Downtown Farmers Market Returned to Clinton Square for 45th Season

Syracuse, NY – The 45^th Season of the Downtown Farmers Market kicked off in Clinton Square this morning at 7:00 am, featuring dozens of the region’s best farmers and produce dealers. Presented by the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc., the Market continues every Tuesday through October 10 (with the exception of the Fourth of July Holiday) from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, rain or shine.

The Market offers access to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, baked goods, wine and more – all while encouraging a sense of community.  As the growing season continues, The Market attracts as many as 50 regional farmers providing some of the freshest, healthiest produce available in Central New York.

“The Downtown Farmers Market has been a longtime source of locally-grown foods for the community, and it truly fosters a community feeling too,” said Charles McFadden, market director. “Downtown residents and employees tell us how much they look forward to visiting the Market each week, and farmers tell us how much they look forward to seeing familiar faces and getting to know their Downtown customers as the season continues. Market-goers are thrilled to have access to fresh, healthy foods grown by family farm operations.”

The Downtown Committee will continue programs and partnerships established throughout the season to promote wellness and healthy living. Market-goers can look forward to the return of live cooking demonstrations, presented by the Food Bank of Central New York starting next month. The cooking demonstrations show visitors how they can prepare their fresh market purchases. The Onondaga County Public Library will continue to produce and distribute weekly recipe cards calling for fresh produce and ingredients purchased at the Downtown Farmers Market. The featured recipe of the week may be picked up at the Downtown Farmers Market Information Booth, which is located near the Salina Street entrance to the Market.

New for the 2017 Season, the Downtown Committee is excited to introduce a Lunchtime Live Music Series. To kick things off for Opening Day, Miss E and the Resonators took the Market stage from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. On select Tuesdays throughout the season, the Market will also host Symphoria’s Brass Quintet, Symphoria’s String Quartet, The City of Syracuse’s Stan Colella All Star Band, Tom Gilbo (an Elvis impersonator) and other regional musicians as the Market season continues. The Lunchtime Live Music Series is made possible through a grant from CNY Arts. Performances are scheduled every other week through the end of September, with an additional performance scheduled for the first week in October. Please click here to find a schedule of performances; This will be updated throughout the season.

“While Downtown employees and residents come to the Downtown Farmers Market for fresh produce, the Market is truly a family-friendly event,” said Merike Treier, executive director of the Downtown Committee. “Through our partnerships with the Food Bank of Central New York and the Onondaga County Public Library, Market-goers are able to learn more about healthy living and teach their children how to make healthy food choices in a fun way. The introduction of the Lunchtime Live Music Series provides a glimpse into the vibrancy and positive energy found throughout Downtown Syracuse.”

Keeping with tradition, the Downtown Committee will continue to hold free drawings for fresh produce and unique items donated by farmers, as well as offer early-bird incentives for visiting the Downtown Farmers Market early in the day. The first 50 visitors to display a proof-of-their purchase(s) at the Information Booth between 7:00 am and 10:00 am will be rewarded with a surprise gift. Keeping with tradition, market visitors may choose to purchase a reusable Downtown Farmers’ Market tote bag to carry their purchases.

The community is encouraged to stay in the loop with all things related to the Downtown Farmers Market by subscribing to the Downtown Committee’s weekly electronic Farmers Market Newsletter. The electronic newsletter is distributed every Monday during the Market Season, providing a rundown of the produce that is currently in season, as well as what to expect on the following Market Day. If you’d like to receive weekly updates, send an email to mail@downtownsyracuse.com.

Please visit www.downtownsyracuse.com/farmersmarket for more information about the Downtown Farmers Market. You’re encouraged to join the conversation by following the Downtown Committee on Facebook (Downtown Syracuse), Twitter (@downtownSYR) and Instagram (downtownsyracuse).

About the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc.

The Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit, professional downtown management organization representing all property owners and tenants within the central business district.  The Downtown Committee undertakes programs to improve downtown's image, strengthen its economic base, increase its attractiveness, and assure that it's clean, safe and accessible. For more information, visit www.downtownsyracuse.com.

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