07/07/2023
๐ฆ๐๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐!
The summer Farmers Market season kicked off on June 22nd here in St. Lawrence County and with it comes the much anticipated summer produce! As we approach peak summer you can expect a multitude of different options including garlic scapes, beans, a variety of leafy greans, and fruit like blueberries and raspberries.
For a full list of the abundance in store this season at our local Farmers Markets check out our 2023/24 Local Food Guide available at any GardenShare tent or the interactive food guide on our website!
๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐ง๐ผ ๐ข๐๐ฟ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐
We at GardenShare are lucky to have several generous grantors supporting the Farmers Market Token Program to assist SNAP eligible families, residents, and visitors in accessing fresh and local food and produce.
United Way of Northern NY and the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Charitable Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation helps cover the cost of token transactions and materials at participating Farmers Markets, ensuring vendors receive the full value of all sales. Along with The St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Association and Farm Credit East, these organizations have provided funding for promotional efforts to raise awareness of farmers markets in St. Lawrence County. Additionally, Grasseroots Fund has allowed us to upgrade out of date technology, including Farmers Market tablets and office equipment.
๐ ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ป๐ด๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ฟ!
Annabelle Petrichor from Canton, NY is joining the GardenShare team as the new Community Engagement Coordinator! Learn a bit more about her here:
Why I do what I do (at GardenShare): Growing up in the North Country instilled in me a passion for local, sustainably sourced food. That through line has presented itself in my career in a multitude of ways that have ultimately led me back to the North Country, now in a position where I can leverage that life-long passion to give back to my neighbors and work in a community passionate about both quality food as well as food justice.
Favorite song, book, or movie?: My favorite book series is The Expanse by James S. A. Corey.
Hobbies: Reading, Hiking, & Board Games
What could I find in your refrigerator right now?: Gochujang, mushrooms, hummus, and left-over rice!
๐๐ผ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐จ๐ฝ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ธ๐
Starting July 1st Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) are available at the Canton, Potsdam, Gouverneur, Hammond, and Massena Farmers Markets. This program provides Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligible families with twice the buying power, up to $20 per day, to assist eligible families in purchasing fruits & vegetables.
The Double Up Food Bucks program works when SNAP households visit the farmers markets manager table to use their card. For every $2 in SNAP benefits spent, customers will receive an additional silver $2 DUFB token. These tokens can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables at the markets. DUFB Tokens are not refundable and have no expiration date.
GardenShare is excited to work with the Field & Fork Network to offer this resource to our community.
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ก๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฏ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐น๐ ๐ญ๐ฌ๐๐ต
Each year, GardenShare recognizes an individual or organization whose efforts strengthen food security in northern New York State. The award, which began in 2003, has been awarded to a varied recipient group including several local farmers, food service staff, a foodbank, school meal programs, food pantries and several community groups.
GardenShare is currently seeking nominations for the 2023 Growing Community Award, which will be presented at the Fight Hunger Fair and 5K held on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at the Canton Village Park. Individuals, families, or organizations who are demonstrating progress in solving the problem of hunger or building a stronger local food system that benefits all North Country residents may be nominated for this recognition.
More information, including a list of past recipients and the nomination form, can be found here. Nominations are due by Monday, July 10, 2023.
๐จ๐ฝ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐
โข Due to some wild June storms, the Summer Opening Day festivities at the Potsdam Farmers Market have been rescheduled for July 8th.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to indulge in mouthwatering local produce and goods while enjoying a wide array of delightful children’s activities. Come join us at the Potsdam Farmers Market Summer Opening Day on July 8th, where you can expect a market with additional vendors, Food Trucks, and special events.
โข Family Fun Day at the Hammond Farmersโ and Artisansโ Market is scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Gibbs Pavilion, 14 Main Street. Stop by between 3pm and 6pm for family-friendly fun including a Story Walk, Farm Fresh Fishing game, and Veggie Patch Photos, as well as produce and meat vendors, baked and craft goods, and music.
โข Fight Hunger Fair and 5K is scheduled for September 17, 2023 at Canton Village Park. The family-fun event is focused on bringing awareness to Hunger Action Month. There will be multiple interactive food focus activities, community partners, and a 5K or 1 mile walk/run fundraising. More information will be coming along in next month’s newsletter!
GardenShare is still seeking corporate sponsorship for this event! If you are interested in supporting us and our mission to fight hunger and food insecurity in our community, please read our 2023 Sponsor Letter. To sponsor the event, fill out our Sponsorship Options Form and return it and the donation to GardenShare, PO Box 516, Canton, NY 13617 or call (315) 261-8054.
