Trumansburg Farmers’ Market offers something for everyone

Elaine Springer
Tompkins Weekly

 

While it has been hard to imagine lately with the lingering winter and an elusive spring, Farmers’ Market season is upon us! The Ithaca market opened it’s outdoor market this month, and rural market openings are just around the corner, including the popular Trumansburg Farmers’ Market.

The Trumansburg Farmers’ Market (TFM) opens May 9. Running at its traditional 4 to 7 p.m. time slot, the Market takes place in the Trumansburg Village Park on the corner of Routes 96 and 227. TFM’s “Fresh Wednesday” events feature a diverse selection of fresh, local foods, loads of freshly prepared foods, artisan crafts vendors, flowering and vegetable plants, eclectic live music, and special educational programming.

In 2018, the Market welcomes back popular vendors such as Sage Hen Farm, Autumn’s Harvest, Waid’s Honey, Wide Awake Bakery, Cayuga Lake Creamery, On the Street Pita, Sommarstuga Gardens, and Lola Love Pottery, just to name a few. They are also welcoming back Barry Family Wine Cellars, with the exciting addition of the new Nine Four Wines, and Hector Wine Company sharing their pavilion booth. Little Tree Orchards joins the Market from Ithaca, as well as The Piggery, who will be offering pork and turkey charcuterie, pepperoni, salami, pate, bacon jam, and more! Mama Said Hand Pies are back this year and are not to be missed.

Also new this year are rotating vendor pavilions. While final selections are still being made, the Market board is in the process of planning rotating pavilions. They are hoping for rotating cheese, beer and cider, and deserts. These will make fine additions to the Market!

Music at the Market is a staple, and this year’s lineup will not disappoint. Highlights include the Notorious Springbusters who are opening the Market May 9, Zydeco Trail Riders on June 20, Richie Stearns, Rosie Newton, Steve Selin, and Ben Gould (Rongo Stringband) on July 11, Laila Belleon August 22, and the El Caminos on September 19. Full vendor and entertainment lists are on the Market website, tburgfarmersmarket.com.

Programming is still being formalized, so check the website frequently for a calendar of events. Something to look forward to are the weekly readings from the Ulysses Philomathic Library. Also in the works are a seedling celebration in May, featuring the Trumansburg Middle School Locavore Club, a Summer Solstice celebration with face painting by Denise Milito in June, a bike-to-market day in July, a cooking challenge or cooking demo in August, Cider Week tastings in September, and a customer appreciation day in October.

Again this year TFM farmers will be participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The SNAP website (ny.gov/services) states, “(SNAP) issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families.” Anyone who wishes to use their SNAP benefits at TFM should go to the manager booth and the market manager will give them wooden coins to exchange with vendors. Qualifying purchases include bread and cereals, fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, and poultry, dairy products, and seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat. Non-qualifying purchases include hot and prepared foods. In addition to the coins, program participants will be issued Fresh Checks. Fresh Checks are $2 vouchers given for every $5 of SNAP benefits exchanged.

Farmers at TFM also accept checks issued for the The New York State Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which consists of the Women, Infants and Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), for participants to redeem for fresh, local fruits and vegetables. According to the New York State Agriculture Department website (agriculture.ny.gov), the purpose of the program is to “promote improved nutrition through increased consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also intended to expand sales at farmers’ markets and farm stands.” Both are very valuable programs that the Market board hopes will help the greater community participate in the Market and bring fresh, healthy foods to their family tables.

The Trumansburg Farmers’ Market is a diverse, inclusive market that offers something for everyone living in or visiting the Trumansburg and Tompkins County area. Indeed, this is just a small taste of what is to come at Market this year, and the TFM board is eager to roll out all the Market has to offer; fresh, local foods, artisan crafts and handmade goods, entertainment, and educational programming. The Trumansburg Farmers’ Market is your Fresh Wednesday destination, offering a lively, community-driven, festival vibe. Be sure to check them out every Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Trumansburg Village Park, and find them on Facebook at facebook.com/TrumansburgFarmersMarket/ for frequent updates.

The Trumansburg Farmers’ Market expenses are sponsored by the Village of Trumansburg. Music is sponsored by the Collin Anderson Memorial Fund and generous businesses sponsors. Programming is sponsored by organizations providing the programming. To learn more about sponsorship or programming ideas, email elainespringboardcreative@gmail.com.

In addition to being a Tompkins Weekly contributor, Elaine Springer is the Trumansburg Farmers’ Market Manager and President of the Trumansburg Area Chamber of Commerce.