Farmers Markets are common sights these days in communities around the area, but back in the mid-1970s, they were few and far between.
The popular North Chili Farmers Market came into existence at that time and is marking the 40th anniversary of its beginnings this year.
Gretchen Dent was one of the first local residents to shop at the market. She has been making weekly visits for four decades.
“I shop here because the fruits and veggies are grown locally,” she says. “I don’t go to get produce at grocery or department stores.”
Dent says she loves the fact North Chili is a real farmers market and has come to be an integral part of the community. “I know just about everybody,” she says.
One of the original vendors was Whittier Farm Market, which continues to be a market mainstay. Judy Russell of Whittier says the market has, “A steady customer base – the community knows we’re here. The customers get to know the growers.”
Russell remembers visiting the farmers market in Batavia in 1974 with a friend (Nancy Mauro) and the two agreed: “… we can do that!” They brought the idea of a farmers market back to the United Methodist Church at 2200 Westside Drive, and the North Chili Market was born with a handful of initial vendors.
Russell says the third generation of her family is now helping with market Saturdays in North Chili and commends market managers for the work they do.
“They pay attention and have a good relationship with the vendors,” she observes. Roger Dart helps manage the market and says longtime vendors such as Whittier and others are the key to the market’s success.
“Whittier Farm Market was one of the original vendors and, of course, they are still with us. I feel that this, along with some other long-time vendors such as Partyka Farms and Roger Rouse’s Honqualac Haven have had a very positive impact on maintaining the market’s integrity and its popularity,” he says.
Tan Childs Mountain Grown Blueberries and Chestnuts “has been coming for over ten years,” Peter Childs says. He and his children bring their deep blue gems from the “enchanted mountains” of Hinsdale, NY in Cattaraugus County.
“We enjoy the grass and the trees,” he says of the market grounds surrounding the United Methodist Church. “Everyone is always so friendly — it’s like family.”
With its base of long-time vendors, the market also continues to draw new growers. Stewart’s Family Farm CSA in Howard, NY, near Hornell, is an example. Hannah (Woodard) and husband, Dan, bring fresh fruits and veggies, maple products, handmade goat’s milk soap and Shetland wool to the market.
“We are no spray and follow organic practices,” Hannah says.
Members of the farm’s CSA can pick up their produce at the North Chili Farmers Market each week.
“My husband and I love growing things,” she says. “We are passionate about good food and sharing it with other people.”
Hannah adds that she and Dan strive to provide customers with high quality produce and products at reasonable prices.
She says customers who come to the North Chili market appreciate the efforts of local growers and producers. “I love this market,” she says. “It’s a favorite with customers and vendors.”
Brian and Jessica DeConinck of DeConinck Farms in Spencerport agree. They, too, are first-time vendors and say they feel the North Chili Farmers Market is, “… everything a farmers market is supposed to be.”
The market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the last weekend of October.
On the first Saturday of the month, a pancake breakfast sponsored by the church is held from 8 to10 a.m. “The pancake breakfasts have been wildly successful,” Roger Dart notes, with about 150 people attending. He adds that the Gates-Chili Rotary Club is currently participating in the market with a book exchange and the Ogden Farmers’ Library has shown an interest in hosting a “pop-up” library at the market this summer.
Market vendors
•Galatin Acres (meat products)
•Honqualac Haven (vegetables, flowers)
•Penna Farm (vegetables and fruits)
•Shady Lane Bakery (Amish)
•Brian’s Kitchen (cookies only, once a month)
•S&T Christ (fruits, vegetables)
•Watts (fruit, honey)
•Partyka (fruit, vegetables, bulk food items, donuts)
•Robb Farms (fruit, vegetables, donuts)
•DeConinck Farms (fruit, vegetables)
•Whittier (fruit, vegetables)
•Stewart’s Family Farm (organic vegetables, maple products, wool)
