Public Market, Rochester
Rochester Public Market
Summer and Fall are the prime seasons for many area farmers’ markets. These markets provide shoppers with easy access to fresh seasonal produce, delicious baked goods, locally made craft items and more. However, to those accustomed to simply grabbing their tomatoes and potatoes from supermarket shelves, the idea of wandering through food-filled stalls while interacting with complete strangers can be intimidating. Fear not – whether you’re preparing for your first trip to a local market or heading further afield, these tips will help ensure a successful visit!
Time your trip.
Farmers’ market offerings typically change as the season progresses. In other words, unlike at the supermarket, you should not expect to see asparagus and strawberries from May through October. If you are interested in a particular fruit or vegetable, do a little research to find out when it will be available and plan accordingly.
The best time of day to visit the farmers’ market depends on your personal situation. If you are a nervous first-timer heading to a small neighborhood market, you may be best served by showing up an hour or so after the market opens. By then, there will probably be enough other shoppers to allow you to “blend in” while still taking advantage of cool temperatures and well-stocked booths. In contrast, a large, popular market will likely be bustling regardless of the time, so consider arriving at the very beginning of the day to avoid long lines. Of course, if you are visiting a market that features prepared foods, you may wish to schedule your trip to coincide with breakfast or lunchtime!
Gather intel.
It’s certainly possible to enjoy visiting a farmers’ market without any advance knowledge of its offerings. However, you can save time and confusion by having at least a general idea of the venue’s set-up, the parking situation, and what type of wares will be offered for sale.
Many farmers’ markets offer websites or Facebook pages that will help you prepare for your visit. If you can’t find the information you seek online, try asking friends and coworkers who have been to the market which specific vendors or products they recommend.
Pack the right gear.
It’s nice, but not necessary, to have a sturdy market basket to tote your purchases. A reusable grocery bag or backpack will also do the job. If you live more than a short distance from the market, bring a cooler filled with ice to help you safely transport items that should be kept cold. You may also want to pack a bucket or sturdy vase in case you come across a bouquet of flowers you can’t live without. Finally, cash remains the currency of choice for many vendors, so be sure to stop by your bank and pick up some small bills.
Ask questions.
In day-to-day life, sales pitches often seem to come with a catch, so you may initially feel wary of friendly vendors. Try to turn off this way of thinking at the farmers’ market, where chatting with sellers while considering whether to purchase their wares is de rigueur. The folks staffing the booths are often the very same ones responsible for growing or preparing the food being sold, so feel free to ask them any questions you may have about food safety, ingredients or other concerns. They may even be able to provide interesting recipe ideas or serving suggestions for their products.
Maximize your return on your investment.
Once you get your precious haul home, don’t let it go to waste! Promptly pick up any additional ingredients necessary to prepare meals using the produce, meats and cheeses you bought at the market. If you find yourself stumped about what to do with your purchases, consider preparing delicious fajitas, shish kabobs, salads or a stir-fry to use up a lot of perishables quickly. Then, fill a vase with your farmers’ market flowers, pour yourself a glass of farmers’ market apple cider and enjoy your fresh, seasonal meal!
Michelle Shirk is an attorney, freelance writer and proud mother of one. She writes about family, travel and seasonal events for parenting publications across the United States.
Where to go
BRIGHTON FARMERS'MARKET
WHEN: Sundays, 9am-1pm, through October 26 / WHERE: Brighton High School Parking Lot, 1150 Winton Rd. / FOR MORE INFO: 269-8918,
www.brightonfarmersmarket.org
CANANDAIGUA FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Saturdays, 8:30am-12:30pm, through October 25 / WHERE: Parking lot between Lafayette Ave. & Mill St. (East side of S. Main St.) / FOR MORE INFO: canandaiguafarmersmarket.com
CHILI FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Saturdays, 8am–1pm, through October 25 / WHERE: Chili Paul Plaza, 3240 Chili Ave. / FOR MORE INFO: 889-4680
FAIRPORT FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Saturdays, 7am-noon, through November 22 / WHERE: 58 S. Main St. (behind the Bank of America) / FOR MORE INFO: 223-0313, village.fairport.ny.us
FOODLINK FARMERS'
MARKET
WHEN: Wednesdays 11am-2pm, through September 3 / WHERE: St. Mary’s Place, Between Woodbury St. & Court St. Cash, debit and EBT are all accepted. / FOR MORE INFO: 328-3880 x113, foodlinkny.org
GREECE RIDGE MALL
FARMERS’ MARKET
WHEN: Thursdays & Saturdays, 9am–3pm, through October 25th / WHERE: Ridge & Long Pond Rds., Sears Parking Lot / FOR MORE INFO: 225-1140
IRONDEQUOIT FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Thursdays, 4-8 pm, through October / WHERE: Behind Irondequoit Town Hall, 1280 Titus Ave. at King's Highway / FOR MORE INFO: 336-6070, irondequoit.org
MENDON FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Tuesdays, 4-7pm, through October 14 / WHERE: Mendon Fireman's Field, 101 Mendon Ionia Rd. (Route 64) / FOR MORE INFO: 624-9590,
www.cibi-d.com market.php
MONROE VILLAGE
FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Wednesdays, 4-7pm, through October 15 / WHERE: Blessed Sacrament Church Parking Lot, 730 Monroe Ave. at Oxford Intersection / FOR MORE INFO: www.monroevillagefarmersmarket.org
NORTH CHILI FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Saturdays, 8am–1pm, through October 25 / WHERE: United Methodist Church parking lot, 2200 Westside Dr., Ogden / FOR MORE INFO: 293-0841
PENFIELD FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Sunday 9am–1pm, through December 28 / WHERE: 1801 Fairport Nine Mile Point Rd. / FOR MORE INFO: 377-1982
PITTSFORD FARMERS'
MARKET
WHEN: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 9am-1 pm, through November / WHERE: 3400 Monroe Ave. / FOR MORE INFO: 733-8104
visit townofpittsford.org/stands_markets for a list of other markets and stands in the Pittsford area
RUSH FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Thursdays, 3-6:30pm, through November 6 / WHERE: Rush United Methodist Church, 6200 Lima Rd. / FOR MORE INFO: 533-2170
SCOTTSVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET
WHEN: Wednesdays, 4-7pm, through September 24 / WHERE: Scottsville American Legion #367, 61 Main St. / FOR MORE INFO: 889-3981, www.scottsvilleny.org
VICTOR FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Wednesdays, 3-7pm, through October 29 / WHERE: Victor Village Hall Parking Lot, 60 E. Main St. / FOR MORE INFO: 730-3981, victorldc.org
WEBSTERS JOE OBBIE FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Saturdays 8am-1pm, through November 1 Also, starting June 18, Wednesday 2-6pm / WHERE: Webster Towne Center, Holt Rd. (Kohl's/Target Plaza) / FOR MORE INFO: 315-589-8703, www.villageofwebster.com
ROCHESTER PUBLIC MARKET
WHEN: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6am-1pm, and Saturdays 5am-3pm. 52 weeks a year. Also come additional event days. / WHERE: 280 North Union St., approximately three blocks north of East Main St. / FOR MORE INFO: www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket
SOUTHWEDGE FARMERS' MARKET
WHEN: Thursdays, 4-7pm through October 16 / WHERE: 100 Alexander St. at S. Clinton (Parking Lot at Boulder Coffee)