Editorial of May 23, 2024
Rooting for the Farmers
One of the most promising and beneficial trends of our present-day life is the rapid growth and development around the country and the world, of farmers’ markets, a welcome addition to any city or village. Appearing on any day, for the most part on Saturdays but during the week as well, and centered, also for the most part, in the middle of village and city squares, they begin at the break of day, filled to the brim with seasonal, organic, local, and humanely-raised food brought directly from nearby farms to the metropolis and sprawled across tables in tempting displays, waiting to be taken home and prepared for some sumptuous dining.
Although farmers’ markets have always been the usual way of buying and selling rural products in the Western world, with the advent of supermarkets, farmers’ markets rapidly disappeared in many nations in the early and mid-19th century. In Europe, France and Italy, two countries which place a high priority on food origin and regional specialization, managed to retain their farmers’ markets and their promotion of fresh, locally grown foods. Toward the end of the 19th century. farmers’ markets reappeared: in 1997 a farmers’ market was established in the United Kingdom, in part to help the country’s struggling farmers, in part to offset its anti-French sentiment, and also to solve rising questions of food safety, nutrition, and general health. The renaissance in the United States began earlier: In 1994, there were 1,755 markets; a decade ago there were more than 8,000. Now there are superb farmers’ markets all over the world: Barcelona, London, Venice, Rotterdam, Bangkok, Stockholm, Singapore, Nice, Seattle, New York, Santa Fe, Santa Monica, Chicago, Oneonta, Richfield Springs, Morris and Cooperstown, to name just a few places. In fact, New York State now has in excess of 400 markets, 250 farm stands and 10 mobile markets.
Not only are these colorful and noisy markets a pleasure to visit, they also are a cultural staple, providing insight into the nature of the communities they serve, linking rural and urban populations, generating traffic for local businesses, bringing attention to activities in the surrounding area, and providing a meeting place for neighbors, kids, dogs, and families. They are also a source for a growing variety of fresh, seasonal and healthy foods. Lastly, as the process of production is more concise, there is less distance for produce to travel, resulting in fewer transportation costs and less pollution and food storage concerns. Not surprisingly, the prices at the farmers’ market are generally lower than those of supermarkets as well.
The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market was founded by Otsego 2000 in 1991 to support our local farmers and artisans, bring people together, and give more life to Main Street. There are today 30 growers and a substantial number of artisans who offer their wares over two days of the market, and 30,000 visitors every year—a highly commendable feat.
Happy Memorial Day to one and all. Do not forget to cheer on the paddlers in the General Clinton Regatta, to root for the players in the East-West Classic in Doubleday Field, to take a look at Hank Aaron on his new perch, and to find out how to be a safer boat person. And don’t forget to spend some time at the farmers’ market in your community.
