Shop Fresh, Shop Local, Shop Fun
Shop Fresh, Shop Local, Shop Fun
Area Farmer’s Markets Offer a Variety of Surprises
Photos: Each respective market’s social media or directors
One of the best things about living in western New York is the abundance of farmers markets throughout the region. Few things are better than sitting down to enjoy a dinner made up of locally grown or homemade foods that came from a vendor who lives right in the community. Find out all there is to discover at one of the many incredible farmers markets located in the tri-county area.
Cattaraugus Artisan & Farmers Market
2024 marks the inaugural year of the Cattaraugus Artisan & Farmers Market, which is located on North Main Street in the empty lot near the railroad tracks in the village of Cattaraugus. Market Manager Rebecca Ellis, who also owns a salon in the village, realized there was definitely a need – and a desire – for a farmers market. After many conversations with clients, residents, and other Cattaraugus business owners, she realized the idea was feasible – someone just needed to get it started, so she stepped up to the plate.
The market is held on the second and fourth Fridays in July, August, and September from 2:00-6:00pm and new vendors are joining each time. “We’re offering honey, salt scrubs, homemade soaps and crafts, fruits and vegetables, frozen meats, and we have different businesses and nonprofits here… We’ve had a petting zoo and pony rides that are here. We have the Pig Out Place offering food and RocketCup Coffee offering drinks.” Additionally, the market features card making and will soon offer baked goods for purchase. Ellis said new vendors are always welcome, and their first time setting up at the market is free!
For the discerning shopper, there is a special incentive to pay attention to each vendor’s items. During every market, Ellis hides a small stuffed cow somewhere in a vendor’s booth. “I’m collecting pieces from each vendor to make a gift basket,” she explained. “People have a chance to win it if they put their name in and where they saw the cow.”
For more information about the Cattaraugus Artisan & Farmers Market or to become a vendor (the market needs produce vendors), contact Ellis at 716-560-8772.
Ellicottville Farmers Market
If your idea of the perfect Friday night is strolling along Washington Street, exploring fresh produce, artisanal products, and local goods, then the Ellicottville Farmers’ Market is the place to be! Located at 1 Washington Street (the four corners), the market is open from 4:00-7:00pm every Friday through the end of August. In addition to fresh produce, shoppers can also find locally made honey and syrup, fresh herbs, and homemade products such as soaps, tea, candles and more.
Looking for a tasty cool treat? Enjoy shaved ice at the market! With a fun community atmosphere – including alpaca photo shoots – what’s not to enjoy about Ellicottville’s Friday night farmers’ market? Learn more by following Ellicottville Farmers’ Market on Facebook.
Gowanda Farmers Market
Now in its third year, the Gowanda Farmers Market has grown significantly, and Market Manager Becky Moore couldn’t be happier with the community’s response and area vendors’ enthusiasm for this relatively new market. Check it out for yourself on Thursdays from 2:00-6:00pm at 53 W. Main Street. “We’re getting a lot of new people coming in with different things,” Moore said. “Even since last year, I’ve had a lot more interest as far as this year goes. Just last week, I had a vendor call - they have coffee, home-baked goods, and a home processor permit. I have the Lotus Nutrition drinks coming, and a woman who does flowers, more specifically lavender, and those were all things that came in over the last week.”
One of the market’s most unique vendors is a vendor who sells organic worm castings. Moore explained, “There were quite a few people that were excited to hear about this. It is fertilizer for homegrown goods and house plants.”
A unique feature of the Gowanda Farmers Market is the monthly themes. “Our first market of the year was a luau, and we offered free Hawaiian punch along with free cookie decorating, and then we’re going to do a fair theme at the market,” she said. “We did a Fall Fest last year with pumpkin painting. This brought more people in, and it’s made it a family outing that’s affordable versus just adults coming to buy the produce and look around.”
Moore said that the weekly market will continue through September and hopefully the first two weekends in October, weather permitting. Those who are interested in becoming a vendor can contact Moore at 716-864-1751. Find out who is going to be vending at next week’s market by following the Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.
Olean Area Farmers Market
On Saturdays from 8:00am-1:00pm the Olean Area Farmers Market takes over Lincoln Park Pavilion on South Street in Olean. Market Manager Becca Stayer is thrilled to share the wide variety of local vendors participating in this year’s market. “We have several bakers who provide local baked goods for us,” she said. “We have Ellicottville Bake Shop, who recently joined our market. We have Country at Heart, which is another baked good provider right here in Allegany. We have Rolling Scones, which is gluten free, egg free, and dairy free. We have Quench & Dough, which is another baker that’s refined sugar free and gluten free, and we have the Baking Witch, which is new this year as well, and she does a lot of cupcakes, cookies - the sweet treats.”
Visitors to the market can also shop local meat vendors. “It’s great because it’s so nice to have some reliable, ethically raised meat options available, especially in our region, where we’re in a little bit of a food desert, especially for local meats,” she noted. The market’s three meat vendors include Faulkner’s Prosser Pastures, Flannigan Hill Farm, and Mascho Homestead Farm.
Stayer added that there is a nice balance between the fresh produce, meats, and artisan products offered at the Olean Area Farmers Market. “Pamela Putt – she is a sweet corn vendor – this year is offering some of her soap products, which is exciting because you wouldn’t expect to have that at a sweet corn booth,” said Stayer. “We’ve got Our Twisted Tree, and they bring such a wide variety of vegan bath and body products. They made Pride soaps last month that sold out every market.” Other vendors include Essentially Darling, which sells essential oils, aromatherapy products, handmade jewelry and more, and Mindfully Holistic with different tea blends and jewelry.
Stayer highlighted another unique presence at the market: Taste of the Region. “Taste of the Region is really cool because it has things that we might not have other vendors supplying at our market,” she explained. “For example, we don’t have a milk vendor, so what Taste of the Region does is it will find local milk within the western New York area and will bring it here to sell.”
To find out which vendors are participating each week, follow Olean Area Farmers Market on Facebook. The market season is comprised of three sessions and concludes around the end of October. However, Stayer noted that there are usually two holiday markets that are stand-alone events that take place the weekends before Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, contact Stayer at farmersmarketofolean@gmail.com.
Salamanca Farmers Market
On Tuesdays from 11:00am-5:00pm, head to 768 Broad Street, where the Salamanca Farmers Market is set up near the Seneca Gaming Bingo Hall. Market Manager Rachel Ferguson has been heading up the growing market since 2020 and is hopeful that the market will extend into a year-round event inside the bingo hall, which is currently the market’s rain location.
Shop a variety of fresh produce, along with many other foods such as fresh-baked pies, honey, maple syrup, mushrooms, and more. “We do have a pizza food truck, and we have a shaved ice vendor,” Ferguson said. “For craft vendors, we have a tie-dye lady who makes custom cups, too, and we have a few people who make their own jewelry.” The farmers market will take place outdoors (weather permitting) through mid-October, when hopefully they will transition indoors to the bingo hall for the winter months.
Ferguson encourages those who receive SNAP benefits to visit the market, as New York State matches up to $20 in fruits and vegetables for free. “I really love that program,” she said. “It helps with people eating healthy and local.” Those who are interested in becoming a vendor should contact Ferguson in March at 716-860-8419 or rferguson2011@yahoo.com. Stay up-to-date on each week’s vendors by following Salamanca Farmers Market on Facebook.
Springville Farmers Market
2024 is the first year of Springville’s outdoor country market, and market manager Kristin Kuczka of WNY Shop Local Shop Small invites everyone to enjoy exploring the variety of vendors every Thursday from 3:00-7:00pm at 28 East Main Street. In addition to produce, the market features many other handmade wares, including epoxy resin art, wood burning, painted slate shingles and barnwood, stained glass, and Kuczka’s own small business, Muglimation, which features tumblers, mugs, bags, and more.
“This is our first year doing this,” Kuczka explained. “The goal was to bring people into town and help the local small businesses on Main Street. Thursday is the day we picked because there is also a concert in the park every Thursday about a block and a half away from where our market is.” Kuczka noted that so far, the community’s response to the market has been overwhelmingly positive and the vendors have been pleased with the turnout.
The market will run through September, and if the weather is cooperative, will continue into October. To learn more about the market or become a participating vendor, follow WNY Shop Local Shop Small on Facebook or call Kuczka at 716-288-1922.
