy body cycles.

This might be your first time hearing about the concept of seed cycling – it is for many people. That’s why Avery loves to explain to customers how it works. “It made sense to come to the farmers’ market with this product; being at the market makes it much easier for me to answer customers’ questions in person. Those connections are invaluable.”

Avery’s first experience with seed cycling came forth out of her own struggles with women’s health issues including worsening PMS symptoms after discontinuing hormonal birth control. “A friend of mine told me about the practice of seed cycling which is an easy and natural way to get nutrients in the body to help women rebalance their hormones,” says Avery. Seed cycling helps balance estrogen and progesterone by supplying the nutrients of four seeds (pumpkin, flax, sunflower, and sesame) in a specific combination daily. The blend correlates with the phases of the menstrual cycle, follicular and luteal.

Avery’s symptoms were markedly alleviated by seed cycling, and she started sharing her practice with other women in her life. Because seed cycling involves grinding the seeds to help the body’s absorption of nutrients, some of her friends were hesitant to put in the effort. “I figured that I could make it easier for everyone, and so Moon Cycle Seed Company was born,” says Avery.

The subscription service offers eco-friendly packages of pre-ground seeds for the two different parts of the cycle. All you have to do to reap the benefits is sprinkle the seed blends in dishes such as smoothies, yogurt bowls, salads, and soups. In the future, Avery hopes to venture into ready-to-eat seed squares and possibly hormone-balancing herbal teas. 

At the farmers’ market, we know all about how a healthy, varied diet can benefit your health. Besides your purchase at Moon Cycle Seed Company, many of the natural, whole foods at the farmers’ market may contribute to a healthy hormone balance, such as leafy greens, fatty fish, and sweet potatoes - all currently in season at the farmers’ market.

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.