“Farmers’ markets are all about getting the farmers as close to the public as possible,” said Norman Greig, whose Hudson Valley Farmers Market has been growing in size and popularity on the Greig Farm property in Red Hook since last December.
Although Greig first conceived the idea of a market here back in 1998, sponsorship by the Hudson Valley Wine and Food Festival not only helped bring the idea to life but has infused the weekly Saturday event with the atmosphere of a county fair. Local musicians are often on hand to entertain customers, and activities for children are in the planning. For now, they can feed the adorable herd of pygmy goats around the corner from the market, which is housed in a beautifully converted, 100-year-old dairy barn.
At the end of April, more than 20 vendors were participating, but that number is increasing rapidly. “We have enough space, there are no limits!” Greig emphasized. This is evident as soon as you pull off Pitcher Lane to park in one of the fields: some vendors are set up outside to welcome customers even before they enter the barn itself.
Gala West of Platte Clove Naturals was one of the many who offer tempting free samples, in this case “Groovy Gourmet Granola.”
“It’s wonderful to be outside,” West said. “They are really welcoming a lot of different vendors to fill this whole area.”
Upon entering the market itself, all the senses are pleasantly assaulted, and it would be wise to bring a supply of tote bags to carry home beeswax, buffalo steaks, gelato, chocolate-filled pretzel rolls, homemade tamales, goat cheese, goat milk soap, Hudson Valley wine, a bouquet of roses, and an ostrich egg as big as a cantaloupe.
Nancy Austin was selling organic roasting chickens and eggs from the solar-powered Feather Ridge Farm in Elizaville, where they mill their own whole-grain feed for their chickens.
“There is a real closeness among the vendors,” she explained. “We are able to offer the best possible produce for the community.”
Katrina Nease of Red Hook was thrilled to find a selection of fresh fish from Pura Vida Fisheries. “I can’t believe I can finally get fresh flounder or hake here any Saturday, when every grocery store tells me they never have any in stock,” she said.
“The difference here is that this is a farmers’ market that was conceived by farmers, is run by farmers, and is on a farm,” Greig noted. “We are also very inclusive in that we bring in farms and vendors throughout the Hudson Valley. The market will be open every Saturday… forever.”
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