“Find us inside till March 28,” read Ithaca Farmers Market’s Instagram bio.
As someone who loves the Ithaca Farmers Market, I was both excited and intrigued to find out that this local attraction was still open during the winter months. To escape the cold, the Ithaca Farmers Market had relocated from Steamboat Landing to Triphammer Marketplace, every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
I pushed open the door and was greeted by the pleasant hum of a bustling crowd. The area resembled an outdoor street, complete with patio-like furniture and benches. The ‘street’ itself was shielded with a transparent, gable roof, allowing sunshine and natural light to flood in while keeping the cold out. Vendors were lined up against the wall, each one selling something unique: I saw signs for bison, eggs, honey straws and jam; I took in the fresh potatoes, carrots and turnips piled in baskets; I admired the delicate earrings and necklaces that dangled from hooks. As I walked by a table stacked with wedges and blocks of cheese, I speared a free cheese sample with a toothpick and popped it in my mouth.
I was very tempted to buy a cut of fresh bison or lamb to take back with me for dinner, and I pictured picking out various fresh selections of vegetables and other treats to complete my purchase. It was only the fact that I do not have a kitchen to actually cook this meal that stopped me from buying. However, considering the crackers I had in my dorm, I did buy a wedge of cheese from Snow Farm Creamery to take home, which was in fact, delicious.
While the summer Farmers Market has more vendors and ready-made food options available for tourists, the winter Farmers Market is more focused on supplying weekly grocery shopping needs for locals. As a result, the winter market is slightly smaller, but feels much cozier. However, this does not mean that tourists cannot also explore restaurants like Ithaca Bakery, salons like The Ivy or stores like Advantage Sport and Fitness, which are also located in Triphammer Marketplace. After wandering through the Farmers Market, I ventured into Ithaca Bakery, which reminded me of Collegetown Bagels; I later learned that both stores are owned by the same company, which explained the resemblance. I picked up a smoothie and peered into their display case, which was bursting with various cheesecakes, brownies and cupcakes.
One of the coolest things I find about the Ithaca Farmers Market, regardless of its location in Steamboat Landing or Triphammer Marketplace, is that everything sold is grown, created or produced locally. Everything is of fresh and exceptional quality, and each vendor is deeply passionate about their individual specialization. This makes shopping at a farmers market distinct from a traditional supermarket, where the labor that goes into a product’s creation can feel distant from the item itself, and the experience much less personalized. In a world where most of our shopping experiences are so commercialized, it’s nice to know exactly where each product originates. Shopping at the Ithaca Farmers Market has not only made me appreciate the effort involved in creating each item, but also curious about the intricate processes involved. For example, I would love to watch as honey is harvested or learn how the artisans make their jewelry from start to finish.
There are only two more weekends left in March, but visiting the Ithaca Farmers Market in Triphammer Marketplace is definitely a worthwhile trip. It is easily accessible by car or by the TCAT 30 bus and is a great way to explore and meet locals, get a good meal or bring fresh food back to campus. But even if students run out of time to make a trip up to Triphammer Marketplace, opening day for the summer Farmers Market at Steamboat Landing is on April 4 — a perfect post-spring break adventure.
Angelina Lei is a sophomore in the College of Human Ecology. She can be reached at al2733@cornell.edu.
