A favorite in the quest for a permanent site for the Genesee Country Farmers’ Market has emerged, according to the treasurer of Downtown Batavia’s three-days-a-week venture.
Sharon Brent on Sunday said that market officials have been working with City Manager Rachael Tabelski to find a fixed location after having to move to the other side Alva Place to the former JC Penney parking lot this year.
“It looks as though the Angotti Beverage parking lot (south of School Street) is a possibility,” Brent said. “We’ve discussed other sites but for one reason or another, they’re not big enough or just won’t work.”
Brent said Austin Park also was considered but the parking lot isn’t suitable.
The market opened for the season last Friday and will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through Oct. 29.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. The market offers fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and crafts, as well as beer and wine tastings, and food vending trucks.
Brent said 30 vendors are participating on Friday and that she is no longer taking applications for that day.
“We’re sold out on Friday,” she said. “Space is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
Currently, three vendors are signed up for Tuesday, eight from 9-4 p.m. on Thursday, and 11 from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, she said.
Food trucks will be on site from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. on all three days, and picnic tables are available.
NEW MANAGER IS ON BOARD
That’s the mantra of Kathryn Cringoli, (photo at right), a resident of Batavia for the past 18 months, who was hired last month as the market’s new manager.
The Hilton native said she is eager to promote and expand the market to attract as many vendors and customers as possible, noting her passion for all things agriculture and fresh, locally grown products.
Cringoli has extensive education and experience in agriculture as she has a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Sociology from San Diego State University and has worked as a caterer, bed & breakfast operator and at a hydroponic greenhouse in Hilton.
She also worked many years for the Rochester Red Wings at Frontier Field, and currently works part time at Tops Friendly Market in Batavia.
Cringoli said she moved to Batavia because her boyfriend is a student at the University of Buffalo Law School.
She said that 2020 was a very tough year for everyone, especially for farmers.
“A lot of them couldn’t unload their produce to the wholesalers or to the restaurants … so a lot of produce went to waste,” she said.
Cringoli said she hopes to get 4-H members and culinary students at Genesee Valley BOCES to participate at the market this summer, and emphasized that people getting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are eligible to buy fruits and vegetables there.
“I'm delighted for this new opportunity,” she said. “Eat fresh, buy local is what I am striving to instill into this community.”
