Market on Market, Ellenville’s lauded farmers market will be returning this summer, with new dates and a new location. At the Board of Trustees Meeting on Monday, Victoria Messner of Morning Sunshine, announced the plans for the market.

The market will move to the “lawn” outside Morning Sunshine, at the other end of Center Street from the original location at Market Street and Center Street. The market will now be on Wednesday afternoons, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., beginning June 5 and running weekly until November 13. Note, however that Morning Sunshine itself will be closed at those times. Morning Sunshine is open Thursday through Sundays only.

Josh Cohen, the new market manager, explained the thinking behind the change in weekday and time. “It was hard to find produce vendors who could work in Ellenville on Fridays and Saturdays. They are booked at markets in New Paltz, Kingston and Beacon. When I spoke to one of the farmers he floated the idea of a mid-week market. He told me how that would be beneficial to farmers so they aren’t just picking stuff once a week. In that case, lots of produce gets lost. He said, ‘Give me a reason to harvest mid-week.’ So, we took that thought and ran with it.”

Two important vendors therefore have signed up for the full 24 markets. That’s Long Season Farm and Transgenerational Farm.

Victoria Messner said, “Bringing the market to the lawn at Morning Sunshine ends any issues with the village. We won’t be on village property. We will take care of the trash ourselves. There is plenty of parking.”

There will also be music. Jessica Clerk will DJ for 13 markets. Rust Records will do it for ten more. A live band is booked already for August 7.

Messner highlighted to some of the other “fantastic” vendors, such as Oyster Party, who will be at 22 of the markets. Yes, they will have the lobster rolls, the perennial favorite from the previous Market on Markets. Josh Cohen added that “we will have ten to fifteen different vendors, a really robust mix. Fresh produce, fresh flowers, pop up chefs, beverages, mushrooms, it will be really interesting.”

Referring to Aaron Burr Ciders, Cohen said, “This is extraordinary, locally made cider. He finds lost orchards, the final remnants of farms that went out of existence fifty, sixty years ago, but the apple trees are still there and producing. And he makes the highest quality local cider, some of it sells for a $100 a bottle at Manhattan restaurants.”

“And our old friends, Forthright Cider will be coming, too,” added Messner. “They’ve been a huge supporter since day one.”

Cohen said, “By having these quality vendors, I’m sure we will get a strong and positive response from shoppers.”

There will be social media promotion, check Ellenville Market on Market on Instagram and Facebook. Messner said at the Village Board meeting that they were hoping to be able to accept SNAP benefits too. Interested vendors can reach Josh Cohen at joshuagotmail@gmail.com.