Food Vendors and Farmers Markets Scheduled at the Empire State Plaza and Harriman Campus

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced the lineup for the Lunchtime at the Plaza Concert Series Presented by M&T Bank. Held in conjunction with the Empire State Plaza outdoor farmers market and food vendor programs, the free outdoor concert series provides live music from noon to 1:30 p.m. on 10 Wednesdays between June 7 and August 16.

“The lunchtime concert series provides an excellent opportunity for state employees and the public to come to the Empire State Plaza and enjoy being out in warmer temperatures and summer sun while listening to live performances and eating a healthy lunch from one of the Plaza food vendors or shopping at the weekly farmers market. Thanks to M&T Bank’s generous sponsorship, we can offer the community another great reason to visit the Empire State Plaza this summer,” Commissioner Moy said. “We also want to encourage everyone at the Harriman Campus to visit the food vendors, farmers markets, and monthly craft shows happening there.”

“When live music and local food bring people together, it becomes an opportunity to connect our community further,” said Charles Pinckney, M&T Bank Regional President for the Capital Region. “Our team at M&T is excited to again present the Lunchtime at the Plaza Concert Series, where downtown workers and neighbors can convene and celebrate summer while supporting area musicians, small businesses, and farmers. This annual concert series adds to the vibrancy of downtown Albany and helps make The Empire State Plaza an even more welcoming place for our community to gather.”

M&T will host its second annual Veteran Appreciation Day at the Empire State Plaza on July 12 with a live lunchtime performance by the classic rock cover group the Gone Gray Band.

Concert Schedule

• June 6 -- Acute Inflections
• June 14 -- Maria Z with Brian Melick, Spanish classical, flamenco, and American fingerstyle
• June 21 – Make Music Day celebration featuring Heard, world music
• June 28 – To be announced
• July 5 – No concert the week of July 4
• July 12 – Veteran Appreciation Day featuring the Gone Gray Band, classic rock
• July 19 – To be announced
• July 26 – Carmen and Life’s Guilty Pleasures, jazz
• August 2 -- The Age, R&B / soul
• August 9 – The Dominant 5, brass ensemble
• August 16 – Legacy, R&B

Empire State Plaza and Harriman Campus Lunchtime Food Vendors

The outdoor lunchtime food vendor program runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, on the Plaza near The Egg. At the Harriman Campus, participating vendors serve breakfast and lunch in the Building 8A courtyard by buildings 4, 5, and 8 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. The vendors at both sites offer a diverse range of prepared foods to satisfy a variety of palates.

The vendors set their own weekly schedules, so check with your favorite ones to find out which days of the week, weather permitting, they will participate.

Food vendors at the Empire State Plaza include:

• La Empanada Llama, empanadas, tamales, and traditional Peruvian fare
• Alima’s Cuisine, West African food and drinks
• SUNY Schenectady, rotating menu, including pizza, hot sandwiches, barbeque, and more
• The Skinny Pancake, sweet and savory crepes, fresh brewed iced tea, and homemade lemonade
• Margarita City Bar & Grill, Mexican food options
• Mi Casa, Spanish homestyle cooking
• Chocolate is Self Care, a wide selection of organic loose-leaf teas

Food vendors at the campus include:

• Vincent’s Catering serves breakfast and lunch: subs, wraps, salads, quesadillas, and breakfast items.
• Dolan’s Dogs serves lunch: hot dogs, burgers, fries, and more.
• The Hungry Traveler serves breakfast and lunch: chicken tenders, burgers, wraps, and breakfast items.
• DC’s Pizza & Catering serves lunch: pizza, subs, and salads.
• Miranda Enterprises serves breakfast and lunch: subs, fish fries, steak sandwiches, and breakfast items.
• The Spud Shack serves breakfast and lunch: gourmet baked potatoes, fries, and breakfast items.
• The Old Daley Inn serves lunch: hot and cold sandwiches, deli wraps, hot entrees, salads, soups, and desserts. 

Empire State Plaza and Harriman Campus Outdoor Farmers Markets

The Empire State Plaza Farmers Market is held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday. The Plaza Farmers Market is part of the New York State Fresh Connect program, which is designed to meet the needs of communities by bringing fresh food to under-served areas, improving nutrition education, and helping create local jobs. The Harriman Campus Farmers Market takes place each Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Building 8a courtyard.

Participating farmers market vendors at the Plaza include:

• Bee Hollow Farm
• Big Sky Farm
• Bulich Creekside Farm
• Eat with Aliens
• Fresh Starts Family Farm
• Maynard Farms & Orchards
• Meredith’s Bread
• New Scotland Spirits
• Quantum 1219 Flower Farm
• Ram’s Valley
• Slyboro Ciderhouse
• The Bread Butler
• Worlding’s Pleasure
• Air Paws Barkery 

Participating farmers market vendors at the Harriman Campus include:

• Cornell’s Farm
• The Bread Butler
• Fresh Starts Family Farm 

Harriman Campus Craft Fairs  

The summer program at the Harriman Campus will also include monthly craft shows, to be held at the Building 8A Courtyard from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following Thursdays:

• June 15
• July 20
• August 24
• September 14 

In the event of inclement weather, the craft shows will take place the following day.

For event updates, go here or visit @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @plazaevents on Twitter, or call (518) 474-4759. Additional information about Summer at the Plaza events, including directions and ground rules, can also be found at www.empirestateplaza.ny.gov.