By Mark Reynolds
On June 13, the Walkway Market: A Taste NY Experience debuted their open-air market on the western side of the Walkway, bringing together New York State farmers, producers and artisans.
About 30 vendors offered a wide variety of goods for sale from honey, maple syrup, jerky, pickles, spices, flowers, soaps, pet treats, jewelry, and a host of handcrafted items.
In a press release, Lori Robertson, Executive Director of the Friends of the Walkway Over the Hudson, stated that the, “Walkway Market is an exciting new way for people to experience our park while directly supporting New York’s incredible community of farmers, makers and small businesses. Through our partnership with Taste NY, we’re able to showcase the very best of what our state has to offer in a setting that brings people together.”
Sue Field, of ‘Moon and Star Mudworks,’ specializes in one of a kind, ceramic pottery and decorative wall art using midfire stoneware clay.
Field is now retired and has returned to create pottery, something she has done her entire life.
“I think it’s very important for people to have a mission, a hobby, something that really interests them that they can deep dive into and enjoy themselves.” She can be reached at starmom@optonline.net.
In 2023 Bonnie Brown and Joel Filderman created ‘Happy Hudson Valley Hounds,’ a business making healthy treats for dogs They make all of the treats and choose wholesome ingredients- 100% liver beef without any preservatives.
John & Debra Corey’s Sugar Shack is a family-run sugar bush business, creating NYS maple syrups in a variety of flavors. Their website states that, “Everything we make is rooted in simple ingredients, hard work and a whole lot of love.”
John has acreage in the West Park area where he taps his trees for syrup and processes it through an elaborate tubing and vacuum assist system.
“The best trees are the sugar and black maples. They are the best in what they will give you in a higher sugar content,” he said, noting that the best time to tap the trees is from February through late March.
Dana Dalton is the Catering Sales Manager at the 136 room Inn at Bellefield and the Storyteller Restaurant, located directly across from the Culinary Institute on Route 9 in Hyde Park. The restaurant is open to the public weekdays from 4p.m. until 10p.m. and on weekends until 11p.m.
Their website states that the restaurant offers, “thoughtfully crafted menus that highlight regional influences, fresh preparations and comfort driven dishes, complemented by a curated selection of beverages.”
Dalton said they also bring in many products from local distilleries and wineries to the restaurant. In addition, the Inn hosts weddings and has space for business meetings, if requested.
Christine Dalia runs a women-owned local business with her daughters called Buon Pomodoro [good tomatoes] and can trace the recipe back 3 generations.
“We make spicy and original marinara sauce. What makes it special it that it has no added sugar, is low sodium, vegan and is gluten-free. The original sauce includes barlett tomatoes, basil, olive oil and kosher salt,” she said.
Jennifer Muck started Hudson Valley Seed Company in Accord in 2008.
“We grow and produce open pollinated organic seeds that we first grow in trial beds to make sure they can grow in the northeast,” she said.
Open-pollinated refers to varieties that are pollinated by natural means by wind, insects and birds.
William and Gabrielle Minard, of Apple Blossom Farms, brought a variety of their fruit to the market saying they can ship fruit ‘right to your doorstep.’ They recently introduced ‘NY minis’ that contains three premium smaller apples packaged in a green, grab-and-go style box with the phrase, “Small Apples, Big Purpose” printed on one wide of the package. They can be found at appleblossomfarmsny.com.
Sandra Penfield, of ‘Soaps & Aromatics,’ makes all of her soaps, lotions, spritzers, candles and the foot spa sets. She estimates that from May through September she attends 2 events per week and one in November and December that coincide with the holidays.