NORWICH – With summer months right around the corner, coordinators for the Chenango County Farmers Market are preparing for a big year with big changes in hopes of making the traditional park fixture more outstanding than ever.

When the Farmers Market first opens in June, plans are to appeal to a broader demographic by incorporating more vendors and local products.

“It’s definitely going to be better this year than last year,” said Ken Walbrecht, president.

One factor making this year so much different, said Walbrecht, is the introduction of a new Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) machine, which will be provided through grant funding thanks to a partnership between the Farmers Market and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County. The EBT machine will allow for lower-income families and individuals who receive assistance to get produce from the Farmers Market, benefitting not only patrons themselves, but also the merchants who are selling their products, Walbrecht said.

With the incorporation of an EBT machine this year, the Farmers Market has also sparked more interest from local vendors, allowing the board of the Farmers Market to reach out to sellers who have never been to the Farmers Market before, explained Charlotte Walbrecht, the group’s marketing coordinator.