Do You Know Where Your Food Comes From?
Do You Know Where Your Food Comes From?
Warm up at the Indoor Winter Farmers Market held every other Saturday at Canticle Farms in Allegany, featuring a variety of farm-fresh businesses
Photos / Various Sources
Do you know where your food comes from? I mean, obviously you’re getting it at a supermarket, but do you know where the store is getting it from? Most of us don’t, and we really should. Knowing where your food comes from is important! Making informed decisions about quality, nutrition and freshness encourages a more mindful approach to eating and connecting with your food sources.
That’s part of the reason farmers markets are so popular during the summer and early fall months. You can walk up to the stand of your choice, choose from “straight from the garden to you” items, and know just what you’re getting while supporting a local business. Its always fun to browse the displays and find just what’s right for you.
“But Jessica, that’s during the summer. What are we supposed to do when the snow is covering the ground?” I’m so glad you asked, because the Olean Area Farmers Market and Canticle Farm were also asking that same question, before coming up with their first-ever Indoor Winter Farmers Market.
Yes! You can still get fresh, locally grown and created products during the winter months! Canticle Farm Market is located at 3809 Old State Road in Allegany, NY, just a short drive from Ellicottville. The market is open every other Saturday now through May from 11:00am-2:00pm. Their market offers a core group of six farm and food vendors. They are…
Mascho Homestead Farms: Specializing in pasture based animal farming, Mascho offers grass-finished beef and pork products. Think smoked ham, country ribs, t-bone steaks, sausage, soup bones… All your meaty needs can be found at their stand. You can also reach out to them via the contact info on their Facebook page to place bulk package orders or call 585-610-6924 for more information.
Country Honey: The Brachmann Family has been creating delicious Spring and Fall Honeys for years. Found in many local shops and a staple at the regular Olean Farmers Market, 2nd generation bee farmer Trevor Brachmann and his companion pups will be offering not just their raw unfiltered honey, but also beautiful handmade beeswax candles and stunning artwork by Barbara Fox.
Mindfully Holistic: This one is for all of you beverage seekers (of the non-alcoholic variety). Mindfully Holistic features loose leaf tea blends and coffee created out of only the best organic ingredients, with blends you can’t just pick up from your regular grocery store outlet, like Peach Cobbler, an English Breakfast Tea with organic peach flavoring, honeybush and vanilla. They’ve also created a special Purely Feminine herbal tea, created with raspberry leaf, licorice root, tulsi, marshmallow root and more, designed to help us women with some of life’s issues. This brand offers blends for all occasions. If you want to check them out for yourselves, visit their Etsy page or their Facebook page.
Rolling Scones Baking Company: You don’t have to feel left out of the bakery experience if you’ve got Celiac or other gluten complications. Rolling Scones specializes in gluten-free and vegan baked goods. If you follow them on Instagram, you’ll be able to see all the tasty offerings they can create, like their Apple Cheddar or their staple Blueberry Lemon. They change their menu depending on what’s in season. They sometimes even do themed hot chocolates and lattes, like their Gilmore Girls The Yale Dropout, which was a brown sugar cinnamon & blueberry latte. Now that sounds amazing!
Winery Shepherds: This one is for anyone who was missing the alcohol earlier. Hailing from Cuba, NY, this little spot produces small-batch honey wine and meads. They use local ingredients paired with traditional preservation techniques to create their delectable drinks. Their staple Hive-to-Table is a traditional viking style mead that is both sour and invigorating. But they also have specialty blends like their Pitcher of Nectar (honey forward, semi-sweet) and the Peach Capiscumel (sweet peach with hot pepper, semi-sweet spicy blend). Grab yourself a bottle to go with your fresh veggies and steaks.
Canticle Farm: The host of this event and the farm-to-table veggie provider of the market. They are a non-profit farm, ministry sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany (FSA). Canticle Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, committed to connect all peoples, to practice Earth friendly habits and to come to a realization of a Creation centered spirituality. You can pick from what they have in season and trust me, you’ll taste the difference. Find them on Facebook to learn more.
Brookeside Maple Farm: Family-ran providers of all things maple. They have syrup - from light to dark grading. Amber color being a rich full-bodied maple flavor that is medium in intensity, to Very Dark, the grade generally recommended for cooking due to its strong, intense flavor. They also carry maple cream, maple sugar, maple roasted nuts… you get the idea. If you love maple, this is the stall for you. You can also visit their online store on their website.
And those are just the core groups who have committed to all eight winter market slots. But there are also occasional guest vendors throughout the winter, so you’ll just have to keep coming back to see what’s available.
Plan a trip to Canticle Farm the next couple of markets, March 8th and March 22nd. You’ll not only be helping yourself make better food purchasing decisions, but you’ll also be supporting many local farms and businesses directly. Locals supporting locals, farm-to-table food, and a nice winter day out shopping… How can you top that?
