COOPERSTOWN – From opening day festivities, May 13, to the Dec. 16 end-of-season celebration, the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market (CFM) was a veritable hub of community activity in 2006. This year, market visitors enjoyed everything from balloon art to beer tasting to book signings. The live music lineup was every bit as diverse, featuring – among a host of talented performers – The Tisch Family, Just Throw Money, the Stoddard Hollow String Band and the ever-popular Skip West. In 2006, CFM vendors and customers welcomed a new manager, Jen Hanson. Crop damage caused by June’s heavy flooding dampened the early part of the market season. However, as summer progressed, most vendors rebounded and life at the market continued as usual. Proceeds from fundraising efforts, including a raffle and silent auction, have already been put toward next year’s entertainment budget, and – thanks to a legislative initiative sponsored by Sen. James L. Seward – the market building is now heated during the colder months. Holiday fun and special themes dominated this year at the market, where ladies received free carnations for Mother’s Day, and visitors were treated to warm, spiced apple cider samples in September, and to punch and cookies at Christmas time. Giant gourds took center stage in August, when the market hosted its annual Zucchini Festival, and again in October as pumpkins stole the show in conjunction with the Cooperstown Chamber’s PumpkinFest weekend. The Farmers’ Market continues to be kid friendly – this season’s offerings included Kids’ Day in June, complete with colorful pinwheels for visiting youngsters made by vendor Molly Holtje, and trick-or-treating at the Halloween Harvest. Hanson led special sessions in December, as part of the Holiday Markets, during which children completed seasonal craft projects. Once again, the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market took part in the New York State Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) – FMNP checks were accepted by participating vendors from shoppers enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children Program and in senior citizens’ programs. In conjunction with FMNP, and as part of a new CFM initiative, Hanson conducted farm inspections with the help of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s David Cox, agriculture development specialist. “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our loyal customers and new shoppers for another successful market year,” said Martha Frey, Otsego 2000 executive director. “With concerns about food safety and the cost of transporting food over great distances, we feel more than ever that the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market is an important alternative to an ever-growing global marketplace. Every purchase made at the market helps support a local small business and our region’s economy,” Frey added.
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