Canajoharie farmers market planned

By KERRY McAVOY, The Leader—Herald
CANAJOHARIE — Village residents and tourists will have a new place to purchase New York state foods and goods.

Beginning May 10, a farmers market will be open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Arkell Museum.

The market is the effort of the Canajoharie-Palatine Bridge Chamber of Commerce, with the help of a group of local organizers.

“We chose the museum because we were looking for a nice, open area to hold it and the museum agreed,” said Holly Rieser, secretary and board member for the Chamber of Commerce. Rieser said the museum board agreed to the arrangement because it thought the farmers market would be good for both the downtown area and the museum.

There is a list of requirements for vendors who will sell their wares at the event. All products sold must be produced in the state, and at least 50 percent of a vendor’s goods must be produced and raised on property they own or rent.

The market is looking for a variety of food vendors for the event, Rieser said. Produce, prepared foods, bakery goods and crafts are all being sought to create variety for consumers.

“We are looking for a mix of fruits, vegetables and pies,” said Rieser. “We are also trying to get artisan bread makers there.”

The group is also looking for craft makers to come to the event. Crafters must go through an approval process before they can be given a space at the market, Rieser said.

“A jury of the organizers will see the goods to determine if they can come into the market,” said Rieser.

Organizers hope to bring more attention to the downtown area of the village through special events conducted during the markets. Ideally, Rieser said, consumers would stop at the farmers market and make the short walk to the downtown area to visit local shops and restaurants.

Special events also will be conducted every week to make the event more enticing. Rieser said the organizers are working with different groups, but nothing has been finalized yet. She said they will know more information on the special events soon.

According to a news release, the chamber is planning to promote the event both locally and throughout the Mohawk Valley region. The chamber hopes to bring in tourism from around the area into the village via the market, according to the release.

The markets are nothing new to Canajoharie. Rieser said the village had them on and off for years. The latest farmer’s market is a reorganized effort.

“Canajoharie has had a 35-year tradition of holding farmer’s markets,” Rieser said. “We’re building on the rich tradition of farming in the Mohawk Valley.”

So far, eight vendors have committed to the event. The group is looking for more than 25 vendors for the event.

To obtain vendor applications or more information on the Canajoharie Farmers Market, visit www.canpalc.com or call the chamber at 673-4434.

For more information or applications, contact Michele McGlone at michelemcglone@hotmail.com.

More information about the events that will accompany the market and a list of vendors will be available in the upcoming weeks.



Kerry McAvoy covers Montgomery County. She can be reached at montco@leaderherald.com.