by Kristina Gabalski
ThinkstockConsumers have a growing number of options for purchasing local, fresh-from-the-farm produce and farm products during the winter months.
Churchville grower Ed Fraser says there are now two winter farmers markets in Monroe County, the Small World Bakery’s farmer’s cooperative at the Rochester Public Market and the Good Food Collective, which is a multi-farm, community-supported agriculture project offering year-round membership programs.
“It’s beginning to snowball a little bit,” Fraser says of the collective, which began with 100 shares and will grow to 1200 shares for this coming summer’s market.
Fraser is well acquainted with winter farmers markets. He helped to start the Highland Park winter market which recently closed, he says, because of the new markets now available locally. “It met its purpose by increasing awareness of what farmers in Western New York can grow throughout the winter,” Fraser says.
He currently takes produce to the Small World Bakery’s farmers cooperative stand at the Rochester Public Market on Saturdays. “It sells right out,” he notes. “There’s plenty of market out there.”
Like an increasing number of local growers, Fraser uses high tunnels to extend his season, growing cold hardy crops through the winter. He also is well-stocked with vegetables that store well like winter squash, cabbages, rutabagas, carrots, turnips and celeriac.
“I have leeks, onions and shallots,” he says, “and garlic, that’s my speciality.”
The East Side Winter Farmers Market is held Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through April 27 and is located at 2555 Baird Road in Penfield, at the rear of the Cytec building parking lot.
Market Coordinator Mary Bartolotta says the winter market, “Sprang out of a need for local products and local produce during the winter months on the east side of Rochester. When the Mendon and Fairport Market closed at the end of the summer, vendors and consumers had nowhere to go. So, with the large open space and extra room at the Cytec warehouse, it was a perfect match. We started the market in the fall to test the waters. A select few vendors came from both the Mendon and Fairport Markets. There was a great response by local customers.”
Bartolotta says vendors include organic farmers and most employ special practices.
“We have grass-fed beef from Rick Austin. Jeff Makusij sells organically raised chicken and green lettuces from the most beautiful soil on earth. We have potatoes and root vegetables from the Sunscape, Papineau, Campbell and Walstead farms,” she says.
In addition to produce, Walnut Sunrise carries raw honey and organic garlic from their farm in Mendon, Bartolotta says.
Thinkstock“The Wohlschlegel farm brings maple syrup and other maple products ranging from maple cream spread to hot maple mustard. Our dairy farmer at Vanillen Dairy carries creamy cheeses and cheesecakes. Tripleberry Farms brings their pesticide-free jams and tripleberry brownies and in season will have fresh berries,” Bartolotta says.
Also available are prints, candles, soap, jewelry and other crafts from The Rochester Artisans.
“Our customer base in the surrounding area is getting excited about the market,” she says. “This is such a needed, fun, warm way to bring our community together.”
Customers enter the market through the Mooseberry Café. “Within the Cytec warehouse, Mooseberry Café and Soap Company is housed,” Bartolotta says. Concerts and other events are also lined up, she says. “Peter Blum from Woodstock, New York, will be giving a concert, Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the market space area. Tickets are $20. Benefit concerts and open mike nights will follow in March,” Bartolotta adds.
For information about the market or events call 585-348-9022 or email Mary at mbartolotta001@rochester.rr.com.
The Long Season Winter Farmers Market is held Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Brookside Center, 220 Idlewood Road in Brighton. It is easy to access the market from South Winton between Westfall and 590.
Market Manager Sue Gardner Smith says more and more customers are willing to support a winter market.
“Support from the community is strong,” she says. “Farmers work to make their products available longer. It’s a wonderful thing – support is strong for the local food system.”
The wintertime market also helps support local farmers, she explains, because this can be a challenging time of year financially for them.
Gardner Smith notes some root crops become sweeter after the ground freezes and growers utilize high tunnel/hoop houses allowing them to grow cold hardy crops including greens in the winter as well as start the next growing season earlier.
“They will have plenty (of produce) throughout the winter,” she says.
One grower has a hydroponic operation for growing fresh greens, lettuces, watercress and Asian greens, Gardner Smith says.
Additional produce featured at the market includes carrots, green kale, leeks, turnips, cabbage, winter squash, beets, beet greens, braising greens, fennel, celeriac and eggs.
The Long Season Market has baked goods, cheese products, maple syrup and spreads, local honey, pasta that is locally made and “nice herbal products,” Gardner Smith says.
People come from as far as 30 miles away to shop the market, she adds.
The Long Season Winter Farmers Market is a collaboration of the Brighton and South Wedge Farmers Markets and is sponsored by the Town of Brighton.
