ANCHOR: Summer is here and so are the local farmers markets. Our reporter Cody Stokes is live in Camillus with more.
CODY STOKES: Yeah guys like you said, and like Griffin said, it’s hot out here. But it’s not stopping Camillus residents to come down to their local market.
Farmers markets are a great way to bring people together. At the Camillus Farmers Market, Linda Nielson is open for business.
LINDA NIELSEN: It’s amazing, there’s so many farmers markets around Central New York, a lot of items being sold, and people depend on this, this is our main income, this is it.
Nielson works at Abdo’s Garden Market in Manlius, and says farmers markets are critical for small businesses. Wendy Goldenbaum says it’s also a great opportunity to socialize.
WENDY GOLDENBAUM: It gives people a chance to get out and enjoy the weather, a sense of community, people like meeting other people out here, and it’s just a good time, I think.
CODY: In addition to helping out the community, fresh produce is the healthier option.
NIELSEN: I’m waiting for the tomatoes. There’s nothing like fresh, you know? It says fresh in the grocery stories, and yes it is, but it’s not the same.
CODY: Goldenbaum and Nielsen both say that these markets drive the community and help local businesses thrive.
CODY LIVE: Once again, there are several local farmers markets in the area, it’s a great way to involve yourself in the community and support local businesses, for now that’s all, back to you in the studio.
ANCHOR: Thanks Cody. For more details about Syracuse farmers markets, you can visit visitsyracuse.com.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Farmers markets provide a platform for local farmers and businesses to sell their goods and strengthen the community.
At the Camillus Farmers Market, customers can find produce, but also fresh, local flowers. Linda Nielsen works at Abdo’s Garden Market in Manlius and says farmers markets pay the bills.
“It’s amazing, there’s so many farmers markets around Central New York, a lot of items being sold,” Nielsen said. “People depend on this, this is our main income, this is it.”
Along with summer came the fruit season. Strawberries are currently in season, but Nielsen is thinking about something else.
“I’m waiting for the tomatoes,” she laughed. “There’s nothing like fresh, you know? It says fresh in the grocery stores but it’s not the same.”
These markets have the power to accomplish two things: bringing people together and supporting the community.
“It gives people a chance to get out and enjoy the weather, a sense of community,” said Wendy Goldenbaum, who helps organize the Camillus Farmers Market. “People like meeting other people out here, and it’s just a good time, I think.”
The value of access to fresh food is a large factor of what makes a farmers market important, and it’s no different in Central New York.
“Keeping our businesses alive, keeping our community healthy, affordable,” Goldenbaum said. “Groceries are not cheap these days, but coming straight to the source a lot of times will make it cheaper.”
