OLEAN – The Olean Area Farmers Market is open Saturday for the first time this season, operating from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the pavilion in Lincoln Park.
Local farmers and vendors will be camping out at the park off South Street every Saturday through October, and everyone is ready and excited for the market season to begin, said John Policastro, a market board member.
“We expect to have about 18 vendors to start the season, and that number usually grows as we get into the summer months,” he said. “Most of our vendors are back from last year, but we also have a few new vendors right out of the gate for customers to check out.”
Policastro, owner of Flannigan Hill Farm in Hinsdale, said the market begins preparations for next season as soon as the last holiday market ends in December. He said the board meets throughout the winter to review the rules and regulations, pros and cons of the previous season and make changes to the application for the upcoming season.
“By February, we would like to roll out the new app to existing vendors and start spreading the word to new vendors,” he explained. “In April, we will hold our annual meeting to elect new board members and provide final details for all new season vendors.”
Policastro said the setup and layout will be similar to last year, noting that they are trying to design it for customers to easily be able to walk the entire length of the pavilion and see everything clearly. This year will feature plants, vegetables, meat, baked goods, honey, jewellery, woodworking, leatherworking, crafts, syrups and a whole range of food items from across our region.
“We’ll probably have a local farmer, artisan or artist who has something for everyone,” he added.
Having a local farmers market is a great way for the community to build and invest in itself, Policastro said. He said not only does shopping locally help keep money in the community instead of sending it to online supermarkets like Amazon, but farmers in particular help create positive production in the land and environment and turn that productivity into healthy, high-quality food for everyone. People who live and work around us.
“Every vendor in our market plays a role in taking something raw or basic, transforming it into something more complex and finishing it with their craft,” he said. “Whether it’s building nutrients in the soil to produce vibrant, delicious vegetables; turning some boards into a handcrafted artisanal bench; Or mixing ingredients into crunchy, delicious cookies, there may be nothing more indicative of the lifeblood of a community than a farmers market where everyone can gather, mingle, shop and build relationships.
Policastro said the market has seen amazing growth over the past few seasons as community members have spent their SNAP funds there.
“We know that locally produced food can often be more expensive than items found in major grocery stores, but many community members have found that healthy, nutritious food grown by our local farmers is the perfect choice for feeding their families,” he said. .
Additionally, through programs like FreshConnect, the marketplace can double what SNAP clients spend, giving them twice the purchasing power.
“The continued commitment of so many community members to the local farmers and producers at the Olean Area Farmers Market has been overwhelming and speaks volumes about how great our area is,” Policastro added.
If you would like to apply to become a vendor, or for more information, visit oleanfarmersmarket.com or email [email protected].
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