Farmers market draws big crowd for season opener

MILLERTON — The Millerton Farmers Market opened in a big way last weekend, with a large Memorial Day weekend crowd ready to survey and sample the best the Harlem Valley has to offer.

The number of vendors has nearly doubled this year, from 12 to 20. North East Community Center Executive Director Jenny Hansell said there were even five or six vendors on the waiting list, and with all the interest the community center-sponsored market would take a few weeks to see if space could be found for the additional vendors.

“We’re delighted,†Hansell said of the opening.

New market manager Betsey McCall is planning plenty of additional activities and events, unique to each week, including a variety of musicians and chef demos. Tim Cocheo from No. 9 restaurant in Millerton was on hand for opening day, showing curious bystanders how to prepare an arugula salad with products purchased from the market.

“We’ll be continuing to work with the community to create events that work well for Millerton and the surrounding area,†McCall said, mentioning ideas like a library story hour as an example of ways to involve the entire area. “The farmers market is not only about local sustainable agriculture but it’s also a way to come and meet neighbors. It’s outreach for the community.â€

Everyone is happy to see the market continue to expand with each year that it’s open.

“I was here last year and it definitely looks bigger and better,†said Tara Richards, who was sampling an apple cider donut from Breezy Hill Orchards.

“The market is alive and well,†proclaimed state Assemblyman Marc Molinaro, who dropped in after hosting a town hall-style meet and greet at Simmons Way Village Inn. “It’s a great opportunity to get the products out in front of folks over the weekend for local farms and it really is an added benefit to the community.â€

Jason Culver from new vendor Farmscapes, located on McGhee Hill Road in Millerton, said that the market was the perfect opportunity to “try something new and different†with his business.

“There’s a nice flow of traffic and it’s well organized,†he said. “It’s early [in the season] but there’s still a good clientele here.â€

Hansell said that this season will held in memory of someone very special to the market who passed away recently.

“This season of the market is dedicated to the memory of Karen Kisslinger,†she said after the opening, in an e-mail. “The market was her idea, and it was her connections to the farmers who joined us for the first season that got us started.  She was a visionary, and she also rolled up her sleeves to do the hard hands-on — we’ll be raising money for the scholarship fund established in her name at the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.â€

The Millerton Farmers Market will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Dutchess Avenue, across from Herrington’s. Visit neccmillerton.org/farmers.htm for more information.

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