Autumn in Central New York: the CNY Regional Market

One of Syracuse’s hidden gems is the CNY Regional Market. Every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., right next to the train station and Destiny USA, is a year-round farmer’s market. It’s fairly large with tons of options, especially at this time of year.

The regional market really is a hidden gem. I wake up and get to the market most Saturdays at around 7 a.m. before it gets busy. I usually only bring about $20 in cash and my reusable bags, and I leave with at least two bags filled with fresh, local produce, fresh baked bread and breakfast. The produce will last me at least the week, sometimes two weeks. It’s a steal compared to grocery store prices and you support local businesses in the process. Right now, seasonal produce will include things like squash, apples, pumpkins, broccoli and brussel sprouts.

The market consists of three semi-enclosed buildings and one row where produce vendors set up tents. Every vendor is local to Central New York and there is quite a variety of vendors as well. A majority of the vendors are selling the produce they grew on their farm. Some of the farms are very large with a team of people selling a huge variety, while others are small and specialized.

Among all of the produce are tables from other local businesses with a wide variety of products from pickles to hummus to soaps. The CNY regional market is a great place for start-ups. If you like hummus, check out the Ithaca Hummus Co. table at the end of the fourth building. They sell lemon-dill, chipotle and lemon-garlic flavors and it’s some of the best hummus in CNY. Ithaca Hummus Co. is out of Ithaca, NY and have become one of my Saturday market favorites.

Wake-Robin Farms is another great local business that has been at the regional market on and off for 15 years. From Jordan, NY, Wake Robin sells fresh yogurts, cheeses and milk, all of them delicious.

If you’re a coffee connoisseur, Forty Weight Coffee Roasters is right next door to Wake Robin at the market. Forty Weight is also out of Ithaca and sells locally roasted, bagged coffees.

There are plenty of non-food products as well. One building is much more like a flea market, with a variety of items. B. Clean Soapery is selling handmade soaps. B. Clean Soapery is based in Syracuse and sells a variety of handmade products. They have also teamed up at their table with Witty Wicks, a woman who sells candles. Definitely worth looking into.
And if you didn’t know, Central New York is home to plenty of adult beverages, including many wineries and distilleries that attend the market. Adirondack Distilleries is located in the first building and they come all the way from Utica, NY to sell their bourbon, vodka and gin products.

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend visiting the regional market at least once this fall. Get your fresh groceries cheap and support some great local businesses.