Millerton Farmer’s Market set for ‘spooky’ sales month

MILLERTON — As the Northeast Community Center’s farmer’s market heads into its final outdoor months, organizers say there are still a few tricks left in their bag. With autumn underway, the market will continue its new tradition of monthly themes to bring structure and fun to a season that doubles as a family-friendly outing, a place to meet friends and a chance to enjoy local music.

October will be “Spooky Month” at the market, and visitors can expect fall-themed crafts and maybe even a tarot card reader. Halloween will come early on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Katie Cariello, NECC food programs coordinator and market manager, said costumes are encouraged. Kids will be invited to go trick-or-treating around the vendors’ tables.

Looking ahead, November will be “Gratitude Month.” On Saturday, Nov. 8, the market will host programming in honor of Veteran’s Day and spend the month thanking their vendors and other community members.

Cariello is wrapping up her first season as the market manager and has enjoyed working with a small but collaborative team of vendors. “Our vendors are a tight knit group,” she said. “It’s always so lovely to see them collaborating together during the market.” Rather than competing for sales, Cariello and her team have observed a camaraderie that sets the tone for the community-oriented market.

For example, The Baker’s Wife — a small artisan bakery and mill in the Hudson Valley — has supplied bread to a few vendors so they can enhance the display of their products. You can also hear the vendors promoting each other, adds Cariello.

Attendance has spiked and plateaued at different points throughout the summer, but NECC said attendance isn’t always a good indicator of sales, with some vendors selling out on days when attendance was lower. Either way, Cariello and her team are grateful for the foot traffic through Veteran’s Park. “Customers of all kinds, whether they are weekly, visiting or come through once a month, all bring value to the market.”

But it’s not all about the produce and food. Cariello said one of her favorite aspects of the market is actually the NECC crafts table. “A point of pride is when a kid asks to stay and color while parents go purchase their vegetables and baked goods,” she said. “I’m happy we have created a safe and inviting place for families.”

With eyes toward expansion, NECC tested the waters this summer with a secondary market in Amenia, though the organization collectively decided there wasn’t quite enough momentum to continue with that initiative. “Launching a small town farmer’s market can be tough,” Cariello said, offering that while not entirely successful, there were positive aspects that came out of the pilot program. “A lot of good ideas were generated and the experience will positively inform community events moving forward.”

Cariello is grateful for the market’s longtime and new vendors and the relationships she has made in her first year at the helm. “They are the literal bread and butter of the program!”

Accessibility remains a central focus for the market, which continues to expand programs that make fresh, local food more affordable. Through the Double Up Food Bucks program, shoppers using SNAP benefits can double their spending power up to $50, turning $50 in tokens into $100 worth of market food. The market is also working to better support use of Farmers Market Checks, which are provided to seniors, WIC recipients and veterans. So far this season, the market is on track to redeem $1,000 in nutrition incentives — its benchmark goal — though organizers say more outreach is needed to ensure community members know these resources are available.

The NECC Farmer’s Market is always on the lookout for new vendors. If interested, an application is available on the NECC website and prospective vendors can contact the market manager at farmersmarket@neccmillerton.org.