Schroon Farmers Market continues to grow

SCHROON LAKE | The Schroon Lake Farmers Market is entering into its second season strong, and founder Alexis Conners is bringing new innovative ideas to the "table" to further the market's success, and continue her mission of providing a positive space for the community. "Last year's opening year was above and beyond anything I could have ever hoped for and imagined," Conners said. "It has been so rewarding to keep going. My goal for the season was how to get everyone here and make them feel welcome." The Schroon market's season opened up June 15, and already has doubled its numbers from last year, with 750 enjoying the market just last week. The location has moved to the Pavilion with a view of the lake, which will allow for not only a rain or shine consistency, but has also made way for an expansion in vendors and programming. Most notable is the creation of the market's own currency system, Market Tokens. Made of wood and acting like cash, the tokens have created a micro-economy within the market and ensure everyone has a reliable manner to purchase as they shop. Available at the manager's table at the start of the market, they may be purchased with any form of payment and make the shopping experience more seamless and fluid. "I found everyone carried a credit card, but when you add in fees and technology not always easy and sometimes the systems don't work for vendors, and the fact that many younger shoppers prefer to pay with Venmo or Apple Pay, there seemed to be was a gap in making sure everyone had a way to pay and buy," Conners noted. "The $5 token system works just like cash or a gift card, customers give them to vendors and if an item is less than five dollars they will receive cash back. At the conclusion of the market, vendors will turn in their tokens and get cashed out." So far, Conners' system is working out just as planned and has also been a huge benefit to the market's food assistance program. Last year when she would converse with shoppers, she noticed immediately that the shopping community appeared to be comprised primarily of visitors and seasonal folks- a higher-income demographic. "We need everyone to support the market, but for me living in town year-round, you can see we have almost two different demographics here. When you look at the food pantry and the amount of people they service in a week, it's very eye-opening." Conners applied for and wrote a grant for a food assistance program that was Schroon Lake Farmers Market-specific, creating a program that was asking for funding to sponsor families to shop at the market. The Gore Mountain Region Community Fund awarded $1,000 to the cause, and the Schroon Lake Food Pantry graciously giving $2,000 towards the program as well, which means 150 families are sponsored for the summer with $20 certificates handed out. "Our food assistance program piggybacked off of those tokens," Conners explained. "The way the program works is that shoppers will get their $20 certificate from the Schroon food pantry (open Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to noon) or from me at the manager's table on Saturdays, which they may exchange for tokens and can use at any vendors. This opens up access to the state programs and may also be used for ready-to-eat items at the market as well." Conners credits the token system for being a solid tracking system for the market, as well as making the experience a level playing field for customers, adding anonymity for shoppers who may be embarrassed or apprehensive about utilizing food assistance programs. "It's a huge priority to make sure the market is a comfortable environment for everyone," Conners said. "This food assistance program has been a great way to get everyone from the community to the market- it is just as much for them as it is for summer people or anyone else. The goal is accessibility for our entire community- everyone wins with this, shoppers and vendors both." Conners also started the Friends of the Schroon Lake Farmers Market, a 501(c)(3), a group that bolsters the market with engaging programming for families and interactive children's activities and also supports local musicians. "This is a seed of hope for positive change in the area," Conners noted. "People have already been so incredibly generous- from all of the donations we are able to pay all of our musicians each week, which is wonderful." There is no set membership rate, with Conners saying $1 donation is just as valuable a a $500 donation. All donations are tax-deductible. "I think it is really important people feel they can be a part of this and support something," she said. "We are able to host the kids' activities in partnership with the Schroon Pickleball Club, we have a master food preserver from Essex County Cornell Cooperative Extension coming to town and hosting how to make pickles for us. We are hoping to expand that and do more how-tos and educate people, and even in the off-season host talks and have conversations. The Schroon Lake Farmers Market will run every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Sept. 7. A pop-up Harvest Market will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19. Please visit www.schroonlakefarmersmarket.com for updates, events, and a comprehensive list of live musicians and special presentations. Sign up to become a Friend of the Market may also be found there. You may also follow on Instagram and Facebook @schroonlakefarmersmarket.

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Schroon Farmers Market continues to grow

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