North Creek Farmer's Market organizers reflect on successful season

NORTH CREEK | As Thanksgiving approaches, the organizers of the North Creek Farmer's Market would like to express their gratitude for the many volunteers, vendors, musicians, sponsors, and customers who helped make this year's market a rousing success. "Thanks to wide-ranging support—and several strategic partnerships—the Farmer's Market achieved many of our goals this year," said the market's co-organizer, Beth Maher of North River. "These goals included improving people's health with locally sourced food, stimulating the local economy, and building community." The market, Maher noted, was much more than a place for folks to pick up a carton of just-picked berries, shop for a freshly baked pie, or check out Adirondack-inspired handicrafts. This summer, courtesy of a $2,500 grant from the Hudson Headwaters Health Network, the market was able to participate in a pilot project called "Rx Fresh Food." The grant, called a Network Innovation Grant, supported home visits by Hudson Headwaters Nurse Practitioner Kate Sauer-Jones and Phlebotomist Mya Bennett. Each week, they delivered fresh vegetables from Cobble Creek Farm (only 5 miles from the North Creek health center) to homebound, mostly elderly patients. "Along with the veggies, a "prescription" for $20 worth of fresh food, redeemable at the Farmer's Market, was given," said Maher. Market Co-organizer Peter Horvath pointed out that the market also accepted food vouchers that were distributed by the Adirondack Community Outreach Center Food Pantry. These vouchers, he said, were made possible through a combination of grants and local sponsorships. This year, approximately $7,000 worth of vouchers were redeemed at the market. The voucher program has grown over the years with funding from Adirondack Foundation's Community Fund for the Gore Mountain Region and generous local sponsors such as Revolution Rail, Barton Mine, Garnet Hill Lodge, TC Murphy Lumber Company, and Choptank Mills Associates. But supporting the local economy, addressing food insecurity, and improving the health of residents are just some of the motivating forces behind the weekly farmer's market. "We also wanted to build community and have fun," explains Horvath, who says that the market also featured live music, a children's craft table run by Tannery Pond, books from the Johnsburg Historical Society, and even a chair massage booth (whose proceeds benefited the ACOC's School Backpack Program). Marketgoers were also able to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win an ultra-lightweight Hornbeck canoe (to support Rotary Club scholarships for local students), as well as a book or two (courtesy of the Johnsburg Library). Well-behaved dogs were not only welcome but were also eligible to compete for the coveted title of "Puppy of the Week." Working partnerships and collaborations were key to the market's success, said Maher, who noted that the market is supported by the Town of Johnsburg Occupancy Tax funds and the North Creek Business Alliance, as well as by a number of generous sponsors. "We are so grateful for all the support we received, and we can't wait to return to North Creek's Riverside Park next June," said Maher.

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North Creek Farmer's Market organizers reflect on successful season

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