CNY Fresh Grown Produce Available Even in the Dead of Winter

Central New York is flush with locally grown fresh produce and foods during spring and summer. Even though it's the dead of winter, you can still get your hands on more of the good stuff this Saturday.

Polly and I had a salad made with fresh, locally grown lettuce and sprouts last night (2/4) and it all came from CNY farms who have found ways to continue growing produce using greenhouses and heated beds. Several of these farms will be part of the Oneida County Public Market this Saturday (2/6).

The "Winter Market" is held at Union Station in downtown Utica from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every other Saturday in February, March, and April before the summer season resumes May 15. About 18 vendors will be offering everything from fresh greens, produce, eggs, syrups, meats, and even wines and other spirits. Here are some of farms and items that will be available:

Banks Farms, Boonville - beef, produce, honey
Broasters Coffee Company, Rome - ground & whole bean coffee
Champagne's Gourmet Bacon, Herkimer - bacon, bacon bits
Conley Farm, Lee Center - pork, lamb, eggs, jams
Damin Farm, St Johnsville - produce, syrups, jams
Exeter Park Produce and Garlic, West Winfield - bison, turkey, eggs, herbs
Fruit of the Fungi, Earlville -mushrooms, garlic powder
Heartsease Hill, West Winfield - honey, mead
Jake's Bakes, Clinton - all natural dog treats
Jones Family Farm, Herkimer - cheeses, chicken, eggs, gelato
Kingfisher Farm, Clinton - produce, maple syrup
Mounts Creek Farm, Cold Brook - greens, goat meat, chicken
Old Home Distillers, Lebanon - bourbon, gin, whiskey, brandy
Piacentinos Farm, Deerfield - preserves, eggs, oatmeal, dried fruit, garlic
Slate Creek Farm, Barneveld - pork, chicken, eggs, duck, lamb
Sterling Valley Maple, Croghan - maple syrup/products
Stone Age Winery, Liverpool - wines and accessories
Wormont Woolies, Cassville - produce, beef, pork, lamb, eggs

Many of the farms also offer home made crafts and baked goods and all will be located inside the train station, so weather won't be an issue. COVID-19 protocols will be in place, meaning masks are required and you should practice 6-foot social distancing.

Learn more about the individual farms and the public market at Oneida County Market.com