Photo: Ithaca Farmers Market
For many of us in New York State, the opening of our local farmers market is the real harbinger of spring. With over 800 markets and farm stands statewide, chances are you don’t have to travel very far to find fresh foods and connect with local growers. For this list, we’ve chosen a market from each region of the state that we recommend visiting. While we wait for them to open, it doesn’t hurt to plan ahead and dream of the warm weather to come!
ADIRONDACKS: Keene Farmers Market
Photo: ADK Farmers' Market Cooperative
Located in the heart of the Adirondacks, in the scenic Marcy Airfield in between the villages of Keene and Keene Valley, this has to be one of the most beautifully situated markets in the state. In addition to the usual farm fare, the Keene Farmers Market is also well-known for its variety of handmade crafts, so visitors can stroll the grounds and take home their own piece of the Adirondacks. Open: Sundays 9:30 am - 2 pm, June 17 - October 7. Address: 2253 State Route 73, Keene Valley
CAPITAL REGION: Saratoga Farmers Markets and Spa City Market
Photo: Saratoga Farmers Market
With two great markets to choose from, Saratoga is the crown jewel of Capital Region farm treasures. Both take advantage of using the historic Lincoln Baths building, located in Saratoga Spa State Park. While you’re there, you can explore the vast grounds of the park, swim in one of the pools, or pop in at the nearby National Music of Dance. Open: Saratoga Farmers Market runs Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm, April - November in the Lincoln Baths Building, Wednesdays 3 - 6 pm and Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm, May - October at High Rock Park. The Spa City Market operates Sundays year-round at Lincoln Baths. Summer (May - October) hours are 10 am - 3 pm, closing an hour earlier in the winter. Address: Lincoln Baths building, Saratoga Spa State Park. High Rock Park Pavilions, 105 High Rock Avenue, Saratoga Springs
CATSKILLS: Callicoon Farmers Market
This “producer-only market” is one of the largest in the region, and all vendors either grow or produce their own crop/goods as well as operate within 75 miles, so you know you’re truly shopping local. In addition to produce, you can find wine, hard cider, pasta, condiments, prepared foods, baked goods, ice cream, jam, honey, maple syrup, herbal tea blends, skin care products, pottery, woodwork and much more. Open: Sundays 11 am - 2 pm, year-round. Address: Audley Dorrer Drive, Callicoon Creek Park (May - Early November); 8 Creamery Road, Delaware Youth Center (Mid-November - April)
CENTRAL NEW YORK: CNY Regional Market
A Syracuse institution, the CNY Regional Market has been operating since 1938. By far the largest market in Central New York, it has a sizable amount of infrastructure at its location near Destiny USA mall and the Amtrak station/transportation hub. With a few hundred food vendors from the surrounding counties, the bounty is too much to list. Also of interest: the space is home to a Sunday flea market, held year-round from 7 am - 2 pm, for a different kind of treasure hunt. Open: Saturdays 7 am - 2 pm, year-round; Thursdays 7 am - 2 pm, May - November. Address: 2100 Park Street, Syracuse
HUDSON VALLEY: Rhinebeck Farmers Market
Red Currants. Photo: Rhinebeck Farmers Market
With a focus on “green, local, and healthy,” Rhinebeck's market has become the Sunday gathering place, where neighbors meet and mingle, and visitors sample the best of the Hudson Valley. A diverse and unique selection of farm fresh products including fruits and vegetables, beef, pork, lamb, venison, buffalo, fish, chicken, turkey, duck, pheasant, rabbit, eggs from chicken, duck, turkey, and pheasant, goat, cow, and sheep's milk cheeses, dairy, honey, juices, jams, flowers, and plants, smoked products, and much more. Open: Sundays outdoors 10 am - 2 pm, May 13 - November 18 in the Municipal Parking Lot. Winter Market 10 am - 2 pm, April 8 and 22 at the Rhinebeck Town Hall. Address: Municipal Parking Lot: 61 East Market Street, Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck Town Hall: 80 East Market Street, Rhinebeck.
FINGER LAKES: Ithaca Farmers Market
We all know Ithaca is “gorge-ous”, but it’s also known for its wealth of small farms. Touted as “cultivating earth and community since 1973,” the Ithaca Market has grown into offering an impressive five weekly markets during growing season at three different locations, for easy access and no excuses not to go! With over 160 participating vendors all within 30 miles of Ithaca, be sure and come hungry, as one of the big draws are the delicious prepared foods. Open: Saturdays, Sundays, and Thursday evenings at the Steamboat Landing Park pavilion and two satellite markets at Dewitt Park on Tuesdays and East Hill Plaza on Wednesday evenings. Winter market (January - March) being held Saturdays at The Space at Greenstar. Dates and times vary by season, click here to view. Address: Steamboat Landing Park: 545 Third Street, Dewitt Park: North Cayuga Street and East Buffalo Street, East Hill Plaza: 380 Pine Tree Road, Winter Market: 700 West Buffalo Street.
LONG ISLAND: Seaford Farmers Market
While farmers markets don’t immediately come to mind when thinking about Long Island, the scene is growing, with an emerging 44 markets in 2017. The Long Island Growers Market operates nine of them, including the one at Seaford. Highlights include pickles, pretzels, whoopee pies, and the Frozen Sin Truck, which serves fresh-made donuts while you wait, along with homemade ice cream and fresh limeade. Open: Saturdays 7 am - 12 pm, June to mid-November. Address: East End of Parking Lot of Seaford Railroad Station, corner of Washington Avenue and Sunrise Highway
NEW YORK CITY: Union Square Greenmarket
Photo: Union Square Greenmarket
This world-famous market began with just a few farmers in 1976 and has grown exponentially into Greenmarket’s flagship location. Placed in one of New York City's great public spaces, the atmosphere at Union Square on a market day is electric, seeing an estimated 60,000 shoppers. Take advantage of the many great events offered through the season, like cooking demos, book signings, and beer and spirits pop-ups tastings. Open: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 8 am - 6 pm year-round. Address: North and West sides of Union Square Park
THOUSAND ISLANDS SEAWAY: Watertown Farm & Craft Market
The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber has been running this downtown Watertown market since 1977. Taking place in the State Office Building Plaza, one of the coolest things about it is you can take a shuttle to its location from various places in the city. There you’ll find a wide variety of farm and craft products, including local fruits and vegetables, flowers and garden plants, baked goods, handmade crafts and jewelry, and local works of art. Open: Wednesdays 6:30 am - 3 pm, May 23 - October 10. Address: State Office Building Plaza, Washington Street, Watertown
WESTERN NEW YORK: Elmwood Village Farmers Market
Photo: Elmwood Village Farmers Market
Recently scoring accolades as one of the best markets in the country, this Buffalo urban market in the Elmwood Village neighborhood has a comfortable, small-town vibe, with live entertainment and local non-profits tabling for their causes. Vendors are carefully curated to ensure a diversity of product choices, including local coffee roasters, bakeries, wine, honey, beer, pickles and of course, fruits and vegetables. Open: Saturdays 8 am - 1 pm, May - November. Address: Bidwell Parkway corner of Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo
--
Farmers Market must haves from our shop:
Leave a comment