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Get ready to fill your tote bags and bellies with delicious, farm fresh veggies and scour the streets for fun locally-made artisanal goods, handmade with love! It's outdoor farmers market season soon and we're gearing up for a season full of vibrant bouquets, tasty turnips, nutritious smoothies, hot foods, stunning artwork, holistic tinctures, and more! Here are five of our favorite farmers markets in and around the Capital Region of Upstate New York that we highly suggest you to visit. So grab a coffee, wear your comfiest pair of shoes, and get ready to explore the bustling stalls and eclectic offerings that await.
1. Troy Waterfront Farmers Market | Saturdays from 9am - 2pm
Click here to learn more about the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market!
2. Saratoga Farmers Market | Saturdays from 9:30am - 1:30pm
Click here to learn more about the Saratoga Farmers Market!
3. Empire State Plaza Farmers Market | Wednesdays 10am - 2pm
Click here to learn more about the Empire State Farmers Market!
Discover the freshest flavors of the season at the Empire State Plaza Farmers Market! From crisp produce to creamy cheeses and irresistible baked goods, there's something for everyone. As part of the New York State Fresh Connect program, their mission is to serve local communities by bringing fresh food to under-served areas, promoting nutrition education, and supporting local jobs.
4. Spa City Farmers Market | Sundays from 10am - 2pm
Click here to learn more about the Spa City Farmers Market!
5. Schenectady Green Market | Sunday 10am - 2pm
Click here to learn more about the Schenectady Green Market!
Since its establishment in 2008, the market has been a cornerstone of downtown Schenectady, fostering connections between urban and rural communities to promote a sustainable food system. With over 60 diverse vendors, the Schenectady Greenmarket offers a bountiful selection of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and crafts, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy! The market's commitment to giving back also shines through as vendors generously donate surplus produce, bread, and eggs to support the City Mission of Schenectady week after week.
What's in season? Here are some foods that are available at certain times of the year:
EARLY SUMMER (MAY-JUNE)
Arugula, asparagus, beets, bok choy, carrots, chard, chives, fiddleheads, garlic scapes, gooseberries, herbs, kale, lettuce, morels, mustard greens, ramps, rhubarb, radishes, scallions, snap and snow peas, spinach, strawberries, turnips.
LATE SUMMER (JULY-AUGUST)
Arugula, basil, beets, blueberries, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cilantro, chard, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, garlic, grapes, green beans, ground cherries, herbs, hot peppers, kohlrabi lavender, leeks, lettuce, melons, mint, mustard greens okra, oregano, onions, parsley, peaches, pears, plums, radishes, rapini, raspberries, rhubarb, rosemary, rutabaga, sage, scallions, shallots, snap and snow peas, string beans, summer squash, sweet peppers, tomatillos, tomatoes, thyme, turnips, zucchini.
EARLY FALL (SEPTEMBER)
Apples, brussels sprouts, carrots, cabbages, cauliflower, chard, chicories, celery, celery root, collard greens, corn, eggplant, endives, fennel, ginger, green beans, ground cherries, herbs, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, okra, onions, pawpaw, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, rapini, scallions, spinach, shell beans, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatillos, tomatoes.
LATE FALL (OCTOBER-NOVEMBER)
Beets, blackberries, brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, cranberries, celery, celery root, eggplant, fennel, ground cherries, herbs, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, onion, parsnip, pumpkins, squash, spinach, turnips.
WINTER
Dried herbs, dried flowers, storage crops such as carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, beets, and garlic.
Why is it important to eat seasonally? Eating seasonal food is great because it's fresher, tastier, and often cheaper. It supports local farmers and reduces environmental impact by cutting down on long-distance transportation. Plus, it helps us feel more connected to the natural cycle of food production and encourages us to get creative in the kitchen with fresh ingredients!
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