SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – For the last four months, James Bell has not taken a single day off. He works dawn to dusk traveling to Central New York farmer’s markets during the week and to various other locations on the weekends, managing the Ma & Pa’s Kettle Corn stand.
Now that fall is in full swing and the weather starts to change, local farmer’s markets begin to shut down for the season, changing the way vendors such as Bell go about their sales.
“Our popcorn factory in Liverpool will start to do a lot of holiday stuff and our wholesale business picks up with sales and fundraisers in schools,” Bell said.
Bell is one of many vendors that need to adapt to the changing season. He has the benefit of a year-round product, whereas many farmers need to capitalize on produce as soon as possible.
“It’s a little more difficult to get the produce in the hands of the customer if you don’t have a market to go to,” said Bethany Ingersoll, a saleswoman for Ingersoll Farms in Fulton. “We try social media, word of mouth and handing out business cards to say ‘We are still open and if you need produce, just call and you can come to the farm.'”
The end of the season is different for each vendor, some with more difficulties than others. For Bell, he plans to take some well-deserved time off and has a trip to Cancun, Mexico with his wife planned for this winter.
