Tasty news for residents of New York’s Capital Region!
A year-round farmers’ market in Downtown Albany has launched, hosted by SUNY System Administration on Broadway in Albany [directions] every Thursday afternoon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The farmer’s market is a perfect fit for SUNY. Not only does New York’s public higher education system educate thousands of agriculture students every single year, but promoting a locally-sourced market directly corresponds with SUNY’s commitment to improving the vibrancy of the state’s communities and supports New York’s robust agricultural sector.
“SUNY campuses are anchor institutions in communities across New York, and the same holds true for our historic headquarters in Downtown Albany,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “As part of the fabric of New York State’s Capital City, SUNY is proud to open its doors to the public and to leverage its assets with events like the farmers’ market that attract more people to downtown and bring renewed vitality to this important part of Albany.”
Today, we kicked off Downtown Albany’s only year-round farmers’ market. Visit every Th 11-2! http://t.co/jhLJklEvrt pic.twitter.com/k7WwuTa4Fa
— State U of New York (@SUNY) June 12, 2014
Farm stands at the market include:
– Meredith’s Country Bakery, Ulster County – pies, bread, muffins, gluten free, quiche, pot pies
– Bulich Creekside Farms, Greene County – vegetables, fruit, flowers, mushrooms, sweet corn
– Good Day Honey, Southern Albany County – raw local honey, creamed honey, farm fresh eggs, beeswax candles, soap, body butter, and lip balm
– Hope Valley Farm, Hamilton County – certified naturally-grown vegetables, annual and perennial plants, garlic
– Rheingold Farm, Rensselaer County – hanging baskets, herbs, vegetable seedlings, salad greens, tomatoes, eggplant, beans, melons, squashes, potatoes, and berries
– Scotch Ridge Berry Farm, Schenectady County – raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, vegetable seedlings for your garden
– Meadow Lark Farm, Orange County – bouquets of country cut flowers
– Worldling’s Pleasure, Albany County – cheese spreads, and baked goods including cheesecakes, tarts, and cookies
– Euro Delicacies, Albany County – ready-to-eat authentic Mediterranean foods
– Cravings Too, Inc, Albany County – caramel popcorn, roasted nuts
– Little River Farm, Columbia County – apples, pears, peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, and chestnuts
– Nine Pin Cider Works, Albany County – craft ciders from 100% Capital District and Hudson Valley New York apples. Nine Pin Cider Works, located in downtown Albany, has the distinction of being New York’s first-ever licensed farm cidery.
“We are thrilled to have a farmers’ market in the heart of downtown Albany, and can think of no better place for it than the beautiful SUNY Plaza, one of Albany’s best-loved and iconic sites,” City of Albany Mayor Sheehan said. “On behalf of the city, I want to thank SUNY for hosting the market and helping to expand it to become a year-round event. It’s community partnerships like those exhibited today – between stakeholders and neighbors – that create strong, livable cities and will enhance quality of life in downtown Albany.”
The farmer’s market is established in partnership with Governor Cuomo’s FreshConnect initiative, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the City of Albany, and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District.
Year-round farmers market opens at historic SUNY Building #albany #anamazingdiscovery @SUNY @AlbanyCityHall pic.twitter.com/4gAVxdxivE — Discover Albany (@discoveralbany) June 12, 2014
Chancellor Zimpher also formally opened the plaza lawn to the community for the summer and invited the public and the Downtown Albany community to utilize SUNY’s green space and visit the historic SUNY building to view the student artwork now on display on the first floor.
Chancellor Zimpher also highlighted the university system’s coordinated farm-to-market procurement program, SUNY Commits, in which campuses agree ahead of growing season to collectively purchase locally-grown or processed foods to be procured in dining halls. The program launched in October with the purchase of 1,000 gallons of tomato sauce by 12 SUNY campuses. SUNY is seeking to expand the program to include more SUNY colleges in the coming years, as well as more New York products, such as meats, fruits, and vegetables.
