Gouverneur Famers Market opens tommorow, June 2

The Gouverneur Farmers Market opens on Thursday, June 2, on the Village Green in Gouverneur.  The market will be open from 9:00 to 2:00 every Thursday until October.

The Canton Farmers Market is open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM every Tuesday and Friday until October.

The Potsdam Farmers Market is open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM every Saturday until October.

Farmers markets in Hammond and Massena will open next month.

Farmers Markets are held rain or shine.

In June at the Farmers Markets, you may find asparagus, beets, broccoli, green onions, herbs, lettuce, peas, radishes, rhubarb, scallions, spinach, and strawberries, among other things.  In addition, the markets frequently have other food, wine, and craft vendors. 

All Farmers Markets in St. Lawrence County are equipped to accept debit cards or SNAP-EBT benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps).  To use these cards, the customer should visit the Market Manager's booth, where the cards can be swiped and tokens will be provided to spend with the farmers.  GardenShare manages this service for the Farmers Markets and more information can be found at http://gardenshare.org/content/farmers-markets

This year, thanks to a generous grant from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, GardenShare will be able to double the value for anyone purchasing at the Farmers Market with a SNAP-EBT card.  For each $5.00 charged to the SNAP-EBT card, the customer will receive $10.00 worth of tokens that can be spent for SNAP approved items like fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds, or food plants at the Farmers Market.

In addition, SNAP-EBT customers will receive a frequent customer card.  After visiting and purchasing food at the market five different days, the SNAP-EBT customer will receive an additional $20.00 in tokens to be spent at the Farmers Market for these food items.  This benefit is also supported through the grant from Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield.

"Shopping at our local Farmers Markets is certainly a fun way to meet your neighbors and area farmers while picking up the freshest, healthiest produce possible," said Gloria McAdam, executive director of GardenShare.  "Shopping at the Farmers Markets is especially important because it supports our local farmers and keeps that money in the local economy.  Everyone deserves the chance to take part in the community-building of a Farmers Market and to eat the great food.  GardenShare is happy we can make the benefit of this healthy, locally-grown food accessible to our lower-income neighbors."