Saturday, May 9 marks the first day of the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers’ Market. Over the winter, a number of the market venders set up inside the Horsefeathers building on the city’s West Side, but now that spring has sprung, they are heading back outdoors on Saturdays through November 28 (8 am to 1 pm, rain or shine).
In 2015, visitors can expect to find:
- An enhanced EBT program, “Double Up Food Bucks” and “Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables!” – these programs afford access to healthy foods to low income families, while combatting obesity
- Three new vendors – K&B Farm, Kindred Kreek and Niagara Distilling Company
- Talented local entertainers
- Two Wellness Weekends (The Wellness Center) July 18 and Aug. 15
- 40 vendors selling fruits, vegetables, baked goods, organics, fresh meat, cut flowers, wine, craft beer, eggs, dairy, honey, cheese
“We are thrilled to be offering the program again this season at the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market,” said Lisa Tucker, co-founder and executive director of Field & Fork Network. “Elmwood-Bidwell was one of the top markets during our program pilot in 2014, and we had an overwhelmingly positive response to the program from both customers who were able to increase their buying power and from the farmers who benefit from the redirection of federal food assistance dollars into the local food economy.”
“The Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market is the perfect place to conduct group nutrition education,” said Sarah Stimpson, RD, CDN, nutrition resource manager at the Food Bank of WNY. “The ‘Just Say Yes’ program is fun and interactive and will benefit both the customers and the farmers at the market. The Registered Dietitian will give customers new recipe ideas for the produce available at the market each week, which could also increase sales for the farmers. I am thrilled to be involved with such a great opportunity in Western New York.”
*Kristin Derby was the winner of the market’s annual poster competition