The Brighton Farmers’ Market is sponsored by the Town of Brighton, and is a weekly, producer-only market. The market was founded in 2008 as part of the Town’s Color Brighton Green initiative, which was established to promote environmental sustainability among Brighton residents and businesses.
The Brighton Farmers’ Market was formed to bring the pleasures of eating local food to the residents of Brighton and nearby communities. By connecting consumers to the farmers who grow food in an environmentally sound manner, the market can enhance the well-being of the consumers, the farmers, and the greater community. Buying delicious vegetables, fruit, and meat directly from local farmers allows us to reconnect with the source of our food and participate more fully in a sustainable food system. The market also offers plants, eggs, flowers, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, pasta, mixes, and herbal products. Visiting the market gives us a chance to meet friends and neighbors, listen to live music, and enjoy a cup of coffee on a summer morning.
Local Food
All of our farmers are local to this region; most live and farm no more than 40-50 miles from Brighton. Why is locally-grown food better?
- The fruits and vegetables were probably picked within hours of their arrival at the market. That freshness guarantees delicious flavor and nutrition at its peak.
- Buying local food supports local farmers and their livelihood, preserves farmland, and benefits the local economy.
- Fewer fossil fuels are burned transporting food such short distances. We reduce our carbon footprint and improve the health of our planet while we improve the health of our bodies.
- Eating with the seasons allows us to get in touch with the cycles of the year and the rhythm of nature in upstate New York.
Sustainable Food
The market aims to support farmers who use sustainable growing methods and to encourage farmers to move toward greater sustainability. Some of our farmers are certified organic, which means they submit to a rigorous, government-regulated certification process. Others have chosen not to be certified, but nevertheless raise their crops following the same methods, using no synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Other farmers attempt to minimize the use of chemicals on their crops. Animals for meat are pasture-raised and treated humanely, without confinement or the use of antibiotics or hormones. Growing food in a sustainable way means taking steps to ensure the long-term health of the soil, air, and water, as well as of the farmers and the consumers. Everyone benefits in a sustainable food system, especially when consumers are active participants in supporting the system.