The Downtown Syracuse Farmers Market, held on Tuesdays in Clinton Square, is closed for the season. What’s a local produce lover to do? Here are some suggestions that aren’t too far afield. Grab your market basket and shopping list and head to:
• Andy’s Foodservice Express:
The storefront at 101 W. Court St., Syracuse, is the retail arm of Andy’s Produce, supplier to local restaurants like Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. The space at the front of the warehouse is open to the public and appears to be catching on with residents of the emerging Franklin Square neighborhood. The store offers local and out-of-state produce, canned goods, herbs, spices, paper products, cleaning supplies and more. In recent weeks, the store has offered late-harvest local produce (peppers, zucchini, tomatoes and more), local apple cider, local winter squashes and local eggs (from Hudson Farms; $1.29 a dozen). In addition to what you find in the retail area, there is an entire warehouse full of food items at your disposal. Want a single head of romaine or red leaf lettuce? Or a bunch of sage? They’ll go out back and get it for you. Retail hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday. Information: 423-5116, www.andysproducecny.com.
• Syracuse Real Food Co-Op:
The Co-Op has longstanding relationships with farmers and producers like Harvest Home Organics, in Moravia; Cobblestone Valley Farm, in Preble; and Wake Robin Farm, Jordan. It also has a great selection of local and regional cheeses and breads from Pastabilities and other local bakers. You don’t have to be a member to shop there. The Co-Op is at 618 Kensington Road, Syracuse. Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Sunday. Information: 472-1385; http://syracuserealfood.coop/
• Central New York Regional Market:
The Thursday edition of the market carries on somewhat quietly, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., until the week before Thanksgiving. You’ll find vendors with local produce, vendors with out-of-state produce (celery, citrus, you name it) and vendors offering baked goods, cheese, eggs, homemade fudge and Middle Eastern food. As the weather turns cooler, the turnout of vendors tends to dwindle. Meanwhile, the ever-popular Saturday Farmers Market is offered 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., year-round. The market is at 2100 Park St., Syracuse. Information: 422-8647; http://cnyrma.com/.
Speaking of farmers markets: There are a growing number of winter farmers markets sprouting in Central New York. We’ll tell you more about those in coming weeks.
Margaret McCormick is a freelance writer and editor in Syracuse. She blogs about food at eatfirst.typepad.com. Follow her on Twitter at @mmccormickcny.