Farmers markets will open this summer to provide the public with not only fresh fruits and vegetables, but other food items that may expand your definition of a farmers market. Whether its lavender, lettuce or lean meat, all markets offer shoppers an alternative to mass-produced food shipped from across - or outside - the country.
Angela Kershner / The Citizen
Farmers markets will be opening in Auburn and around the region soon.
Farmers markets will be opening in Auburn and around the region soon.
“It looks like the longer the food is in transit, the more dangerous it becomes,” said Christine Gutelius, Nutrition Resource Educator with the Cornell Cooperative Extension. “We tend to agree that local produce should be safer than something shipped a long distance.”
The Auburn Farmers Market begins Tuesday, June 5 along Genesee Street next to Wegmans. This year's incarnation will include several specialty items, such as honey from Moravia, sharp cheeses from Camillus, buffalo meat from Sempronius and herbs from Aurora.
Mennonite bakers will also provide the market with fresh breads, cookies and whoopie pies (chocolate cookie sandwiches).
“It's in the center of town with a little variety of everything,” said market manager Millie Bednarski.
The Auburn market has been held for more than 50 years, 35 of which have seen it situated in its present spot. Its recent shift from one to three days points to the market's growing popularity. Senior citizens crowd that stretch of Genesee Street on the weekdays, while Saturdays see younger produce buyers on the sidewalk.
“Or anyone that wants to have a fresh picnic that day, to stock up on corn and lettuce and all that,” Bednarski said.
Bednarski's family farm in Cato provides another savory staple of summer picnics: watermelons.
Depending on weather and supplies, the market will feature a Strawberry Jamboree sometime in mid-June to celebrate the fruit with strawberry plants, jams and free samples of shortcake. This year's market will also mark the first time that vendors can accept EBT and food stamp coupons as a form of purchase.
Gutelius advises patrons of the markets in Auburn and elsewhere in the county to ask farmers about their produce. Growers are eager to share information about their fruits and vegetables, such as what apples are ideal for eating raw and which types are best for baking.
“It's the back-and-forth that's very helpful, there's not always someone there in the grocery store,” Gutelius said.
Shoppers in Moravia will have the opportunity to talk closely with many farmers at that village's 11th market, which will pack its vendors into the parking lot of Kinney Drugs.
Market manager Kathleen Fick feels Moravia features a tight-knit community of farmers and food producers that other town markets cannot match.
“They're all supposed to be local, but other markets are letting people in from 30 to 50 miles away,” she said. “Our whole base is within 10 miles of the village.”
Coming to the Moravia market from that small sphere will be farmers with buffalo meat and honey, as well as wineries, bakers, and fruit and vegetable growers.
“They take up the whole parking lot and wrap around the green out front,” Fick said.
The vendors could be joined by a revolving door of local clubs and groups as part of a “community corner” that is still in the planning stages. Fick hopes the feature will come together in time to be present at the market as a showcase of sorts for Moravia.
Community also comes first for the village of Port Byron, which will open its farmers market on Wednesday, June 20 for its third year of operation. Revitalization Committee member Chris Hayes feels her village's market fills a niche by holding nightly hours of 4 to 7 p.m.
“We've had some farmers say that it's a relief not to spend a whole day doing a market,” Hayes said.
Still in its infancy, the market's organizers are reaching out to local resources that could help spur its growth.
Hayes would like to add a coffee night courtesy of Burritt's Cafe in Weedsport, as well as wine tasting and baked goods from local wineries and bakeries, respectively. Chicken barbecues and live music have already been hosted at the market to provide the people of Port Byron with their own hometown treasure.
“We try to keep things accessible to people here, considering we don't have a big Wegmans in Port Byron it makes for something special for people in town,” she said.
Gutelius feels the Port Byron market organizer's efforts to reach out to their community captures the spirit of all farmers markets.
“People see their friends and neighbors and get to know the farmers over the season, so it promotes a feeling of community,” she said.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: Auburn Farmers Market
When: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, June 5 through Oct. 30
Where: Genesee Street between South Street and Loop Road
For details: Call 678-1622
What: Port Byron Farmers MarketWhen: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, June 27 through Oct. 3
Where: Schasel Park, Utica Street
For details: Call 776-4321
What: Moravia Farmers Market
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays, June 7 through Oct. 25
Where: Kinney Drugs parking lot, 130 Main St.
For details: Call 497-8375
The Auburn Farmers Market begins Tuesday, June 5 along Genesee Street next to Wegmans. This year's incarnation will include several specialty items, such as honey from Moravia, sharp cheeses from Camillus, buffalo meat from Sempronius and herbs from Aurora.
Mennonite bakers will also provide the market with fresh breads, cookies and whoopie pies (chocolate cookie sandwiches).
“It's in the center of town with a little variety of everything,” said market manager Millie Bednarski.
The Auburn market has been held for more than 50 years, 35 of which have seen it situated in its present spot. Its recent shift from one to three days points to the market's growing popularity. Senior citizens crowd that stretch of Genesee Street on the weekdays, while Saturdays see younger produce buyers on the sidewalk.
“Or anyone that wants to have a fresh picnic that day, to stock up on corn and lettuce and all that,” Bednarski said.
Bednarski's family farm in Cato provides another savory staple of summer picnics: watermelons.
Depending on weather and supplies, the market will feature a Strawberry Jamboree sometime in mid-June to celebrate the fruit with strawberry plants, jams and free samples of shortcake. This year's market will also mark the first time that vendors can accept EBT and food stamp coupons as a form of purchase.
Gutelius advises patrons of the markets in Auburn and elsewhere in the county to ask farmers about their produce. Growers are eager to share information about their fruits and vegetables, such as what apples are ideal for eating raw and which types are best for baking.
“It's the back-and-forth that's very helpful, there's not always someone there in the grocery store,” Gutelius said.
Shoppers in Moravia will have the opportunity to talk closely with many farmers at that village's 11th market, which will pack its vendors into the parking lot of Kinney Drugs.
Market manager Kathleen Fick feels Moravia features a tight-knit community of farmers and food producers that other town markets cannot match.
“They're all supposed to be local, but other markets are letting people in from 30 to 50 miles away,” she said. “Our whole base is within 10 miles of the village.”
Coming to the Moravia market from that small sphere will be farmers with buffalo meat and honey, as well as wineries, bakers, and fruit and vegetable growers.
“They take up the whole parking lot and wrap around the green out front,” Fick said.
The vendors could be joined by a revolving door of local clubs and groups as part of a “community corner” that is still in the planning stages. Fick hopes the feature will come together in time to be present at the market as a showcase of sorts for Moravia.
Community also comes first for the village of Port Byron, which will open its farmers market on Wednesday, June 20 for its third year of operation. Revitalization Committee member Chris Hayes feels her village's market fills a niche by holding nightly hours of 4 to 7 p.m.
“We've had some farmers say that it's a relief not to spend a whole day doing a market,” Hayes said.
Still in its infancy, the market's organizers are reaching out to local resources that could help spur its growth.
Hayes would like to add a coffee night courtesy of Burritt's Cafe in Weedsport, as well as wine tasting and baked goods from local wineries and bakeries, respectively. Chicken barbecues and live music have already been hosted at the market to provide the people of Port Byron with their own hometown treasure.
“We try to keep things accessible to people here, considering we don't have a big Wegmans in Port Byron it makes for something special for people in town,” she said.
Gutelius feels the Port Byron market organizer's efforts to reach out to their community captures the spirit of all farmers markets.
“People see their friends and neighbors and get to know the farmers over the season, so it promotes a feeling of community,” she said.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: Auburn Farmers Market
When: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, June 5 through Oct. 30
Where: Genesee Street between South Street and Loop Road
For details: Call 678-1622
What: Port Byron Farmers MarketWhen: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, June 27 through Oct. 3
Where: Schasel Park, Utica Street
For details: Call 776-4321
What: Moravia Farmers Market
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays, June 7 through Oct. 25
Where: Kinney Drugs parking lot, 130 Main St.
For details: Call 497-8375
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