Hobart Farmers Market Plans Season of Success - New Additions Includes Tea

HOBART — The Hobart Farmers Market is planning its biggest season yet. We spoke to Andrew Flach, Judy Stewart Vidal, and Ayhan Dargin. The Market is open Fridays from 4-7.

Stewart Vidal and Dargin put their efforts together to assist the Market and “energize” it. Both have experience in markets in Europe and the Middle East. Stewart Vidal said that such markets are at the “heart of communal life.” She added that markets are often not just a place to pick up food but also to “meet and connect with people you haven’t seen since the last market.”
The social aspect is important, she said. This includes drinking tea, Stewart Vidal said.

When discussing how to differentiate Hobart from other Farmers market in the area, the idea of Turkish tea became a focus.

Every time the Stewart Vidal and Dargin met to plan, they would share tea, helping to spark the idea.

“Whoever comes to Hobart Farmers Market is my guest in terms of tea,” said Dargin.

The group decided to serve warm, complimentary tea. While warm tea during the summer may sound paradoxical, it can help cool a person off during the summer, Stewart Vidal said.

The Farmers Market wrote a grant and received funding from the Hobart Community Foundation and the Thompson Family Trust. The funding allowed the purchase of French-style tables and chairs reminiscent of a bistro.

The particular skills of those involved are on display, including Stewart Vidal raising goals and Dargin creating honey. Since many vegetables are not in season yet, the Farmers Market hoped to bring in non-perishable goods, including dried nuts and fruits. The group purchased the two and customers are “completely delighted.”

Upon further discussion, the group offered seedlings for anyone to “get their market going.”
“Our table is very bountiful,” said Stewart Vidal.

This includes baguettes from the Middle Brook Mill from Jefferson, a “delicious” addition, she said. “They’re even better than the ones I find in the city.”
There’s also Harpersfield Cheese and other products available. Beech Hill Farm provides vegetables and more will come in as the season progresses. There are a number of other vendors and suppliers at the Market. There are also local artisans each week. Azul Restaurant from Oneonta is at the Market each week, offering a variety of delicious Mexican dishes.

The Market offers a variety of music, including French and Turkish.

The mix promises to bring a significant audience from around the area. The number of vendors has come back to the same level as it was before the pandemic, said Stewart Vidal. Vendors bring customers and customers bring vendors, and the work to get a large number of both has been taken on by the volunteers.

Dargin said that the area’s nature is “perfect,” especially for beekeeping. He said that he really appreciates Hobart and his farm.

Flach said that the effort has grown significantly for more than a decade, and is currently one of the longest-running Farmers Markets in the Northwest Catskills.

The group has worked on getting the word out, including numerous signs dotting the area. Local graphic designer MacKenzie Heath of Catskill Zen has been assisting in creating new fliers, posters, and upgrading the local website. They were printed by Hobart resident Kelly Chien, they said.

“She brought a freshness to the look and feel of the Market’s branding materials,” said Flach.

Dargin said that there is a challenge trying to bring in the population of Delaware County and the surrounding area, including targeting visitors. This includes the increased use of social media, including Facebook. 

It’s not just a place to shop, said Dargin, but a place to meet. There is a special focus on comfort and the social aspect, he said. “It’s not only for shopping, but a gathering place, a social place,” he said. Dargin said that he loves seeing people running into each other and connecting.

“Even if you don’t need shopping,” he said, come by and see new and old friends.

Stewart Vidal said that the location on Maple Avenue is very pleasant along the creek.

There is also a 4'x8’ sign on Route 10 pointing people to the Market. Signs from Above designed and installed it, said Flach.

“Local, local, local,” said Flach. He also credited Stewart Vidal, Dargin, and members of the community.

“For those people who live in Hobart village proper” or work in the area, “we’ve always had consistent and loyal customers,” said Flach. This has “really made the market what it is,” he excellent.

There is no charge for vendors, the organizers said. New farmers and those interested to come and take part. 

“Hobart is a perfect place to do a lot locally,” said Dargin.

Anyone interested in the project can email hobartfarmersmarket@yahoo.com or reach out on their Facebook page.

“We have a very simple philosophy,” said Flach, “show up, set up, and sell.”