Winter at the Market

Finally some say, "Winter has arrived!"

Others bemoan the snow that fell fast and furiously on Friday, January 13, 2012.

Regardless of one's preference, winter in Rochester has become unpredictable.  It used to be, old-timers tell us, that one didn't see the ground from November to April. Yes, one could count on a white Christmas. 

So far, winter has been kind to the farmers and vendors at the Public Market. Sunny skies and no snow enticed people out to shop.

But winter's blast on Friday the 13th changed all that. Only the hardy and hooked shoppers braved the wind and cold to come out the day after the season's first snow storm.

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Regardless of the weather, many vendors' livelihoods depend upon their sales at the market. Many are selling fruits and vegetables they harvested in the fall and keep in storage to be as fresh as possible.

For locally grown produce, Tim Ophardt (Ophardt Farm, Brockport), pictured above, sells potatoes, onions and cabbage. Dave Brown, also pictured above, helps farmers Anita Amsler and Louie Bell (Oldhome Farm, Walworth) sell locally grown rutabaga, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions, and eggs.  Carol and Kevin Datthyn, pictured above (Abe Datthyn Farms, Sodus) are the only farmers raising and selling fingerling potatoes and shallots. Brent Bushart (Bushart Farm, Marion) sells a variety of potatoes from Yukon Gold to Irish.

Gary and Ginny Eaton (Eaton Farm, Ontario) are still selling Bosc pears and several variety of apples as do Roxy and Ike Datthyn (Datthyn Fruit Farm, Sodus). Tim Gilman (Okra Hill Farm, Albion) is the market's source for hydroponic tomatoes grown at Intergrow in Albion.

From nuts to free range meats, kitchen wares to baked goods—almost any food related items are available at the market. It is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, year round. Vendors are here to help stretch your food dollar as well as entice you to try new and different foods.

 
©Margaret W. Miyake