Delmar Farmer’s Market

The mission of the Delmar Farmers Market is to provide a marketplace that introduces local farmers and other food producers and food producers to the community and promote sustainable farming, healthy foods, environmental awareness and support of local and fair-trade businesses.  We strive to bring people together to support and benefit from the efforts of these business owners. Our vendors are committed to upholding our mission by providing the freshest, best tasting and healthiest foods, raised carefully on land in and around the community, and modeling good environmental stewardship practices.

The history of the Delmar Farmers Market actually begins in Troy, where founder Paul Tick spent each Saturday for three years promoting renewable energy at one of the first outdoor venues offering locally-grown, farm-fresh food to Capital Region residents.

One day a shopper from Delmar told Paul how great it would be to have a farmers market in their own community.  “Someone’s got to do it,” he told himself, and started to plan. He reached out to local farmers who were supportive, and one agreed on the spot to participate.  Paul’s friend Lee Greenstein helped create the market’s first board of directors, inviting Mike and Heather O’Heaney, who have hosted DFM’s monthly board meetings since its inception.  On a bus ride from work, Paul told two others of his plans and they came along for the ride as well. With farmers and a board in place, all that was left to launch was a good location.  But where?

One day Paul passed the Bethlehem Central Middle School and had an epiphany. He called another friend, Mark Warford, who was the vice principal at BCMS and left the message, “Mark, call back, this is something you will not want to miss!” In February 2009, the first board meeting was held and on June 6, 2009, the Delmar Farmers Market opened to the public with 22 vendors.

Today, our market has tripled in size, serving between 1,500 to 2,000 visitors each Saturday with a diverse array of local, sustainably produced food and beverages, all in partnership with many area businesses and community organizations. Come check us out!