New Farm Store Opening in Onondaga County

Dan Palladino of Palladino Farms in Pompey is opening a new farm store at 2 p.m. Friday Jan. 13 (today).

Palladino said "we will have product samples and tastings by Trinity Valley Dairy, Clean Slate balsamic vinegars and honey, breads by Alambria Springs farm and maple products from Dutch Hill maple."

Palladino said the primary reason for starting the store is he believes there is a "huge unmet need for a place selling local foods in our town and area. In addition, the town of Pompey passed a very farm friendly law in 2015 called the "farm business overlay", which allows qualified farmers to have commercial enterprises on their farm if they meet certain criteria."

One of the main criteria is a certain percentage of foods sold must be actually grown in Pompey.

"Our goal is to bring the connection between consumer and farmer even closer," Palladino said. "The store will give other small farms that only produce one or a few items an outlet to sell their products where they otherwise could not afford to."

Palladino also believes food should be affordable and some stores and retail sites sell healthy local foods at higher prices.

"While this is unavoidable with some premium and organic products, I plan to price as competitively as possible so that all people can enjoy shopping for local products at our farm store and not have to go to a large retailer or buy from unknown sources," he said.
 
Palladino said his goal is to carry as many made in Onondaga County products as possible, as well as some regionally produced products (from other counties and a few items from Pennsylvania) until he can find a local source of those products.

Oswego County Harvest Dinner Set for Oct. 2

The sixth annual Oswego County Harvest Dinner is set for 6:15 p.m. Oct. 2 at The American Foundry.

The dinner has become a popular event in its first five years and those who want to attend should get tickets early because the event usually sells out.

Tickets for the event are $35 for one or $65 for two and must be purchased ahead of time. Prepaid reservations can be made by contacting Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County at 315-963-7286 or e-mailing lkw39@cornell.edu. No tickets will be sold at the door.

The annual event celebrates Oswego County agriculture and all the local food it provides. The dinner features locally grown and sourced food. It begins with a social hour, including a sampling of Oswego County beverages. Guests will be served a six-course meal showcasing delicious Oswego County food prepared by the chefs of The American Foundry. 

Following dinner a guest speaker will entertain the crowd. There will also be raffle baskets featuring Oswego County’s finest agricultural products and more.

Farmers' Market Time is Approaching

It's getting to be Farmers' Market time in New York state.

To find a market near you, go to http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/find-a-market/. Then search by city, county or one of many other categories.

Enjoy and buy some great locally grown fruits, vegetables or meats or locally made goods.

Postal Service To Honor Farmers' Markets

Now this is cool.

The U.S. Postal Service is honoring Farmers' Markets. These will be Forever stamps and will be available in August.

Here is what the USPS says about these upcoming stamps:

Fruits, vegetables, cheeses, flowers, and other fresh products invitingly displayed on tables or bins — farmers markets invite us to share America’s agricultural bounty.

Four stamps depict a table laden with typical farmers-market fare. 

The stamp on the far left has among its products various fresh breads such as baguettes and rolls, cinnamon buns, cookies, artisan cheeses, and both brown and white eggs. 

The produce on the second stamp includes vegetables and fruits: apples, eggplants, watermelons, peppers, grapes, potatoes, broccoli, and gourds. 

Cut flowers adorn the next stamp, with bouquets of bright flowers next to a bucket of sunflowers and a collection of celosia. 

The final stamp on the far right features live plants, with various herbs, tomatoes, and flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums. Most items bear handwritten labels that identify the product and its price.

The artist chose and arranged the products so that each stamp has a large focal point; each stamp is complete in itself yet forms a cohesive whole with the entire stamp strip. The stamp art was created using acrylic paint.