On Thursday, June 4, hundreds of market-goers came out to Fayetteville Town Center to see what is in store from their favorite local farms and businesses at the weekly Fayetteville Farmers’ Market.
The Fayetteville Farmers’ Market is in its second year, and has grown from 25 vendors to a total of almost 40 this year.
“We’re in a circular setup this year, which I think allows for a nice and organized setup with different access points,” said Stephanie Lipsey, market manager and co-owner of Drover Hill Farm in Earlville. “With the addition of the new vendors, we’ve diversified more … We wanted to hit more people who are interested in different products and things.”
Also different from last year are the hours, which expanded to noon to 6 p.m. this year, rather than from 3 to 7 p.m. like it was last year.
“Our hope is with the change of hours is to bring in more people and make it easier to come at times convenient for them,” said Lipsey.
Market-goers can enjoy a wide range of fresh and local products, including freshly picked vegetables and fruits, meat from locally raised animals, fresh baked good, beautiful flowers and plants for the home and garden, wine and beer, as well as many other products from local businesses.
Lipsey said customers should return throughout the season to see how the market offerings change because different fruits and vegetables grow on different timelines and are harvested throughout the summer.
One of the vendors who returned from last year includes Hartwood Farm, which provides a wide range of locally picked produce.
“We’re already way busier today that we thought” said Mary Ellen Sheean, of Hartwood Farm. “I think it’s a good sign for the season … It seems like there’s a good mix of vendors here this year and that should help bring in a lot of customers.”
According to Lipsey, the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market is in the process of planning a winter market, with hopes it will be able to be open this upcoming winter season inside the common area at the Fayetteville Town Center building.
The summer market will run every Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. in the Fayetteville Town Center parking lot. The last day of the market for the season is planned to be October 15.
For more information about the market, or to find a complete list of vendors, visit fayettevillefarmersmarketcny.com or ‘like’ them on Facebook at facebook.com/FayettevilleFarmersMarketCNY.
Hayleigh Gowans is a reporter for the Eagle Bulletin. She can be reached at [email protected].
