farmers market

Press release:

Farmers Market Coupons are still available at the Genesee County Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia.

Booklets are available to adults aged 60 years and older who are income-eligible. Proof of age identification must be provided.

Income guidelines are as follows:  household of one $1,872 per month; household of two $2,538 per month; and, household of three $3,204 per month.

Maureen Estabrooks, Office for the Aging’s coordinator for the program, noted, “It still remains, that anyone 60 or older in a household may receive a coupon booklet as long as they are income eligible. This means that in a qualifying household, multiple individuals may receive booklets.

"This program is a wonderful way to help older adults with limited income to purchase healthy fresh produce from our local farmers.”

Questions may be directed to the Genesee County Office for the Aging at 585-343-1611.

Summer is the perfect time for fresh produce – juicy fruits and tasty veggies. And what better place to get them than farm-fresh from a local farmer’s market or farm stand? Get to know the names behind your food. Shopping local is good for you, and for your local farmers – it’s a win-win!

Our Farm Markets are colorful, creative and fresh. We’ve rounded up the best in the area – including:

Pully's Farm Market – carrying a huge selection of hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, and vegetable plants. Open from April through October, Pully’s has fresh produce, seasonal treats, and a market full of local items and everyday goods. Visit on the weekend in the fall and you can wind your way through the corn maze or catch their pumpkin-cannon in action!

Le Roy Farmers' Market – fun on a Saturday morning from June to mid-October. Located on Main Street, this farmer’s market is a local favorite with weekly offerings found on their Facebook page. The market also partners with the Genesee County Office for the Aging to offer coupons for seniors. Find baked goods, wines, flowers, cooking demonstrations, weekly entertainment, and organic vegetables.

Downtown Batavia Public Market – open every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from June through October, in collaboration with the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District. The market participates in a number of government assistance programs, ensuring that fresh and healthy foods are available to everyone. Browse their stalls and find growers, bakeries and craft vendors offering a variety of produce, baked goods, cheese, eggs, honey, BBQ, maple syrup, and flowers. More than just the veggies – you can go home with everything from dog treats to quilts, and find new favorites every time you visit.

Smaller than a market, Genesee County is also home to a multitude of farm stands. Shop produce straight off the farm, handcrafted goods, and local treats at these area favorites:

Elba
Torrey's Farm Market – food grown with pride. Load up on potatoes, onions, cabbage, lettuce, seasonal produce, and peaches. You'll even find some crafts!

Star Growers – keep an eye out around harvest time! This little roadside stand offers mid/late seasonal produce: potatoes, cabbage, onions, squash, and pumpkins.

Batavia
Harrington's Produce, Bakery & Market Cafe – it’s a one-stop shop for fresh baked breads, fruits, vegetables and everything in between. And if that wasn’t enough, you can also snag a sandwich at their Clinton Street café – food so fresh it was probably picked that day!

Fenton's Produce LLC – asparagus, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, blueberries, herbs, flowers – and summer and winter squash are home-grown and offered here. Look for Fenton’s around harvest season at their little roadside setup on Pratt Road.

Le Roy
J&W Farm Fresh Produce – consistently fresh, wholesome and flavorful fruit and produce from a small, local family farm.

Mackenzie Brothers – right on Harris Road, this little stand is serving up fresh sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, summer squash, cabbage, melons, and winter squash – everything from acorn to butternut to fiesta to hubbard.

Clear out the cupboard and the fridge, you’re going to need room for all the fresh food that awaits! We don’t “carrot” all which one you choose to try – so pick one or (taste) test them all. And find more great spots to shop, eat, stay and experience at www.visitgeneseeny.com.

It was a bright, beautiful day for the first day of the Batavia's Downtown Public Market at Bank and Alva.

In addition to many returning favorites for the Genesee County Farmer's Market, there were two new vendors at the market today, Market Manager Mike Bakos told WBTA. 

Pickle Annie's offers a variety of pickles as well as flavored cider vinegar, which Bakos said is supposed to be good for joint health.

Also new this year is Bad Ash BBQ (The Batavian's publisher and editor can recommend the pulled pork sandwich with baked beans and coleslaw).

"This is a really good spot for the market because we can attract vendors all season long and expand," Bakos said. "We can make the market bigger as needed and that’s really nice."

The market sells $5 Farmers Market Money gift certificates and if you buy $45 worth you get another $5 free.  

The market also accepts SNAP benefits and thanks to a grant, through July, customers who use their SNAP benefits card at the market will receive a $2 coupon for each $5 purchased from a food vendor.

Press release:

The Genesee Country Farmers' Market located at the Downtown Batavia Public Market opens for the season on Friday, June 8th, at the market's location on the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place.

Market hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with the season running from Friday, June 8th, through Friday, Oct. 26th.

"This year marks the third year of collaboration with BID (Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District)," says Market Manager Mike Bakos. "The Market will remain a three-day per week "Grow-Your-Own" market featuring the freshest locally grown produce along with unique specialty items from local farms and artisans.

"Vendors are excited about the upcoming market season with many of last year's vendors returning along with some new additions. The market will once again participate in the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), NYS FreshConnect, WIC and Senior Farmer's Market Check Programs. Stop by and talk directly to the people that grow your food."

Parties interested in joining the market to become a Seasonal Vendor or Day Vendor may contact Sharon Brent at (716)-560-0853 or by email at sharon_brent@hotmail.com or Mike Bakos at (716) 866-4958 or by email at mbakos@rochester.rr.com.

Qualifying charities, service-groups, or 501c3 organizations that would like to participate in the market may obtain a "FREE" market stall by contacting the market at (716) 866-4958 or by email at mbakos@rochester.rr.com.

A walk around the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market and a chat with the farmers provides a snapshot of what fruits and vegetables are currently available in our region.  Nearing the end of August, there is a huge variety of local produce available, including:  tomatoes, corn, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, green beans, eggplant, onions, garlic, broccoli, beets, swiss chard, snap peas, peaches, plums, pears and early varieties of apples. 

Right now is the best time for canning or freezing.  I asked Sharon from Schwab Farm how long “canning season” lasts.  Sharon explained that, in her opinion, it depends on the weather.  Once the night time temperature begins to drop down into the 40’s, the flavor and quality of the fruits and vegetables isn’t quite as good as it is right now.  When we preserve foods for later use, we want to select fruits and veggies that are in their prime for maximum flavor later.  Weather permitting, we should have a few more weeks of prime canning season.  Cucumbers are available for pickling, tomatoes and peppers for salsa, and freestone peaches (where the pit is easily removed) are great for canning and freezing.  

Sharon also explained how she freezes corn.  She says the results are great and the process is easy.  

How To Freeze Corn:

Start with about 12-18 ears of corn.  Peel the corn, then use a large knife to slice the kernels off the cob.  In a large pot, add one cup of water and one stick of butter.  Heat it until the butter melts then add the corn.  Simmer the corn for a few minutes until the color has changed from looking raw to looking cooked.  Strain the corn, but reserve the cooking liquid.  Let the corn cool slightly then spoon it into freezer bags.  Add a few teaspoons of the cooking liquid to each bag, then seal and freeze.  Frozen corn can be reheated on the stove or in the microwave.

If you have a favorite use for local produce or a canning or freezing recipe, feel free to share it in the comments below.  

The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market is located at the corner of Bank St. and Alva Place (near JC Penney) in downtown Batavia, from 9am-4pm Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  Fresh produce and baked goods are available every market day, but Friday has a larger variety of vendors and more craft and specialty items. 

Biting into a fresh and juicy peach is a reminder that, regardless of gray skies and rain, summer is definitely upon us. This week there is a large selection of fruits and veggies that are just coming into season: field-grown tomatoes, sweet corn, eggplant, sweet and hot peppers, and plums. This is also prime time for pickling cucumbers.   Peaches are available, too, but freestone peaches (for canning, where the pit is easily removed) will be ready around Aug. 10th. 

We are all familiar with advertisements from stores announcing the “last chance” to buy something at a low price. My phone has been ringing with the same prerecorded call for the last three years, notifying me of my “last chance” to lower the interest rate on my credit card. I don’t believe it. But here in New York, our time to buy fresh, local food really is limited. Nature doesn’t let us grow berries in January. Now is the time to slice a red (or yellow, or purple) ripe tomato onto your salad this summer. Don’t miss the opportunity. 

Last summer, our local farmers were affected by the drought. But today it’s raining, again. At the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market, I asked Sharon from Schwab Farms in Gasport how the rain has been affecting their crops.

“We prefer it a little drier…but everything looks beautiful,” Sharon said with a smile. 

The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market is located at the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place (near JCPenney) in Downtown Batavia, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Fresh produce and baked goods are available every market day, but Friday has a larger variety of vendors and more craft and specialty items. 

The Bergen Community Farmers Market started at Hickory Park on Thursday at 4 p.m. with some local produce, pastries and live music. The park is located at 51 S. Lake Ave. (Route 19)

Below are photos from the opening night. 

Press release:

The Genesee Country Farmers' Market located at the Downtown Batavia Public Market opens for the season on Friday, June 9th, at the market's location on the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place in the Downtown Batavia Business District.

Market hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays with the season running from Friday, June 9th, through Friday, Oct. 27th.

"This year marks the second year of collaboration with BID (Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District)," says Market Manager Mike Bakos. "The Market, presently in this year's planning stages, is working to build upon last year's successful merger of the 10-year old BID Downtown Batavia Public Market with the 43-year-old Genesee Country Farmers' Market.

"The Market remains a 'Grow-Your-Own' market featuring the freshest locally grown produce along with unique specialty items. Vendors are excited about the upcoming market season with many of last year's vendors returning along with some new additions. The market will once again participate in the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), NYS FreshConnect, WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Check Programs. Stop by and talk directly to the people that grow your food."

Parties interested in joining the market to become a Seasonal Vendor or Day Vendor may contact Sharon Brent at (716)-560-0853 or by email at sharon_brent@hotmail.com or Mike Bakos at (716) 866-4958 or by email at mbakos@rochester.rr.com.

Qualifying charities, service groups, or 501c3 organizations that would like to participate in the market may obtain a FREE market stall by contacting the market at (716) 866-4958 or by email at mbakos@rochester.rr.com.

The new public market -- a merger of the Business Improvement District's public market and the Genesee County Farmers' Market -- opened at Bank Street and Alva Place today.

A new vendor this year is Big Bossman's BBQ, run by Anthony Person, of Lockport.

Person said his family has a long tradition in the food business, and after his mother died recently, he wanted to keep the tradition going.

Fighting back tears, Pearson told WBTA's Alex Feig that he was president of his mother's company, Mrs. Ribs, but after she died, he didn't want to trade on her name, so he bought his own truck and called it Big Bossman's, a name his parents used for their first restaurant, which they ran out of their home.

The recipes have been handed down generation after generation in his family, from mother to mother to mother, going back to the family's days as slaves in the South. 

He was pleased to get invited to be a vendor in Batavia, he said.

"I’m a small businessman just trying to make an honest living just like anybody else, always looking for a way to expand my market, sell my product in new areas, and Batavia, I’ve always wanted to come this way and the Farmers' Market offered me a chance to showcase my cuisine," he said.

The market will be open for business from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and will run through Oct. 28, weather permitting.

Press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) is pleased to announce the beginning of the season for the Genesee Country Farmers’ Market located at the Downtown Batavia Public Market.

The market is located at Bank and Alva streets and will operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays beginning this Friday, June 10^th until Oct. 28^th.

The market will offer fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, coffee, crafts and more.

Please come this Friday to join the many others who support the newly merged markets and to support the Downtown with this new venture.

For questions regarding the market, please contact Market President Bob Austen at (585) 991-8339.

Press release:

The Genesee County Farmers' Market opens for the season on Tuesday, June 10, at the Batavia Downs parking lot on Park Avenue. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Fridays, through Oct. 31.

"The market is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year," says Market Manager Mike Bakos, "This market is the original Farmers' Market in Genesee County and remains a 'Grow Your Own' market featuring locally grown produce and specialty items. The vendors are planning many special events to celebrate this milestone anniversary."

• Kids' Day -- July 25
• Wine & Beer Day -- Aug. 22
• Ladies' Day -- Sept. 19

Parties interested in joining the market to become a seasonal vendor or day vendor may contact Sharon Brent at (716) 560-0853 or by e-mail at   sharon_brent@hotmail.com

Qualifying charities, service groups, or 501c3 organizations that would like to participate in the market may obtain a "FREE" market stall by contacting the market at (716) 866-4958 or by e-mail at   mbakos@rochester.rr.com

Justine and Shayna Lawrence with Aubrey were among the shoppers showing up this afternoon for the Genesee Country Farmers Market at Batavia Downs.

The market is open on Tuesday and Fridays in the Downs parking lot.

All of the produce is grown by the vendors themselves and they displayed well-stocked tables today.

Below, the little red-headed girl holding an ear of corn is 2-year-old Alice, of Oakfield.

Press release:

BRING YOUR FEET DOWNTOWN AND MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES! The Batavia Business Improvement District announces the opening of the Downtown Batavia Public Market on Thursday, June 20 and runs through Sept. 26. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., every Thursday and is located at the corner of Center & Ellicott (Rte 63) streets in Downtown Batavia.

Conveniently located in the center of our city, visit our market before you do your regular shopping to be sure your food is the freshest and that your dollars remain local. Now entering its eighth year, the public market has grown and changed to become a staple of the Downtown.

The market this season will have the following vendors providing fresh baked goods, a wide variety of produce and fruits herbs, flowers, maple syrup, dip mixes, dog treats, BBQ sauce, handmade quilts and other items. Plus, pulled pork sandwiches, Italian sausage, hot dogs and hamburgers for lunchtime at the market. Look for the colorful umbrellas.

Vendors include: Alston’s BBQ Sauce; Athena’s Bakery & Dog Treats; Crazy Quilts; Irene’s Variety; Karen’s Yarn Paper & Scissors; Nice Farms; Stymus Farms; and Schwab Farms.

If you would like to know more about how to participate in the Downtown Public Market, please contact Don Burkel at the BID at 585-344-0900 or email dburkel@downtownbataviany.com for local food, fun, and familiar faces!

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It's national Famers Market Week and to help commerate the event, Rep. Kathy Hochul stopped by the Genesee County Farmers Market in the Batavia Downs parking lot this morning.

Above, Hochul buys flowers from Kathryn Schneider, as mother Dana looks on. Dana Schneider is owner of Stonehouse Acres. Hochul told Kathryn that she worked in her mother's flower shop as a child as did her daughter. "See, you can learn a lot selling flowers," Hochul told Kathryn.

Below, Hochul is greeted by another constitutent and a couple of pictures of flowers and corn for sale today at the market.

Press release:

MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES! This year, the Batavia Business Improvement District is excited to begin the planning for the Batavia Downtown Public Market that runs from June 21 to Sept 27. We are looking for farms, wineries, artists and craftsmen to participate.

Conveniently located in the downtown, visit our market before you do your regular shopping to be sure your food is the freshest and that your dollars remain local. Now entering its seventh year, the public market has grown and changed to become a staple of the downtown.

Although public markets have now become quite the trend, the goal is the same. People want the tradition of heading to the market to buy fresh, quality foods and wine and unique crafts from local farms and craftspersons. There is a desire to feel connected to their community.

Batavia has a unique geographic advantage because it bridges two major sales markets, Rochester and Buffalo. It also has four major routes that converge within the city – Routes 5, 33, 63 and 98.

Unlike some public markets which are tucked in a small lot or out of public view, the Batavia Downtown Public Market is located at the corner of Ellicott Street (Route 63) and Center Street, right in the center of the downtown. According to the Department of Transportation, over 15,000 cars drive past the market daily. Public parking is plentiful and easy to find.

The Business Improvement District, otherwise known as the BID, is a nonprofit organization made up of downtown property owners and tenants dedicated to economic and cultural revitalization that is above and beyond what the municipality can do.

A public market that is in the center of town creates a sense of place and belonging. Going back to our roots, farmer’s markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing for small farms, wineries and other businesses.

Farms, large or small, wineries, or artists/craftsmen that would like to sell their homemade crafts are welcome to participate.

If you would like to know more about the BID in general or how to participate in the Downtown Public Market or the autumn Wine Walk, please contact Laurie Oltramari at the BID at 585-344-0900 or email LOltramari@downtownbataviany.com.

Visit your downtown FARMACY for local food, fun and familiar faces!

We've come into that part of the season where there is an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables at the local farmers markets. Yesterday afternoon, I stopped by the Genesee Country Farmers' Market at Batavia Downs and took a few pictures.

The market is open Tuesdays and Fridays.

First goal after leaving the court house around noon -- getting a pulled pork sandwich from Alston's at the Downtown Public Market. Second goal, photos at the market.

Both goals accomplished.

And I also learned that Alston's now participates in the Genesee Country Farmers Market at Batavia Downs. That market is open on Tuesdays and Fridays, but Alston's is only there on Fridays.

The downtown market appears to be doing very well this year. There was certainly a great selection New York fruits and vegetables to "heart."

LeRoy Farmers’ Market is pleased to announce its fifth year of offering fresh, seasonal and local produce and products to the LeRoy community! Opening day is 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 25, in the Bank Street parking lot behind McDonald’s.

There are 19 vendors this year to provide eggs, cheese, baked goods, coffee and tea, soap, honey, flowers, wine, BBQ pork sandwiches, herbs, maple syrup, nut butters, naturally grown frozen beef, made to order hot dogs and hamburgers, and fruits and vegetables. 

The market is happy to welcome back Mellander's Maple. Dennis Mellander returned from his sugar bush in Allegany County with a good supply of Maple syrup and maple products. In addition, he will be offering nut butters from Once Again Nut Butters from Nunda, including, sunflower butter, almond butter, cashew butter and organic butters. Stop in and have a sample!

New to the Market this year is D’s Franks, Gabby’s Pumpkin Patch from Oakfield, Stony Creek Flower Farm and Zantopeia Herb Garden, both from Caledonia.

Diane Strock of D’s Franks, has offered made to order hot dogs, hamburgers and sausage for three years at several locations from her mobile food trailer. She uses Zweigle hot dogs and locally made hot sauce. She also offers hot coffee and cold bottled water and soda.

Another addition to the many local farms at the Market is Gabby’s Pumpkin Patch from Oakfield. Patricia Gibsons’ family farm offers seasonal produce including kale, sugar snap peas, turnips, pumpkins, gourds, parsnips and fresh-cut herbs. 

Fresh-cut flowers from Linda Driscoll at Stony Creek Flower Farm in Caledonia are a beautiful addition to the LeRoy Farmers’ Market. Linda will also offer bouquets and dried flowers.

Drew Zantopf of Zantopeia Herb Farm in Caladonia, will be offering a variety of potted herbs and plants for the first market only. Come early for the best selection!

Every Saturday there will be entertainment. On opening day, June 25, the market will welcome back Bev Hess. She plays some of our favorite songs on her keyboard and is very entertaining!

The LeRoy Farmers’ Market is open from 8:30 to 12:30 every Saturday morning June 25 until mid-October. Our market participates in the New York Nutrition Program and some vendors participate with New York State WIC program. Please check our website www.leroyfarmersmarket.org for information, or our fan page on Facebook for weekly updates and special happenings.

(Thank you to my LFM advertising partner -- Catherine Rhoads -- for the content!)