08/10/2019
A Washington Park Farmers’ Market Story
- or -
How We Measure Success
During our first summer Farmers’ Market foray at Washington Park, we were warmly greeted and enthusiastically supported each week by Market Director Scott Abraham, an assortment of vendors, and many Albany neighbors and friends.
Many thanks to Scott for his input and advice as we strived to improve operations and increase our visibility among the public. Many thanks also to fellow vendors who pitched in to help us with set up and take down, stood with us in torrential rain, and tasted Syrian specialty foods, while sharing their products with us. We’d like to especially acknowledge the love and care shown us through words and actions by the following vendors:
Nate Darrow of Saratoga Apple (www.saratogaapple.com) whose large gift bag of apples and kind words on our first day at the market demonstrated true neighborliness.
Nate Hill of Corny Nates Kettle Corn () whose weekly supply of deliciously addictive kettle corn was always the perfect afternoon snack.
George Vogt of George’s Market (https://www.georges-market.com/) who provided the ladies with a bushel of the very best local sweet corn.
Arricka, Mark & Zoe Harrison, of Black Kettle Soap Company (www.bksoapco.com) who kindly surprised the ladies with a big and beautiful bright orange tent, which happens to nicely complement the colors in our sign!
Through the Farmers’ Market, we have come to know an ever-expanding number of returning customers and their food preferences. What a delight it was whenever customers returned week after week—or sometimes the same day—for their favorites. In fact, at LarkFest, one customer returned 3 times for kibbeh!
Through the Farmers’ Market, our customers who requested coaching from our chefs and baker left our stand knowing how to pronounce food names such as ma’arouk, or fatayer, or basboussa.
Through the Farmers’ Market, we have accomplished much. The ladies of Syrian Delights have connected with the community, learned basic business skills, and improved English language skills. Syrian Delights was meant to not only enhance family income, but to personally empower these refugee women. And that is how we measure success.
By Janice Coles.