Top 10 Farmer’s Markets in the New York Capital Region
Growing up in the Capital Region has made me very familiar of the wide variety of farmers markets with an abundance of locally grown and fresh produce. Saturdays in the summer were never complete without buying fresh tomatoes or strawberries from the friendliest vendors in the state. Visiting farmers markets throughout the Albany area helps support local, small farms, which helps keep them from being bought out by larger food corporations and also improves the local economy. Additionally, locally sourced food uses less gas, electricity, and other energy to transport it, saving the environment and the economy from the effects of wasted energy. Here is a list of the top 10 farmers markets in the Capital Region, including some of my personal favorites.
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#10: New Covenant Farmer’s Market
916 Western Ave. Albany, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/NewCovenantFarmersMarket/
Founded in 2012, the New Covenant Farmers Market is run in the parking lot of a church every Tuesday from 3–6 pm, which is a refreshing change from the weekend hours of a typical farmers market. The market’s mission is to create an environment that is communal rather than commercial, featuring local musicians, locally grown produce, and handmade goods. There are also events that occur during market hours, rain or shine, like kids’ days and outdoor barbecues. The market typically hosts around 500 visitors per week, which is impressive for a Presbyterian church parking lot on a Tuesday night.
#9: Lansing Farm Market & Greenhouses
204 Lishakill Rd. Niskayuna, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/LansingFarmMarket/
Like many small businesses in my hometown, Lansing Farm Market is an 8th generation family owned and operated farm. The farm and farm stand operation has expanded in past years to include greenhouses in 1980, Farmers Markets in 2006, greenhouse tomatoes in 2008, and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program in 2010. Not only are their prices frequently better than produce at the local grocery store, but everything is fresh and convenient; consumers can pay with credit cards, which goes a long way on a Yelp review. In addition to buying produce on the spot, visitors can also purchase plants and seeds for their home gardens while making their thumbs a little bit greener.
#8: Schenectady Greenmarket
105 Jay St. Schenectady, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/SchenectadyGreenmarket/
The Schenectady Greenmarket runs all year round, moving inside a local theater during the winter months. Different vendors are offered depending on the season, but there is always representation from a wide array of local farms and businesses. Visiting the market is often described as the ‘favorite Sunday activity’ for those who visit the weekly hours: 10:00am-2:00pm. Must be pretty good if it’s better than going to church! The main pride of the market is their ‘producer only’ status, meaning everything for sale at the market has been grown, cooked or created by the people selling the product.
#7: Forts Ferry Farm
185 Forts Ferry Rd. Latham, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/fortsferryfarm/
Forts Ferry Farm only has weekend hours, running Thursday through Sunday with slightly adjusted daily hours. One of the owners of the farms is a former executive chef of a successful New York City restaurant who returned to her hometown to explore her passion for wellness and using food as medicine. Don’t let the city background fool you; the growers source heirloom seeds for their distinctive shape, color, flavor, and history, often growing and tasting the produce for the first time themselves. All that trouble is worth it to the reviewers who rave about the unique produce offerings and beg the farm to stay open year round.
#6: Troy Waterfront Farmers Market
Monument Sq. Troy, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/TroyWaterfrontFarmersMarket/
Located in downtown Troy, the Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market began in 2000 with only a handful of vendors, but became popular enough to add a winter market only two years later. The market runs from 9:00am to 2:00pm on Saturdays and draws upwards of 14,000 people on a weekly basis (I didn’t even know there were that many people in Troy!). The city highlights the market as somewhat of a tourist attraction for the few people who consider Troy to be a tourist destination. There is a long list of specifications that a vendor needs to meet to sell its product at the market, which must be why the merchandise is so highly valued by customers.
#5: Delmar Farmers Market
332 Kenwood Ave. Delmar, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/SaturdayDelmarFarmersMarket
I’ll admit, I’m biased about the Delmar Farmers Market, but can you blame me? It’s held in the parking lot of the middle school where I spent my pre-teen years and I worked on the logo design with my seventh grade art teacher. The market is easy to navigate and friendly vendors are everywhere you go. Visitors can feel a sense of community through the promotion of sustainable farming, healthy foods, environmental awareness, and the support of local and fair trade businesses. Plus there’s a crepe cart. Need I say more?
#4: George’s Market and Cafe
945 Watervliet Shaker Rd. Albany, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/Shaker-Shed-Farm-Market-136943239706347/
George’s actually has two different locations and boasts services like a gift shop, nursery, greenhouse, landscaping services, and mulch and stone delivery. The cafe itself includes breakfast foods, sandwiches, soups, salads, and baked goods. It’s basically a one-stop shop for any small business that you could think about visiting. Like the Lansing Farm Market, the land that grows the produce sold at George’s Market has been passed down through several generations of the same family. Anyone on their way to or from the airport would be wise to stop in to see what this place has to offer.
#3: Empire State Farmers’ Market
Madison at Eagle St. Albany, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/espFARMERSMARKET/
Anyone who works downtown will tell you: this is the place for fresh produce. It’s a bit unexpected to find locally grown items in the heart of Downtown Albany, but that’s what makes it all the more special. You can stand in the shadow of The Egg every Wednesday and Friday and browse the large variety of vendors, even a beer guy! Similar to the Schenectady Greenmarket, all products sold are grown or made by the vendors selling them.
#2: Gade Farm
2479 Western Ave. Guilderland, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/GadeFarmNY/
The unique selling point for Gade Farms would probably be their offering of Christmas trees in the winter months, which isn’t too typical for a farmers market to sell. Additionally, the staff offers custom planting for any visitor who brings in a pot and an idea of what they want to grow. All of the produce is grown right behind the main store and greenhouses, which also includes a variety of baked goods. The farm also offers custom decorating services in the fall and winter seasons and informational classes about various topics that are relevant to gardening and farming. Sign me up for the next beekeeping class (seriously)!
#1: The Crossings
580 Albany Shaker Rd. Albany, NY.
https://www.colonie.org/coloniefarmersmarket.htm
The Crossings is one of the most popular parks in Colonie and also manages to host a family-friendly farmers market on Saturdays (overachiever much?). The market is adjacent to the park’s playground area and pond, complete with picnic tables to sit at and eat the fresh baked goods and organic produce offered by local vendors. Considering the amount of moms in Albany that would rather be at Whole Foods than Chuck E. Cheese on a Saturday morning, it’s not surprising that this location tops the list. Everyone wins with this one, until little Timmy gets a scrape on his knee while playing King of the Hill.
The farmers markets in the Albany area really give a sense of the city’s culture and commitment to locally grown produce that supports small businesses. Communities come together in several places to enjoy each other’s company, as well as some great food and music. Farmers markets are a staple visiting spot for any local resident, and often where I made my favorite memories with my family and friends. I really do miss those crepes…
