Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market opens for summer season at Academy Park

A beautiful, warm day welcomed the Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market, as the summer season kicked off Saturday at Academy Park.

“We have around 25 new vendors for the 2024 market season, adding more high-quality local products for our community to enjoy,” Market Manager Rachel Jolbert said.

She explained, “With the growth of the market, I really wanted to add more prepared foods options, so our patrons and community really have a reason to spend their Saturdays at the farmers market this year – making a day of it, and not just a pitstop to grab a few things.

“For the last three years, Wandering Gypsy Brewing Co. has served up everyone's favorite breakfast sandwiches at the market, and this year they will be serving beer and ‘beermosas’ for the first time at the market!

Jennifer Raymond prepares the super-popular Wandering Gypsy Brewing Co. breakfast sandwiches.

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“Our other full-time vendor, Pressing Matter, has been everyone's ‘go-to’ for fresh-pressed juices over the last two market seasons, adding the addition of made-to-order smoothies last summer.”

“We also have the addition of the Belgian-style waffles made to order by my bakery, Three Little Hens Baking Co.”

If you’re stopping by the Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market, be sure to try one of the Three Little Hens Baking Co.’s giant, freshly made waffles – served with a choice of delicious toppings.

Fresh-made pizzas are now available at the market, courtesy of Save Me a Slice.

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“We have added lunch options with new full-time vendor Save Me a Slice. They are a mobile, stone-fired pizza pop-up shop who will be at the market every week serving up fresh, made-to-order Neapolitan-style pizzas.”

Chef Nicholas Rice said. “We use local ingredients from different farmers and different produce peddlers around here. Everything's handmade and from scratch, or it's some of the best quality ingredients that I can get imported in from either Italy or Sicily.”

Save Me a Slice joined the market roster following a successful test-run in the village.

“We actually did our first popup ever in Lewiston, at Battle Flag Tavern,” Rice said. “Ever since then, the people of Lewiston have been very, very generous to us, and kept supporting us to kind of make sure that we always pop out here and spread that love for them, because they've just been great to us since.”

Brittney Knowles of Pressing Matter with her youngest patron.

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Brittney Knowles of Pressing Matter is back for her third year at the market. She said, “I do cold-pressed juices. I make them all fresh the night before. Everything on the label’s blended and cold-pressed in a hydraulic press. And then I started doing smoothies last year – they've been going really good. I'm hoping to add acai bowls to my menu this year and maybe even some salads. So, there's definitely some things in the future.”

Knowles had a steady line of customers on opening day.

“I'm not from Lewiston, and this market – since I've been here – I've made so many friends and just so many connections,” she said. “Everyone in Lewiston has been so welcoming; so, this market has really just become home for me.”

The market has moved to the Cayuga Street side of Academy Park to accommodate the future construction of a pavilion on the Portage Road area.

Other new changes include, “for the first time, the market will be accepting EBT/SNAP benefits this year at all qualified vendors,” Jolbert said. “Using EBT at the market is easy: Bring your EBT card to the information tent, swipe your card, and get market tokens to use at qualified vendors for qualified products – including, but not limited to: baked goods, fresh produce, and ‘pantry products’ such as jams and jellies, maple syrup, honey and granola.

“Another addition this year is our monthly ‘Kids Club’ where, once a month, we will be having a free activity for kids aged 4-12. Our first ‘Kid's Club’ activity will be June 15, where we will have terracotta pots for children to paint, and plant microgreens in.”

Finally, “We have a new part-time vendor who will be coming out on six different days this summer – The Edgy Vedgy – a vegan and vegetarian food truck from Buffalo, who uses local ingredients in as many of their dishes as possible,” Jolbert said. “They make their debut at the Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market at the ‘SummerFest’ on June 29.”

The Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/lewistonartisanmarket.

Joshua Maloni contributed to this report.

Jessica Senek with helpers Penelope and Sarah.

Jess Nyland (with Winry) prepares a Lend a Leaf Tea Co. iced matcha for Jessica Budde of Brewed and Bottled Craft Beer Shop.

 

Around the market