Cold Spring Farmers' Market in New York's Hudson River Valley

Saturday, August 01, 2009

A Letter to Shoppers

Dear Shoppers:

As you may have heard, the Cold Spring Farmer’s Market is looking for a new home.

As much as we have enjoyed our home at the Nest, it is no longer an option for us. The search criteria are: a paved lot for the farmer’s tents and vehicles, safe and adequate parking (we need at least 60-75 spots) for shoppers, a place for a dumpster, a 4x8 permanent shed, a seasonal port-a-potty, a commitment for more than one year with the potential for a long-term partnership and a reasonable rent. It has been our preference to remain in the village of Cold Spring where at least some shoppers can walk to the market, but as our search has unfolded, it has been difficult to find a new home that meets our criteria.

Some suggestions within the Village of Cold Spring that have already been explored and found unworkable, either because they are not available or do not meet our criteria, include the Butterfield Hospital parking lot, most of the local churches, Mayor’s Park, the Haldane ball fields, the Tots’ Park, and Dockside, to name a few. While still exploring spots within the Village, including Haldane School’s Bell parking lot, the Metro North Station parking lot, the remaining churches, and a few other places, the Cold Spring Farmers’ Market has opened the search to locations outside the Village, including Boscobel.

The mission of the Cold Spring Farmer’s Market is to support local, regional and sustainable commercial farms by providing an outlet for direct sales of agricultural products. To that end, while we appreciate the pleasure, convenience and environmental impact walkers bring to the market, the board’s responsibility is to insure that the market is commercially viable. Our farmers depend on the revenues they earn each week. The large majority of our shoppers are drivers and our market needs to be a safe and convenient destination for repeat local customers. If it becomes necessary to leave the village we are researching the possibility of our local trolley making regular stops to our new home.

Nothing has been decided yet. The Market values the opinion of all of our shoppers from throughout Philipstown, and would appreciate if you have any suggestions that you send them directly via email to info@csfarmmarket.org.