Saugerties Farmer’s Market opens May 28
The Saugerties Farmer’s Market opens its 21st season on Saturday, May 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cahill School parking lot at 115 Main Street. Opening day will feature 32 vendors, old and new.
Local elected officials and community leaders will cut the ribbon to launch the market at 10:30 a.m., along with members of the Saugerties Farmers Market Committee. One of the market’s main sponsors, Peggy Schwartz, is both a local businesswoman, owner of Town & Country Liquors, and a community leader as vice president of the Saugerties Chamber of Commerce. Schwartz supports market efforts to support those in need.
New to the market this year is Catskill Mountain Lavender, a Saugerties grower that produces flowers, soap, lotions, essential oil and bath salts.
Vegetable and fruit growers include Bob Fade of Fiddlehead Farm, John and Jean Wais of J&J Farm, Tom Maynard of Maynard Orchards and Farms, Josh Spiro of Deadhead Farm, Diane Carlson of Greene Earth Farm and Lisa Motzer of Lone Duck Farm. Kyle Dodge and Amanda Tigerio of Gulden Farm will bring their pastured beef, as well as farm-raised fish from Hudson Valley Fisheries, and Lone Duck Farm will offer vegetables, chicken and pork.
Other offerings include cow and sheep cheeses from Rock n’ Raw Edibles and goat cheeses from Lynnhaven Nubians; wine from Whitecliff Vineyard and Blue Sky Winery; bourbon, vodka, whiskey and liqueurs from Cooper’s Daughter; Maynard hard cider; the Autonomous cafes; and teas from Owl’s Hoot. Baked goods from sweet to savory, breads to desserts will be available at Violet’s Bakery, Our Daily Bread and the Cookie Board. You’ll also find sauces from Ram’s Valley, honey and maple syrup from Sheepy Valley, CBD products from Hennepen’s, turmeric products from the Turmeric Store, and herbs and other botanicals from Cedar Ridge Nursery.
There are handmade items from local artisans, including jewelry from Stoned Handmade, pottery from SkyStone Studio, and tee-shirts from Arteesan.
Shoppers can have lunch at the Market cafe or take home dishes prepared by chef Chris Arquiett of Brave the Flames and Tom Fisher of Corners. Tasting dishes will be offered during a chef demonstration at the market by Jimmy Tamayo, the well-known and praised chef who, with his wife Rickie Tamayo, was for many years the owner of Café Tamayo in the heart of the Village. The Tamayos helped create the Saugerties Market, as they were early and ardent supporters of local food. “I look forward to returning to the market each week to find what’s in season to inspire me in my cooking for family and friends,” said Jimmy Tamayo.
Tayne Wood, the new Market Manager, is excited to join the Market this year. Wood is currently the Purchasing Coordinator at Nasco Healthcare and is known as a detail oriented, hardworking and efficient team player. She looks forward to meeting market customers and leading the market as an essential service in a safe outdoor setting, bringing fresh, local food to the community.
This year, benefits from the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as food stamps) will go twice as far to market with the help of Double Up, a national program launched by Gus Schumacher, a friend and colleague of one of the founders of the market, Barry Bénépe. “We look forward to SNAP beneficiaries coming to the market to stretch their budget and get healthy food to feed themselves and their families,” Benepe said. “It’s the market’s way of ensuring that those in need get what they pay for while getting the quality food that local farmers bring to market.
Weekly live music for market season has been booked by Steve Massardo, who along with his wife Terri Massardo hosted the John Street Jam in Saugerties for many years. Small Engine, a favorite local band, will play on opening day at the market. Elly Wininger and Dave Kearney are feisty performers, both edgy and flawless, stunning and bubbly, and superb songwriters. They are inspired by the connection that music establishes between people and will bring this connection to the Market from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Kids’ Art Corner has become an essential stage of the Market. Anita Barbour, a well-known local artist, will help children create scrapbook stars to celebrate Memorial Day.
We look forward to seeing our friends and customers return and to welcoming new residents and visitors to the market. All are invited to celebrate the opening of the market season.
For more information, see SaugertiesFarmersMarket.com, facebook.com/SaugertiesFarmersMarket or instagram.com/saugertiesfarmersmarket.
