Recently, the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Chenango County and its subsidiary group Chenango County Agriculture Development Council (ADC) met with Commerce Chenango to discuss the future plans of reestablishing a farmers' market in Norwich. The Norwich farmers' market will be held from May through September and a winter market is in the works for January 2025. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — Recently, the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Chenango County and its subsidiary group Chenango County Agriculture Development Council (ADC) met with Commerce Chenango to discuss the future plans of reestablishing a farmers' market in Norwich.

The meeting began with about 30 participants joining over lunch to explore the possibilities of forming the farmers' market, both for winter and summer.

“First of all, the initiative started because several farmers' markets are in Chenango County, yet not in Norwich,” said Commerce Chenango Executive Director and CEO Salvatore Testani.

Testani said over time, the largest reason the Norwich farmers' market didn’t continue was due to less farmers and not enough people visiting the market, making it unsustainable.

“So we want to replicate the large number of people that show up for Saturdays in the Park with Chobani - and run the market on Thursday afternoons in West Park,” he said. “Providing farmers great access to many visitors and bringing those visitors to the downtown area.”

“It’s a natural win for everyone” said Testani.

He explained the upcoming spring farmers' market in Norwich is slated for June 2025 and said it will be filled with produce, baked goods and crafts. He added, it’s not a pure farmers' market but a market where people can shop for more than produce.