Think Local
By Chris Hoffman
(Sherburne, NY – Nov. 2014) For those of us who buy our food from local farmers and producers, livin’ is easy in Central New York during the summer months, since now nearly every town and village has its own market, and if not, there’s likely to be one just a few miles down the road. Buying healthy, pesticide-free food in the winter months, however, has always been something of a problem. But for a few years now, winter farmers markets have begun to pop up here and there, and they have become just as popular, if not more so.
A new winter market is about to debut this year, this time in Sherburne. Organized by Kelly Perrin of Quarry Brook Farms, this new market will be located inside the American Legion Hall at 15 S. Main Street (corner of Chapel). The first day of the market will be on Saturday Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by Feb. 7, March 7 and April 4 (no market in January).
Additionally, Quarry Brook Farms has just announced its CSA Member Choice Meat and Egg Shares for winter 2014-15. The shares will run from November through April, with on-farm pick up (8520 State Highway 12, Sherburne) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month. Three types of shares are available: a Full Share for $750 ($125 a month); a Medium Share for $480 ($80 a month); and a small share for $180 ($30 a month). Shares will feature 100 percent grass-fed beef and lamb raised on Quarry Brook’s Certified Organic farm and pasture-raised pork, poultry, and eggs supplemented with organic, non-GMO, soy-free grains. The Perrins raise nutrient-dense food free of synthetic chemicals, GMOs, and antibiotics, and their farming methods preserve the soil, the water table, and the surrounding ecosystem.
Quarry Brook CSA members are free to choose what cuts and types of meat they want each month, and shares will occasionally be supplemented with organic produce (potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, onions, carrots, etc.) as supplies allow.
For more information, see quarrybrookfarms.com, or call 607-745-2523.
Other CNY Winter Markets include:
Poolville Winter Farmers Market, an indoor winter market featuring only products produced and made in central New York. Lunch prepared by a different local restaurant each month is also available, as well as fresh coffee featuring Fair Trade, Organic, Rainforest Alliance, Shade Grown/Bird Friendly beans from FoJo Beans Coffee Roasters in Norwich. The market takes place at the Poolville Community Center, 7484 Willey Road in Poolville, second and fourth Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon, November – April (no market in January).
Contact: poolvillefarmersmarket@gmail.com.
Hamilton Indoor Winter Farmers Market, offering a wide range of products from produce to crafts. Located inside Parry’s General Store, 100 Utica St. (Route 12B) in Hamilton. Last Saturdays of the month, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. November – April.
Contact: Gwenn Werner, 315-824-0002 or gwenn@parryshamilton.com.
Oneida County Public Market, an indoor market at Union Station, 321 Main St., Utica. Open select Saturdays in November and December from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the second Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. January – April.
Contact: 315-798-3639 or info@oneidacountymarket.com.
Cazenovia Winter Market, American Legion Hall Post 88, 26 Chenango Street, third Saturdays of the month, November – April 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Contact Market Manager Aileen Randolph at workingaileen@gmail.com or 655-4429.
Central New York Regional Farmers Market, a year-round market located at 2100 Park Street in Syracuse. Saturdays 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact: 315-422-8647 or www. http://cnyrma.com/.
So, keep your food dollars local and support your local farmers and producers throughout the winter months: start shopping the winter farmers markets!
Chris Hoffman lives in the village of Sherburne in her 150+ year-old house where she caters to the demands of her four cats, attempts to grow heirloom tomatoes and herbs and reads voraciously. She passionately pursues various avenues with like-minded friends to preserve and protect a sustainable rural lifestyle for everyone in Central New York.