LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk | Farms & Markets farmers and other vendors love to talk about their products. It's a fabulous opportunity to find out what growing methods your farmer uses (Organic? Certified Naturally Grown?), what's involved in making those beeswax candles, how many trees the maple vendor taps and so much more. Often there are prepared foods for sale, musical entertainment and information booths. The farmers' market is a smorgasbord for the senses. A 2002 economic impact study in Maine revealed that if the state's consumers shifted to purchasing a modest 1% of their food directly from local farmers it would result in an increase of 5% to each farm's income. Imagine the benefits to our Adirondack farmers and theNorth Country economy if we all managed to purchase 1% locally or even a bit more. How about 10%? It would be a tall order to try to attain 100% locavore status but small steps can accomplish great things. Adirondack farmers' markets come in different shapes and sizes. Somerequire all vendors to exclusively sellitems that they have grown or produced themselves. Other markets permit vendors to purchase some products from other farms or outlets to supplement the wares on their market table. Jane Desotelle, owner of Underwood Herbs and Executive Director of the Adirondack Farmers Market Cooperative explains their rules, "The AFMC operates ten farmers markets in the North Country. We allow our vendors to buy from other New York state farms up to 30% of the product they display, and those products must be labeled as to farm of origin. We believe that the additional product diversity draws more customers and offers them a better selection. A variety of produce is most important at our smaller markets where there are no grocery stores in the area. Our vendors are encouraged to buy in product from as nearby as possible. This helps to support other farmers who are producing locally but not attending the markets." Other markets feel a tighter rein is necessary. The four AuSable Valley Grange Farmers' Markets require that their vendors produce 100% of the items on their table. AVGFM spokespersonAshlee Kleinhammer, a start-up farmer and owner of North Country Creamery, is eager to sell her products at farmers markets through both the AFMC and AVGFM. She says, "Over the winter I became involved in the coordination of the AVGFM, and am particularly inspired by the caliber of my colleagues who are required to sellproducts grown exclusively on their own farms, or art inspired by their own creativity. This standard provides the highest level of product integrity and gives consumers the opportunity to keep their dollars local." As a consumer at any market 52 LOCALadk Magazine Summer 2013

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