The Elmwood Village Farmers Market, Western New York’s favorite open-air marketplace, will return to the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Bidwell Parkway in Buffalo’s historic Elmwood Village on Saturday, May 12. The market will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday mornings, rain or shine, through November.

A program of the Elmwood Village Association, the market features approximately 40 vendors selling fruits, vegetables, baked goods, organics, fresh meat, cut flowers, wine, craft beer, eggs, dairy, honey, maple syrup, cheese and much more. Products available at the market are always fresh, seasonal and local. New vendors in 2018 include Sitka Salmon, Five Points Bakery, Spar’s European Sausage & Meats, and Long Cliff Vineyard & Winery.

HEAL Bflo will return to offer free weekly yoga classes from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturdays. Participants are asked to bring a yoga mat and a bottle of water. Classes will be offered beginning June 2 on the west side of Elmwood Avenue, directly beyond the market.

Musical entertainment returns each week from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., weather permitting. 

Four community groups will host informational tables at the market each week. Plus, the popular KidBiz program will bring its young entrepreneurs to the market on June 16, July 7 and Aug. 4, while the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo will host Wellness Lane events on July 21 and Aug. 18.

Again this year, the market will act on its mission to provide increased access to fresh, healthy food by offering an EBT program and by participating in the “Double Up Food Bucks” and “Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables!” programs. The market’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system allows individuals and families receiving public assistance to purchase products from eligible market vendors.

“Double Up Food Bucks” will return on June 30 for a fifth season. The program provides low-income individuals who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits with a $1 for $1 match — up to a $20 match — to purchase fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Please visit the market’s Elmwood Village Association table for details.

The Food Bank of Western New York’s “Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables!” program, a federally funded SNAP-Ed program available through New York State, will return to the market on the following dates: June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 1 and Oct. 6. The goal of this obesity prevention nutrition education initiative is to promote fruit and vegetable consumption. A Registered Dietitian will be present at the market to conduct nutrition workshops for the public and provide nutritious recipes involving fruits and vegetables for participants to sample. The recipes will utilize local, seasonal produce found at the market. The program is free and open to any customers of the Elmwood Village Farmers Market.  

Local artist Kristin Derby designed the market’s annual poster. Her poster will be on display in businesses throughout the Elmwood Village and will also be featured on signage at the market. A limited number of posters will be available at the market and at the Elmwood Village Association office, free of charge, while supplies last.

For more information on the Elmwood Village Farmers Market, please visit www.elmwoodmarket.org or follow the market on Facebook for frequent updates. For information on the Elmwood Village Association, please visit www.elmwoodvillage.org.