U.S. Census Bureau representatives will be attending the Genesee Country Farmer's Market in Batavia on Thursdays and Fridays this month, starting today.

The outdoor public market is at Alva Place and Bank Street in the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District.

The census reps will be there Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. and on Fridays from noon to 5 p.m.

The aim is to help attendees complete their online census surveys. Outreach efforts like this have been given a new deadline, the end of September, a full month short of the normal census taking timetable.

They plan to schedule their attendance in September, too, but the days and times are not yet determined.

The 2020 Census can be completed by online, by phone, or mail with a U.S. Census form. For FAQs, click here. The local agency spearheading the census here is the Genesee County Planning Department, phone is (585) 815-7901. To reach department Director Felipe Oltramari, email at:   Felipe.Oltramari@co.genesee.ny.us

A complete census is taken every 10 years and is vital for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is determining government funding levels for the next decade.

The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market @ The Downtown Batavia Public Market opened for the season June 5th and the season ends Friday, Oct. 30th.

Regular market hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.

In light of the current COVID-19 concerns, the Market has implemented enhanced public health guidelines to ensure the safety of Market customers and vendors. Social distancing is encouraged and the vendor stalls will be spaced accordingly. All customers and visitors of the market over the age of 2 years old must be wearing a mask to enter. 

The market participates in the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), DUFB (Double-Up Food Bucks), NYS FreshConnect, WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) and Senior Farmer's Market Check programs.

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Genesee County Department of Planning
3837 W. Main Street Road
Batavia

At our last meeting there was a discussion about a number of individuals receiving postcards for the 2020 Census, with some saying it seemed to be a pre-census survey.

Susan Perry from our regional Census office states there is NOT A POSTCARD relating to the 2020 Census currently being mailed.

Additionally, It also seems to be unrelated to the American Community Survey (ACS), which occurs each year, as those recipients would be receiving a lengthy form, not a postcard.

However, LOCAL CANVASSING IS CURRENTLY OCCURRING to confirm addresses but those are done in person, and individuals conducting the survey should have appropriate identification.

Perry is not aware of the canvassers leaving any postcards when residents are not at home. Perry said she believes they instead return in person at a later period to conduct those surveys.

The initial correspondence for the 2020 Census will be a LETTER that will be mailed out in March. This letter will have the website and phone number which you may use to fill out the form, as well as a secure 12 digit code to verify your identity.

When asked what the letter and subsequent postcards will look like, the Census Office is not sure if they have a public image of it to be released beforehand as that may actually encourage more fraudulent materials being sent out.  

If you or your representative receives one of these POSTCARDS, send it to:

Derik A. Kane, Senior Planner, CNUa

Genesee County Department of Planning
3837 W. Main Street Road
Batavia, NY 14020-9404