The Ithaca Farmer’s Market- as ‘local’ as you can get. No chains or multinationals- just farmers and artisans within a 30 mile radius that want to sell their products. The walk is not too long for Cornell students- especially for those living on West. After down the trot down the steep hill and the gorgeous walk through Fall Creek you arrive at the Farmer’s Market- a wonderful structure next to the Cayuga’s Inlet full of nice locals and a lot of visitors.

The Market has not always been located on the Lake- since its opening in 1973 it has moved to several locations, starting from near Agway to the Commons. Its rated as one of the best farmers markets in New York State- and I would not disagree. It has great food, nice vendors, a wide array of options, and a large fan base. I personally tried the Cambodian food- but this was one of the many international cuisine options available.

At the Farmer’s Market there is not just food- there is also art! I was able to talk to Alice Muhlback- a New Jersey artist that now lives in Ithaca. Her work is featured int he Manndible Cafe on the Cornell Campus. She described her work as having a “spiritual tone”. I was able to buy a postcard of a piece (because although its not too expensive, I am on a college student budget), and it titled “Who Are You?”. It features what seems to be the outline of glasses-wearing worm, whose black outline encloses a space with cream colored paint, making it stand out (but not too much) from the blue outline of the painting. It seems to be referencing the iconic worm coming out of an apple, a well known symbol of “studying-ness”. In my interpretation of the work, it seems to be specially relevant to Cornell students- who have the reputation of finding their identity in school work. It seems to be questioning who really are you, are you just a study-er and nothing more? Is there more to you than your GPA?