OUR MISSION
The mission of the Delmar Farmers Market is to provide a marketplace that introduces local farmers and other 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.
OUR STORY
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, so he began reaching out to local producers interested in offering fresh, sustainably produced food to his community. Paul’s friend Lee Greenstein helped create the market’s first board of directors, inviting neighbors Mike and Heather O’Heaney, who hosted DFM’s monthly board meetings right up until the 2020 pandemic. On a bus ride home from work one day, Paul told two others of his plans and they came along for the ride as well. With commitments from 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, BCMS vice principal Mark Warford, who immediately saw the value of bringing a market to Delmar and joined the board as well. In February 2009 our first board meeting was held, and on June 6 of that year 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 a diverse array of local, sustainably produced food and beverages, music, special events in partnership with many area businesses and community organizations. Come check us out!
