Those living in Tioga County will soon have more healthy food options. The Newark Valley Farmers Market opens up for the first time next Sunday. Our Elyse Mickalonis tells us how one local farmer got motivated to provide fresh food for an area that truly needs it.

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NEWARK VALLEY, N.Y. -- Eric Krenner is no stranger to farmers markets.

"My wife and I have been doing farmers markets for 5 or 6 years now.
We’ve been in Binghamton, Vestal, Endicott, but there’s never been anything here locally,” said Eric Krenner, Newark Valley Farmers Market Manager.

He and his wife say buying home-grown food can help the local economy.

"There’s one grocery store. Not a lot of people know there a lot of farms in our community they could support instead of driving to Ithaca or Binghamton to go to a farmers market,” said Krenner, Newark Valley Farmers Market Co-Manager.

The market they plan to open next weekend will have about 8 venders selling everything from fresh produce to fruit butter. They've received a Fresh Connects grant from the state to help local food banks, by donating fresh produce... and also partnered with Northern Tioga Neighbors Network and part of the grant will go toward gas money for that.

"They have volunteers that take inbound, elderly or disabled people generally to hospitals or doctor’s appointments, thing like that, and they’re partnered with us to bring them to the farmers market,” said Jessica Krenner.

Some not-for-profits will also come and fundraise from time-to-time. But the Krenners want to make sure everyone can afford their products…they accept food stamps, credit cards and more.

"The WIC program, the farmers market and nutrition. A lot of the people receive the checks in the area and refuse them because they have nowhere to go for the produce. So that’s one thing we’re doing for the market so people can use those things,” said Krenner.

Organizers say they’re excited to bring fresh food the community and bring the community together.

“It’s about community, people coming together to have a good time, and quality food when you get it home and cook it,” said Gary Poyneer, Farmers Market Vender.

Krenner added, "It’s great to be able to give back to the community and everybody. The produce we have makes a difference."

Making a difference right at home.