The Hudson Valley provides a bounty of farm products for Northeast urban markets. It also is a destination. Residents of the New York City metropolitan areas and other cities have long enjoyed escaping to Hudson Valley farm country.
A growing number of Hudson Valley farmers take advantage of their proximity to large urban centers. Farmers' markets and roadside stands - where farmers sell fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and dairy products directly to customers - have sprouted from Yonkers to Saratoga Springs. Since the first New York City Greenmarkets opened in 1976, Hudson Valley farmers have supplied fresh produce to a growing number of New York City residents.
Many Hudson Valley agricultural entrepreneurs open their farms to the public by offering activities that attract visitors. They host harvest festivals, build crop mazes and offer "you-pick" fruits and vegetables, cross-country skiing, petting zoos, hay rides, farm tours and weekend vacations on the farm.
Some enterprising Hudson Valley farmers add value to their businesses by creating unique products. Apple growers make hard ciders, jams and apple-cider donuts. Vineyard owners craft their own distinctive wines. Some dairy and goat farmers have acquired the facilities needed to convert their milk into premium ice cream, butter and cheese.
Other farmers grow produce for specialty, organic and ethnic markets. Hudson Valley and New York City gourmet eateries now showcase locally grown produce. Chefs interested in bolstering their menus with the freshest possible ingredients go straight to the farmer. A unique multi-county initiative called Hudson Valley Harvest helps farmers connect with restaurants, retailers and customers. A collaboration of farmers, consumers and government agencies, the program has produced a Hudson Valley Harvest logo on stickers and signs to designate participating restaurants and stores.
Community supported agriculture (CSA) is another way consumers receive fresh Hudson Valley produce. At CSA farms, customers pay a set price to be "share holders." In return, they receive a regular supply of fresh, usually organic, produce directly from the farmer, often at a fraction of the store cost. The arrangement guarantees farmers a fixed income.
New relationships are forming between Hudson Valley farmers and their customers. At farmers' markets, vegetable stands, local restaurants and CSAs, consumers are rediscovering freshly picked tomatoes, snow peas and sweet corn. People are reconnecting with the sources of their food. At pick-your-own operations and farm tours, residents and tourists realize the joys of visiting Hudson Valley farms.
When consumers buy directly from farmers, it helps farmers stay in business. However, direct marketing is not the answer for all farms. Farmers who sell wholesale also must be able to survive, by receiving fair and stable prices for their goods. |
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| Many upscale restaurants order fresh produce directly from Hudson Valley farms. |
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