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Popular Elmwood Village Farmers Market returns to Elmwood & Bidwell on May 13

May 8, 2017 | Events

Weekly yoga classes, several new vendors and two visits from the Buffalo Philharmonic String Quartet are among the highlights of the upcoming Elmwood Village Farmers Market, which returns to the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Bidwell Parkway in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village on May 13. The market will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, rain or shine, through Nov. 25.

A program of the Elmwood Village Association, the market features approximately 40 vendors selling fruits, vegetables, baked goods, organics, fresh meat, cut flowers, wine, craft beer, eggs, dairy, honey, maple syrup, cheese and much more. Products available at the market are always fresh, seasonal and local. New vendors in 2017 include Niagara Mushrooms, Rooted Locally (microgreens), Lilly Belle Meads (meads made from their own bees), Heimiller Greenhouses (plants and hanging baskets) and Carla’s Crumby Creations (organic, natural cookies).

New in 2017, the market will team up with HEAL Bflo to offer free weekly yoga classes from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays. Participants are asked to bring a yoga mat and a bottle of water. Classes will be offered beginning June 3 on the east side of Elmwood Avenue, directly across the street from the weekly market.

Musical entertainment returns each week from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., weather permitting. Highlighting the entertainment schedule will be two performances by the Buffalo Philharmonic String Quartet, at 10 a.m. July 1 and July 29.

Three community groups will also man informational tables at the market each week. KidBiz will bring its young entrepreneurs to the market on June 17, July 8 and Aug. 5, while the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo will host Wellness Lane events on July 15 and Aug. 19.

Again this year, the market will act on its mission to provide increased access to fresh, healthy food by offering an EBT program and by participating in the “Double Up Food Bucks” and “Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables!” programs. The market’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system allows individuals and families receiving public assistance to purchase products from eligible market vendors. EBT sponsors include the Lexington Co-operative Market, Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo and Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition.

“Double Up Food Bucks” returns for its fourth season. The program provides low-income individuals who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits with a $1 for $1 match — up to a $20 match — to purchase fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Please visit the market’s Elmwood Village Association table for details.

The Food Bank of Western New York’s “Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables!” program, a federally funded SNAP-Ed program available through New York State, will return to the market on May 27. The goal of this obesity prevention nutrition education initiative is to promote fruit and vegetable consumption. A Registered Dietitian will be present at the market to conduct nutrition workshops for the public and provide nutritious recipes involving fruits and vegetables for participants to sample. The weekly recipes will utilize local, seasonal produce, and participants will receive $4 in “health bucks” which can be exchanged for produce from the farmers at the market. The program is free and open to any customers of the Elmwood Village Farmers Market. 

Local artist Kristin Derby is a three-time winner of the market’s annual poster competition. Her poster will be on display in stores and restaurants throughout the Elmwood Village and will also be featured on signage at the market. A limited number of posters will be available at the market and at the Elmwood Village Association office, free of charge, while supplies last.

For more information on the Elmwood Village Farmers Market, please visit www.elmwoodmarket.org or follow the market on Facebook for frequent updates. For information on the Elmwood Village Association, please visit www.elmwoodvillage.org.

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