It must be spring. The Farmers Market will be open for business for the 18th consecutive year on Elmwood at Bidwell at 8:00am on Saturday, May 7. 

Several new vendors, talented local entertainers, community group informational tables, three KidBiz appearances and two Wellness Lanes will highlight a fun-filled 2016 season at the Elmwood Village Farmers Market. 

The market will once again start the season on the east side of Elmwood Avenue for the first four to six weeks before moving across the street to its usual location on the west side of Elmwood Avenue. This has become an annual practice for the purpose of grass recovery.

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, cheese and much more. Products available at the market are always fresh, seasonal and local. New vendors in 2016 include Barrel & Brine, Belleview Farms, Lloyd Tortillas and Farmer Pirates.

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. EBT sponsors include the Lexington Co-operative Market, Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo, Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition, Creating Healthy Communities and Big Ditch Brewing Company.

“Double Up Food Bucks” will return for its third season, and will be available at the market from July through the end of October. The program provides low-income individuals who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits with a $1 for $1 match to purchase fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

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 also return to the market in 2016. 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 education workshops with the public and provide nutritious recipes involving fruits and vegetables for participants to sample. The weekly recipes will utilize local seasonal produce and give participants “health bucks” which can be exchanged for produce from the farmers at the market. The program is free and open to any customers of the Elmwood Village Farmers Market. 

This season the market will again feature local entertainment every Saturday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., weather permitting. Three community groups will also host informational tables each week. Two Wellness Lane events — sponsored by the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo — will be held on July 18 and Aug. 15. Visitors are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of free health-related activities. KidBiz, a market favorite featuring a variety of businesses run by young entrepreneurs, will appear at the market on June 18, July 9 and Aug. 6.

Local artist Kristin Derby is the winner of the market’s annual poster competition. Her poster will be on display in stores and restaurants throughout the Elmwood Village, and will 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. Derby is the first two-time winner of this annual competition!

This is a a producer-only market, meaning that all our vendors grow or produce what they sell themselves—no middlemen and no compromises.You are dealing directly with the source, helping to create a diverse and healthy local economy!