New farmers’ market will accept WIC and senior coupons

Provided photos – Marty Busch, the Medina code enforcement officer, shops and chats at Panek’s Pickin’ Patch at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market.

MEDINA – The new farmers’ market in Medina will start accepting senior coupons as well as Women, Infants, and Children coupons this Saturday.

The Canal Village Farmers’ Market opened on July 11 at the parking lot on West Center Street across from the Post Office. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

The market has been accepted into NYS Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, which provides checks to low-income, nutritionally at-risk families enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC and Senior Nutrition Programs. The checks are redeemable for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets.

“We’ve had several inquiries weekly regarding the availability of these services,” said Chris Busch, president of the Orleans Renaissance Group, which organizes the market. “With the market going into its fifth week very strong, we’re excited to be able to add this to the offerings. Last week we attracted 450-plus patrons.”

Crowds gather at the new farmers’ market in Medina last Saturday. Organizers say more than 450 visited the market that day.

Current produce featured at the market comes from Panek’s Pickin’ Patch, Roberts Farm Market, Stymus Farms, SK Herefords and Sunrise Bees. Other regular vendors include Shirt Factory Café, Sweet Source Bakery, Wide Angle Art Gallery and 810 Meadworks. The Old English Tea Shoppe and Renko Meat Processing also will return on Aug. 15.

The market often includes entertainment, and this week will feature musician Mark Buell and a historical talk and walk by Erica Wanecsk. She will lead a short discussion of what shopping was like in historic Medina versus current day.

“The market continues to grow every week,” Busch said. “We offer a great variety that changes a bit week to week.”

The market is managed by Gail Miller, an ORG volunteer.