Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market to Host Wellness Weekend this Saturday | Events

The Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market, in partnership with The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo, will host a Wellness Weekend at the market on Saturday, July 14. In addition to the market’s regular weekly vendors selling fresh, seasonal and local products and produce, the wellness event will feature several health-related vendors and fun activities.

Participating in the Wellness Weekend will be the Erie County Department of Health, Emergency Preparedness, Catholic Health Systems, the Public Policy and Education Fund, West Side Rowing Crew, Swing Buffalo, Youth Advantage/Salvation Army and The Wellness Institute. The West Side Rowing Crew will bring along some rowing machines for demonstration purposes, and Swing Buffalo will have music and dance lessons. Participating organizations will provide free health information, handouts and item giveaways.

Additionally, a family Wellness Walk through the Elmwood Village neighborhood will take place at 10 a.m. Participants should gather near The Wellness Institute table at the market.

Providing musical entertainment at the market on Saturday, July 14, will be Azure James from 10 to 11:30 a.m., followed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Birdie Cree. The Lancaster Regional Players will also provide roaming entertainment throughout the day. 

Wine-tasting this week will be courtesy of Niagara Landing Wine Cellars and Freedom Run Winery. The market will also welcome several exciting community groups this Saturday, including Unyts — roll up your sleeve and donate a pint in their air-conditioned collection van — and the Lexington Cooperative Market. Martin Cooks will be cooking up some great breakfast and lunch offerings utilizing market produce and products.

Market vendor First Light Farm & Creamery, an East Bethany farm that produces handmade cheese in small batches, will present cheese-making demonstrations this Saturday during the market, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Be sure to stop by their tent for an education into the art of making cheese!

The Electronic Benefit Transfer system is once again in place at the market for the 2012 season. The EBT system allows individuals receiving public assistance to purchase products from eligible market vendors. EBT patrons who purchase $10 worth of market tokens will receive an additional $2 coupon to be used at the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market. Sponsors of the EBT coupon program include the Lexington Co-operative Market and the Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition. The coupon initiative will continue until funds earmarked for the program have been exhausted.

The market is also partnering with the Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition to promote a smoke-free environment at the market this season. For a complete list of market vendors and events, please visit the market’s website at www.elmwoodmarket.org. Frequent updates are also available by following the market on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElmwoodBidwellFarmersMarket.

The Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market: Always fresh, always seasonal, always local!