Spring is turning into summer at last, and with the warmer weather comes the Pine Bush Farmers' Market. If you haven't been before, you'll find it behind the Cultural Center, beginning June 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Now in its seventh year of operations, the Farmer's Market is looking forward to a great season this year.

Jacqueline Carter, the Market Manager, explains: "We have nine full time vendors this year, plus another two that will come in on certain special days. We feel that the popularity of the market is a sign that people are trying to get fresher produce, and also looking to buy groceries outside of the supermarket channel."

This year there'll be organic vegetables from Walnut Grove — with everything from tomatoes to kohlrabi — as the season progresses. Walnut Grove Farm is in Montgomery, about ten miles from Pine Bush.

There'll also be organics from Gaia's Breath Farm, a 265-acre operation north of the Catskills.

Burd's Farm, from Kerhonkson, will also be there with vegetables, plus bedding plants, vegetable plants, and hanging baskets. Royal Acres Farm and Missy's Greenhouses will round out the vegetable offerings.

For fruits, there'll be Trapani Farms, who will have everything from peaches to blackberries and melons as the season progresses.

For cheeses, be sure to check out Acorn Hill's stand, as they will have certified soft goat's milk cheeses, goat's milk fudge, plus cow's milk cheeses and raw honey. Meats will be available through both Walnut Grove — their signature Belted Galloway beef, which is lean and as healthy as fish in terms of Omega oils — and Gaia's Breath Farm, who offers pasture raised poultry as well as registered Iceland Lamb, Black Angus Beef, and registered heritage breed pork. All meat is raised organically on open pastures.

In addition to all this, Culinary Creations, from their café just around the corner, will be selling muffins, cookies, and other baked items, while Green's Justbaked will have their gluten-free baked goods, including chocolate zucchini and banana nut muffins, as well as gluten-free pies. They will also have organic pies and muffins.

"We're thinking that, these days, people are trying to buy food closer to home," says Jacqueline Carter, "and some people are also looking to buy as local as possible. We want the market eventually to provide one stop shopping for people. Right now you can get everything for a meal, pretty much. And when it comes to freshness, there's no contest, when you think how long it takes supermarket vegetables to reach you. That's why we stay within a certain radius around us for our vendors, so things have to be fresh.

"So, if people want to shop local, and this is right here, right in Pine Bush, then we will have everything they need. More than that though, it's social. It's really not like going to the grocery store. You see the same people usually, and it's a whole social scene."

Carter is clearly looking forward to the upcoming season.

"A couple of the vendors that we're excited about are Gaia's Breath, which is in the process of getting certified organic. They will offer vegetables and pasture raised meats and poultry. And also, Greens Justbaked, they're new and they specialize in gluten-free baked goods, so that will be a strong plus for people who need to avoid gluten. And that's a market sector that seems to be growing these days, too. Finally, I should mention Royal Acres Farm; they'll be bringing wonderful herbs and they have really great garlic too. Plus all the seasonal vegetables…with all these different farms, it ensures that we'll have a really great selection of vegetables and salad greens. If one vendor is out of something, another one will have it."

Beyond gustatory pleasures, the Farmers' Market will also host a local artist every week. The artists will display everything from paintings and pottery to quilts, wood-crafts and baskets. And, of course, on most Saturdays, there will also be local singers and musicians performing to round out the most positive shopping experience possible.

One last question: bring your own bags? "Yes, sure, that's a given. And that's something that I'm checking into," says Carter. "We want to see if we can get canvas reusable bags that we can sell. We definitely want to encourage people to give up plastic bags.

"We're also looking for volunteers to help around the market, to man the phone, and help out with all the things that come up." If interested in helping the market, call 845-978-0273 or 845-744-6763.

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