Shopping the farmers' markets
One of the best things about weekends in the Capital Region is shopping the farmers' markets.
This week: all kinds of berries, a little bit of corn, and yes, in spite of the rain, a few tomatoes.
Here's what local markets tell us they're expecting this weekend.
SATURDAY MARKETS
Troy Farmers' Market

Riverfront Park (map)
Saturdays 9AM - 1PM
Fresh Now:
Basil,Beets (including golden and chioggia beets) , Broccoli , Cherries sweet for poppin' and sour for jammin' , Sweet corn , Green Beans and their tender french cousin Haricot Verts , Snap peas , Snow peas , English Peas , Raspberries , Strawberries ,Tomatoes
The Berry Patch of Stephentown will have LOTS of Berries
Underwoods Greenhouse from Shushan , NY is bringing tomatoes , cilantro and basil
Little River Farm of Hudson will have berries , tree fruit and chestnuts
On the way out:
Garlic Scapes , other than that its prime time for all fresh produce
Also Expect:
Authentic Mexican , Tamales and Burritos from Magdalena's Menu of Chatham
Other Fun Stuff:
Music from singer songwriter Mike Thomas , art demo by Capitol District Center for the Arts , seasonal cooking demo with Chef Larry of Tosca , childrens activity with Honest Weight Food Cooperative .
Saratoga Farmers' Market
High Rock Park (map)
Saturday 9AM - 1PM
Also Wednesday from 3-6
In season now:
Sweet red and white onions. Gooseberries and currants are beautiful and the blueberry crop is peaking. Lots of greens and herbs. Corn is also here.
Not so much:
Raspberries are hurting and almost nonexistent due to weather related issues. This holds true for peaches as well.
A sample of what you'll find:
Also Expect :
Beautiful cut flowers, baked goods, meats, eggs, milk yogurt and cheeses. Fresh mozzarella at Argyle Cheese Factory.
Other fun Stuff:
Farmers Market at the Crossings
Crossings Park of Colonie, Albany-Shaker Road across from Emerick Ln.(map) Saturday 9AM-1PM
In season now:
Our vendors will have tomatoes: Bowman Orchards, Bards Farm, George's Market, The Farm At Kristy's Barn, Burger's Farm
Certified organic purple cauliflower from Free Bird Farm
Bowman Orchards: Fall strawberries already (June & July were so cool, it forced them to come a month early!) New varieties of corn.
Also expect:
Harmony Marketplace: Scones using fresh seasonal berries
Maple-chipotle spread from R&G Cheese.
Wasabi beans from The Peanut Principle
Harmony Marketplace: dinner-plate sized cookies using local eggs and dairy and other ingredients
Rad Soaps: New bath scents bombs this week!
SUNDAY MARKETS:
Schenectady Greenmarket
Around Schenectady City Hall (map)
Sunday 10am-2pm
Fresh now:
Veggies: beets, beet greens, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, fennel, garlic and garlic scapes, green beans, kolrabi, onions, peppers, peas, potatoes, radishes, shallots, squash, tomatoes, turnips Greens: chard, kale, many varieties of salad mixes, lettuces and braising greens, endive, escarole, spinach Herbs: many varieties of basil, dill, cilantro, Italian large leaf parsley, mints, oregano, tarragon, thyme, and more
Also Expect:
Apricots, nectarines, peaches, pluots, raspberries, strawberries, sweet cherries.
Other fun stuff:
Music from the Nisky Dixie Cats, Dixieland Jazz,
Local Expert: Bring photos or samples of your garden insects and diseased plants and John Mishanec of Cornell Cooperative Extension will help you identify them and recommend some solutions for dealing with them.
Visit the live turkeys at Cooper's Ark Farm booth.
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Comments
Has anyone been the Central Ave FM recently? I went there a few weeks ago and it seemed to be loosing steam. I don't think AOA has had an update in a couple weeks. I hope ALB doesn't loose something good; cause Troy is not Brooklyn.
... said MattW on Jul 24, 2009 at 3:09 PM | link
MattW-
I went last week and it seemed a little emptier, crowd-wise, but it was also about 9:30 when I was there. A lot of the farmer's markets have seemed a little smaller to me this year and I assumed it had something to do with the craptastic weather
... said jess on Jul 24, 2009 at 6:50 PM | link
The Central Ave market seems to have more of an ebb and flow during the course of the day. This weekend they are having a series of kids programs, including yoga!
Between Bowmans farms from Schoharie and the flower lady, I fear the fall when I won't get fresh beautiful produce anymore!
... said melissa on Jul 24, 2009 at 11:47 PM | link
Don't forget the Menands market, which is more laid back than the Saratoga/Troy markets.
... said CommonSense on Jul 26, 2009 at 12:29 PM | link
@CommonSense - did you see our special shoutout to the Menands market a couple of weeks ago?
... said jess on Jul 27, 2009 at 9:03 AM | link