NY ranks second for most farmers’ markets

Markets offer fresh and healthy food, provide boost for local agriculture

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Canal Village Farmers’ Market manager Gail Miller and volunteer Matthew Backlas stand by a sign advising shoppers they can use their EBT cards and SNAP benefits at the market to buy fresh produce.

MEDINA – A recent ranking of farmers’ markets by inFlow has been shared by digital public relations outreach specialist Kevin Geer and provides insight to the popularity of farmers’ markets, such as Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market. (In Orleans County there is also a farmers’ market in Albion at the Save-A-Lot parking lot. It was open on Sundays from July 7 to Oct. 27.)

The report revealed the state of New York, with more than 670 farmers’ markets, ranks second in the country in the number of farmers’ markets, bested only by California with 760. In this survey, 88.1% of respondents felt sustainable food production was important, according to Geer. Also, only four of the top 10 agricultural states also ranked among the top 10 states with the most farmers’ markets.

Key findings, with which Canal Village Farmers’ Market manager Gail Miller and ORG president Chris Busch agree, include affordable pricing (95% found prices affordable), friendly market sellers and freshness of produce as reasons for popularity of farmers’ markets.

Photos by Chris Busch: Confection Connection, an Albion bakery, is a regular at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market.

The report (click here to see it) continued to say farmers markets not only offer fresh, locally sourced produce, but foster a sense of community and support local economies.

Miller said they are devoted to promoting community and provide a space weekly for non-profits to come and share information about their organization. She has also come up with events to interest children, including a weekly treasure hunt and earlier this summer, zucchini races.

A key benefit of farmers’ markets is supporting local farms, which in turn supports the economy.

Busch said that is an important factor.

“From our market, you can drive less than one-quarter mile in any direction and be in farm country,” he said.

Another benefit to farmers is cutting out the middleman, thereby retaining a higher percentage of their earnings, which then boosts the local economy. A farmers’ market allows farmers to interact with their customers, receive immediate feedback and build a loyal customer base.

In addition to freshness of produce and support for local farmers and community, other benefits identified are the availability of unique or hard to find products, organic or health-conscious options and the social atmosphere.

Customers line up at Black Button Distilling’s booth on a sunny day at Medina’s Canal Village Farmer’s Market.

Medina’s first farmers’ market took place in 1975 for Canal Fest.

In 2004, Deb Roberts at the request of the Office for the Aging, handed out senior and WIC coupons that could be redeemed for fresh produce, but there was no market locally.

Roberts formed a committee with Bob Barrus and a representative from Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Farmers Market Federation and representatives from seven or eight farms.

They set up bylaws and the first regular market opened in Albion in 2005, then moved to Medina’s canal basin in 2007.  Ann Nice, Jill Botner and one other were on the board.

By 2014, participation in the market had waned and it was no longer viable. Then Cindy Robinson, president of Medina Business Association; Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group; and Gail Miller hatched a plan to hold a farmers’ market at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue, in a parking lot on property donated to ORG by Bank of America when they left Medina.

Through the years they have had a nice variety of vendors, including wineries, Renko Sausages, SK Herefords, Shirt Factory Café, Baker’s Farm, LynOaken Farms, Panek’s, 810 Meadworks, Herbalty Cottage, the Bread Basket and English Rose Tea Shoppe.

They added features, including weekly musical entertainment, children’s events and El Grande Burrito, whose food truck is set up on site permanently.

TN Smokehouse can often be found at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market, serving up his smoked breakfast and lunch specials.

Many vendors are regulars and others rotate. They include Dot’s Pantry of Amherst, TN Smokehouse, Hartland Organics, Baker Farms, Human Farms, Bower Family Farms, Lock Ridge Apiary, Confection Connection Bakery, Gardner’s Gourmet, Dubby’s Wood Fire Pizza and Greenlief food truck, among others.

Busch said the market is sponsored by Takeform, and this year live music was sponsored by Medina Hardware and Lumber.

Medina’s farmers’ market is unique in that is runs all year. It is open on West Center and West Avenue from June 1 until the end of October. Then it moves indoors on North Main Street from Nov. 1 to May 31 in space donated by Craig Lacy where his NAPA store used to be.

Busch added a very successful Farm to Table dinner served in the middle of Main Street before Covid benefited the market and another is in the planning.

He also stressed big improvements will be coming to the Canal Village Farmers’ Market at the site on West Center and West Avenue.

“We are fortunate to be included as a recipient of the $4.5 million New York Forward Grant,” Busch said. “We are in the design phase of reimagining this entire corner. Work will begin next year and provide indoor space and green space.”

Miller and Busch added a final comment, that they wholeheartedly agree with the findings of inFlow’s survey, and added a local survey they did resulted in much the same responses.

“When you buy from a farmers’ market you have the availability of fresh produce, and we promote a sense of community,” Miller said. “A purchase from a farmers’ market supports small local business and farms, and you know where your food is coming from.”