Schoharie Fresh, an online farmers' market that hopes to match up local shoppers with local food and produce, is back after a two-week post-Hurricane Irene break.
The market kicked off on August 11 and got in two order cycles, said Penny Heritage, Schoharie County Planning & Development's ag marketing specialist.
But then came Irene.
"We were just getting going, but a number of our farmers were hit by the flood and we put things on hold for a couple of weeks," Ms. Heritage explained.
"But we're back. We know we have their blessing in starting the market up again; they're still going and so are we."
Schoharie Fresh is a collaboration of Planning & Development, Cooperative Extension, and SUNY Cobleskill with help from Central NY Resource Conservation & Development and NY Farms and funding through the state Department of Health's Creating Healthy Places grant.
Shoppers register online at schohariefresh.com and then fill their "shopping" cart with everything from eggs to butter and yogurt, to maple syrup and homegrown beef as well as other local products.
Orders must be placed by midnight Wednesdays.
Pickup is at the Cooperative Extension, Cobleskill from 3:30-5:30pm every Friday, when payment by cash or check is due.
Ms, Heritage said the market is run by the honor system; if you place an order, you're expected to show up to pay for it and pick it up.
In addition to giving shoppers a convenient way to "go local" for their food, Ms. Heritage said the online market makes it easier for farmers because these are "pre-sales" and they don't need to devote an entire day to manning a market.
Like traditional farmers' markets, she said, they hope to begin accepting WIC benefits and food stamps next year once they've built a stronger customer and farmer base.
Ms. Heritage said organizers plan to meet in the next week to map out plans for holiday offerings.
After the holidays, she said, they'll shut the market down till spring.
Schoharie Fresh has a limited supply of insulated totes free while supplies last; shoppers are encouraged to bring reusable shopping bags.
For more information, email: schohariefresh@gmail.com.