Cooperstown Farmers’ Market Celebrates 35 Years This Saturday

NYS Ag and Markets Head Richard Ball To Attend

COOPERSTOWN—On Saturday, August 15, the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market will recognize a significant milestone in its history as it celebrates the market’s 35th year of operation.

During the market day, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be 33 local farmers and vendors, two sets of live music, kids’ activities to celebrate Honeybee Day, and a Market Bingo raffle. At 11 a.m., there will be a brief program featuring New York State Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets Richard Ball; Meg Kennedy, owner of ARK Floral, which was a founding vendor of the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market; and Jim Dalton and Ellen Pope of Otsego 2000, which founded the market in 1991. Kennedy also serves as vice chair of the Otsego County Board of Representatives.

Following the speeches, there will be complimentary sweets made by market vendors, including Biscuitwood Farm, a new Summer Tuesday Market vendor, and Nectar Hills Farm, a year-round Saturday vendor.

“Come hang out with your friends and neighbors to celebrate 35 years of the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market,” said Madeleine Zenir, farmers’ market manager at Otsego 2000. “It’s August and your local farmers have been working all year for harvest season.”

Otsego 2000 founded the market in 1991 to offer local growers and producers a direct outlet to residents and visitors, to make local produce readily available, and to bring local customers to Main Street. All market products are grown or made by the vendors within 50 miles of Cooperstown. Thanks to the generosity of The Scriven Foundation, which owns the 101 Main Street building, the market enjoys an indoor space, which is heated in the winter, right in the middle of downtown.

“We are proud of the market’s history and its growth over the years, and look forward to a bright future as more and more people learn and appreciate the value of sourcing their food locally,” said Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000. “We are delighted to have Commissioner Richard Ball here to help us celebrate 35 years of supporting local farmers and makers, and the market’s role in the community.”

Pope added that Otsego 2000 and the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market have benefited from a Farmers’ Market Resiliency grant from New York State. Upgrades to the market facility made possible by the grant include a 100-foot indoor mural, customer seating, and lighting, as well as enhanced outreach and advertising.

“Of note is our outreach to customers who shop with SNAP,” said Pope. “A $20.00 SNAP spend results in $60.00 worth of local food, thanks to matches from the Cooperstown Lions Club and Field and Fork Network’s Double Up Food Bucks. This helps our neighbors get access to fresh local food, and helps local farmers get more business, a win-win.”

The Cooperstown Lions Club will have a table at the market with information on the SNAP Match program, and how people can support it.

Miss Jen, also known as Jennifer Armstrong, Otsego 2000’s manager of finance and operations, will have activities to celebrate National Honeybee Day. Kids can make honeybee headbands, learn about the life cycle of bees, taste honey and plant a pollinator friendly flower to take home.

“I love coming up with the ideas for kids’ crafts at the market, all inspired by my own daughter. It is wonderful to watch kids discover the market through a simple craft or activity,” said Armstrong. “It gives them the opportunity to learn where their food comes from, meet the farmers who grow it, and understand the importance of supporting local farms and eating fresh healthy food.”

Customers can complete a Market Bingo card and be entered to win a $100.00 Farmers’ Market gift certificate.

Located at 101 Main Street in Pioneer Alley, the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays throughout the year and on Tuesdays during July, August and September. To learn more, visit https://www.otsego2000.org/cooperstown-farmers-market.