It seems we as a country are becoming aware of the importance of eating local at an increasing rate. When talk of being a ‘locavore’ began on this website in 2007, most of us had not yet discovered what value such an effort could bring to our community and to our own health.
Though we’ve progressed tremendously through the efforts of local organizations and the national media, there are times when our very seasonal weather can making eating local a real challenge. But anyone can be a locavore (or even just someone who makes an effort to eat locally) at times like this, when it doesn’t take much effort at all. With the weather we’ve had so far this summer, most of our produce farmers are 10-14 days ahead of schedule and can barely keep up with near record production. For those of you who aren’t aware of our region’s agrarian capabilities, our premium soil (and in some cases, even prime soil) combined with our varied micro-climates make Western New York a fantastic area for raising many types of crops. Thankfully, quite a few of the local supermarkets are carrying local produce more and more these days, but the best bargain and the freshest product will always come directly from the farmer.
As a city dweller you have two great options for direct purchase. You can visit one of our many farmers markets, or you can shop at one of the urban farms that is open to the public (many of them are not). Below we’ve listed both markets and urban farmstands for you, allowing you to take full advantage of this tasty and bountiful season. Every farmers market is different, each is governed by different rules and policies and they all offer their own range of vendors. If you don’t fall in love with the market closest to you, don’t give up! Maybe you can find one more your speed located near your job or on the way to a shopping district you frequent regularly. There are certainly plenty to choose from.
And, in case you missed it, as you peruse bushel baskets overflowing with delicious edibles, you may want to think about preparing for our upcoming Can You Can Pickle Swap!
Farmers Markets
Broadway Market Farmers Market
888 Broadway
Sundays from 9am – 2pm
Clinton Bailey Farmers Market
1443 Clinton Street
Year Round
Saturdays from 7am-6pm
Downtown Buffalo Country Market
Main Street (between Court and Church)
May 20th – October 28th
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8:00am-2:30pm
Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market
Bidwell Parkway and Elmwood Avenue
May 8th – December 18th
Saturdays from 8am – 1pm
Farmers Market at Grider
351 Grider Street
July 9th – October 29th
Fridays from 10am – 4pm
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Farmers Market
Kaminsky Park
June 2nd -October 20th
Wednesdays from 11am – 2pm
University Community Farmers Market
UB South Campus
June 5th – Oct 16th
Saturdays from 8am – 1pm
Urban Farms
Curbside Croft
192 Vermont Street
Monday – Friday from 3pm – 6pm
Saturdays from Noon – 3pm
Wilson Street Farm
812 Filmore Avenue
Thursdays from 3pm – 6pm
Saturdays from 9 am – Noon
Last but not least, we need to mention the Massachusetts Avenue Project (Map) and its Mobile Market, which delivers fresh veggies, grown on its farm, to various urban locations every week. Here is the Mobile Market schedule:
Jericho Road Ministries
184 Barton Street
Tuesdays from Noon – 2pm
Santa Maria Towers
225 Connecticut Street
Wednesdays from 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Sheehan Hospital
425 Michigan Avenue
Fridays from 11am – 1pm
Harvest House
175 Jefferson Avenue
Fridays from 2:30pm – 4:30 pm
Growing Green (MAP’s Urban Farm)
389 Massachusetts Avenue
Saturdays from 11am – 2pm