Franklin Farmers’ Market will be opening for the season on Sunday May 24th. In the Village of Franklin on Institute Street, the market will be open every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Franklin’s market offers locals produce and products for sale in the fresh air and sunshine.
Vendors from Franklin and surrounding towns will sell organic breads, baked goods, beef, eggs, herbs, honey, jams & jellies, maple candies and syrup, mushrooms, plant seedlings, preserves, a variety of produce, relishes, sunflower oil, and teas. Returning vendors include Cordwood Acres, East Brook Farm, Empire Angus Farm, Enough … and A Little Bit More, and John the Baker. New this year are Holiday Farm Biscuit Co. of Worcester and Off-Road Maple of Franklin. (New vendors are invited.) Fokish will return the next week, Hare & Feathers in June, and Sherman Hill Goat Farm in July. For current offerings or to order online for pick-up, consult the Facebook page of the the market: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinNYFarmersMarket/
Franklin Farmers’ Market accepts coupons from the Farmers’ Market Nutritional Program.
While the offerings are the same, the shopping will be a bit different. Interim COVID-19 guidelines are to protect the health of all. Vendors and customers will wear masks. Only one customer at a time will shop in a booth. Vendors will handle and bag the customer’s selections. Masks will be provided for all who forget theirs. Customers should be free of symptoms, as should all of their household. Anyone who has been infected should wait two weeks from their first symptom before shopping. There will be more space both between the vendor’s booths and across the the market way.
Currently NYS Ag & Market bans the sale of non-food items, demonstrations, eating at the market, and musical performances. The market will resume these offerings as restrictions are eased.
This is the 14th year of Franklin Farmers’ Market providing a venue for local bakers, craftsmen, and farmers on the lawn of Chapel Hall, which was built in the 1850s as part of the Delaware Literary Institute. A half-century later, this three-story post-and-beam Greek Revival became the temple of the Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge #562. For the last 24 years, it has housed the Franklin Stage Company, offering free professional theater.
The entire village of Franklin is on the National Historic Registry, and a self-guided walking tour is available. It is situated on State Highway 357, part of the route of the old Catskill/Susquehanna Turnpike, which in the early 1800s was a main route from the Hudson River landings to the western frontier.
Take-out breakfasts and lunches are offered around the corner at The Tulip and the Rose Café and Bea’s 422. Currently shopping on Main Street is closed but should reopen in the second phase of the roll-back of restrictions. Retail includes Blue Farm Antiques, Franklin Durable Goods, Kabinett & Kammer, Mercentile on Main, and The Squire’s Tavern.
Market is a community effort: hosted by Franklin Stage Company, managed by Franklin Local, and sponsored by Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce.