To the Editor:

The Potsdam Farmers’ Market recently finished up a great outdoor season on Saturday October 25th. The market wishes to thank all of our loyal customers who supported our local farmers and crafters, week after week, rain or shine. Your steady visits to the market promote the value of eating and buying local fresh foods and boosts Potsdam’s economy!

We thank Mother Nature! Starting in May, we were graced with perfect weather and didn’t have a rainy day until September!

We would also like to thank our board of directors, the Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Potsdam. Furthermore, we thank Dan and Michelle Clemons of Dan’s Heating and Plumbing for donating access to a clean porty-potty!

The market ran smoothly with help from intern Meriam Loukili, undergraduate student at Clarkson University. Meriam was integral in our EBT/SNAP and Debit transactions, advertising, vendor promotion and making the market a fun and welcoming place for all!

Thanks goes out to Clarkson Chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity who helped set up and take down at market and hosted our cabbage bowling game.

We recognize area eateries: Hot Tamale, Between the Buns and The Bagelry for offering lunch discounts to our vendors.

We thank Tim Gardner of Jernabi Coffee & St. Lawrence Valley Roasters who made special deliveries of his coffeehouse drinks to vendors every week.

Much gratitude for all representatives from GardenShare who gave out recipes on a bi-weekly basis in their “Produce Spotlight”. GardenShare also provides the service for EBT/SNAP and Debit transactions, making shopping at the market a breeze! Thanks to NYS Agriculture and Markets and

A big thank you to a special shopper who began our "Kid's Fun Fund" which provided toys for young shoppers to enjoy during their visits.

During the season, we hosted two special events: Family Fun Day and Fall Fest. Both offered special games, live music and even a photobooth.

New this year, we spearheaded a summer-long literacy project called “Market Book Safari”. We would like to thank the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs in Potsdam for their generous donations and to Sarah Sachs, for her guidance. We were able to distribute over 60 books to young readers this summer.

Live music and performers, spotlighting the amazing artists we have in the area. Donating their time and talents to the market rounded out a shopper’s experience and entertained us all! Countless thanks to: Trica Zehyer (Hula Hoop extraordinaire) John Fealy, Matt Stevens, Zach Sandecki, The PointerCounts, The A Sharp Arrangement, The Pitches, Church and State (Chris Brown and Tom Baker), Dan Sullivan- Catlin, Sal Sarmiento, The Matune Creek Band, Andy Van Duyne and Mike Welch a.k.a “Microburst”, Geoff 'Hayton', “Sound of Nashville” Charlie LaFountain and Max Fobare, KTX (Kyle Tupper Experience), Jon Dufoe, Kyle Tupper, and last but not least, The Veils of the Nile belly dancers!

Many thanks to community groups: Nature Up North for offering a unique craft for kids and The Nature Center of Massena that taught us about animal tracking and leaf identification.

We unfortunately suspended our Wednesday hours for the season due to the slower than normal growing season, brought about by the harsh winter and late spring. However, our Saturday market was booming with a wide variety of vendors and items for sale. We had 17 regularly attending farmers, 5 value added vendors, 4 crafters, and 5 one time only visiting booths. Shoppers found goods ranging from all natural laundry soap to apples to fresh chicken to shitake mushrooms to fruit jams to one of kind clothing to asparagus.

Clarkson University has graciously donated the lobby of Cheel Arena on campus again for our Winter Market. Please come shop during the winter and spring: Saturdays 8:30 am to 12 noon. Please note that the following dates, there is no market due to other events at Cheel: 11/8, 11/15, 12/13, 3/20, 4/11, & 4/18.

Lastly, be sure to visit out Facebook and Website (thepotsdamfarmersmarket.org). There are lots of photos from the season and interviews with vendors. These resources are a great way to stay updated on the market during the year.

Laura Popielski

Market Manager