As many of our regular readers know, Wintermarket on Elmwood will open for the first time tomorrow, January 13th. This will present a great opportunity for area residents, food producers and farmers alike. Open Sundays from 1 PM - 4 PM, this collection of businesses, usually found at the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market during the summer, now has a venue in which to sell their fine products in the chilly season.
I recently had the chance to speak with David Setzer of The Artful Table and Slow Food Buffalo, who has spearheaded the project, about his motivations for bringing this project to life.
"First and foremost, it was the desire to create an additional route to connect the local food producer to the consumer. In order for local food systems to grow, we must simultaneously create the market (consumer) and find and support producers. At the end of the traditional farmers market season, most farmers/producers literally pack up their tents and go home, awaiting spring. Even with the short growing season in WNY, there are still many products available. And with the establishment of an off-season marketplace we can encourage farmers to think about extending their season via early and late season greenhouse crops and the storage of winter and root vegetables."
The market found its home quite simply, Setzer told me. "As we were trying to locate a site for the market, we thought of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church because of their involvement with Native Offerings Farm as a pickup site for their CSA members. Pastor Drew welcomed our idea and we could not have found a better partner." The market will be held in the basement of the church, and patrons will enter using the side door on Lafayette.
The lengthy list of featured (and well-loved) vendors is below. Blossom Hill Farm will be added to the lineup beginning next week, and Setzer is hard at work trying to bring a purveyor of fresh produce on board.
"For the future, we would like to see more integration with the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market and the Elmwood Village Association," Setzer said. "Further down the road, we would like to see the establishment of a permanent market--maybe even a few--that will feature local, sustainably produced foods from the region."
Artful Table- artisan breads
Avenue Boys Smokehouse- sausages and specialty charcuterie
Carla's Crumby Creations- organic, dairy-free cookies
Chateau Buffalo- artisan ciders from local apples
Go Veggies- veggie burgers and rolls
Saltamonte's Salsa- fresh salsas, jalapeño pickles, and southwestern
specialties
Tea Amo- fresh, high quality loose teas
White Cow Dairy- farmstead yogurt, custard, and other dairy foods
Wintermarket on Elmwood
Lafayette Presbyterian Church
875 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, 14222