The Farmers' Market: Building on a Good Thing

Since its inception a few years back, Carrie Maziarz has been the heart and soul of the Village of Brockport’s Farmers’ Market. She’s tackled every detail imaginable in orchestrating a relatively complex activity.

For example, shoppers probably don’t realize as they search for the perfect squash or pick a peck of peppers, but ours is one of the few local markets that’s registered with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. This is a feather in Brockport’s cap (or cart, as the case may be) because this registration requires our market to meet different—some say higher—standards than markets that are not registered. We have the former village trustee to thank for this, and for the organizational aplomb that has made it a pleasure for buyers and sellers to come out on Sundays to peruse produce.

While I’m happy to leave it to the market manager to promote the selection and quality, if I were to suggest a slogan for our market, it might be “Get Fresh!” because you likely won’t find better products anywhere around. Those who are market regulars already know this, of course!

Back in June, nearing the end of her term in elected office, Carrie submitted to the board of trustees her plan for succession of the market. Much as we’d like her to, Carrie can’t continue on at the market. With several early Sunday mornings under her belt, she decided back then that it was time for her to focus her considerable energy elsewhere.

What Carrie proposed for the market moving forward is a partnership between the Village of Brockport and the Brockport Merchants’ Association. Each would sponsor the market and contribute to its continued success. While it remains to be seen whether Carrie’s shoes can be filled, I believe as she does that her ideas form the best plan to ensure the stability of the market, and to foster even greater prosperity. I’m not anxious to see her go, but at least I can take comfort in knowing that her vision is to place the market in good hands.

So today, I send a hearty thanks to Carrie Maziarz first for setting up the farmers’ market here in Brockport and also for setting it in the right direction on the eve of her departure.

And if you haven’t already this summer, I hope this Sunday you’ll take a stroll down to Market Street between 8 a.m.-2 p.m. You’ll be glad you did.