Category Archives: Ithaca Farmers’ Market 5/7/16

A Taste of Ithaca

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For my last rose scholar event, I went to the farmer’s market, as it was one of the first things I did when coming to campus last semester. The farmer’s market showcases the eclectic nature of Ithaca and gives small business owners a platform to sell their goods. I love going to the farmer’s market and seeing all the new products the vendors have to sell. Additionally, something about being on the water, with musicians playing in the background, and the rustic feel of the market place, makes the farmer’s market one of the most relaxing places I’ve been in Ithaca.

My favorite part of the farmer’s market has to be all the hot food that’s available. It’s incredibly hard to decide where to eat! I also love looking around the jewelry shops and seeing how the vendors make their product. The passion that the vendors have towards their work really is admirable. The honey vendor knows everything about bees and the honey process, and the soap makers will tell you the exact scent that’ll make you feel relaxed. In addition to the atmosphere, another one of my favorite parts about the farmer’s market is talking to the vendors. Whether its about Ithaca, their products, school, or life, they always have a unique input. The farmer’s market is a facet of Ithaca that really embodies a lot of character, and I plan to return many more times in the future!

Money Well Spent

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My friend Deborah, from Massachusetts, came to visit the weekend of this trip. I’d been to the market before, however, this was the first time with company I knew. We did a lot of browsing, I imagine given the vending prices, most college students do. I do want to confirm, however, that there are cost-friendly ways to enjoy the Farmer’s Market, especially when you can split costs with a friend. Both of us bought from the Cuban vendor and shared cotton candy, so that we could buy more later. Deborah bought a necklace and donuts for us both, and so I can say definitively that coming with a friend is a better experience than being solo. Especially since a few hours, moreover, a weekend of uninterrupted of quality time is not usual here or otherwise, so it was appreciated. I’m looking forward to trying the market’s maple cookies and grabbing some food from the Ethiopian food vendor in my next three years, as well as getting a job so I can leave with some snacks for home. After leaving, I was well-fed, a little more broke, but I also had a good roll of photos, some of my best. I’ve shared three below:

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Although urban areas offer a lot of things to do, my friend and I both agreed that our markets—maybe—don’t compare to the one here. Boston markets are great, in fact, they host my favorite donut place and are in the middle of some of my favorite squares, but they don’t necessarily offer the diversity in crafts that this one does. A bit different from other markets I’m used to, Ithaca Market isn’t crowded with other shops or some hole in the “hustle and bustle” of the city. It’s a nice place to get away from college life, which I really needed to do, and to spend money well and healthily. So five star grapes out of five star grapes.

Nutella Crepes and Good Company

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I’ve been to the Farmer’s Market at least a dozen times, but each time is a treat. Joining a group from Rose, I ventured down to Cayuga Lake on a chilly, yet sunny Saturday morning. The usual local vendors were present, selling everything from fresh vegetables to hand-made jewelry to flavored honey. The fact that everything at the Farmer’s Market was made within 30 miles really puts emphasis on the down-to-earth and sustainable living aspect of the market. It’s also a great way of presenting Ithaca’s unique flavor. The beautiful wooden pavilion strung with fairy lights and the dock by the water make this one of Ithaca’s most charming destinations, in my opinion.

After looking around for a while and buying a strawberry and Nutella crepe (highly recommended), I wandered over to the dock where I spent time getting to better know people in Rose who I lived close to the whole year but never had a long conversation with. It was definitely nice to get off campus for a while and put some distance between us and all the stress.

Below are some pictures of this lovely excursion.

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Ithaca’s Premier Farmers Market

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Who knew we had such a renowned farmer’s market right here at Ithaca? I went on this trip simply as a study break, but I ended up having more fun than I had imagined. The food, the music, the people! It was all so pleasant that I lost track of time and I didn’t want to leave.

My first stop was the Swamp Road Baskets! I looking at the baskets with my friend, and I remember gasping at the price because a small basket was $165. We were both surprised and wondered what kind of person would pay that much for a simple basket, but I argued that it’s possible that it’s very good material and it’s the work of a master craftsman. My friend thought it was unlikely. However, when we watched the craftsman (we later learned his name was Jamin Uticone) work on a basket, we saw how skilled he was and my friend and I both thought, “I want a basket now.” How ironic!

We also passed by the stall with the Apple Donuts! We enjoyed a conversation with the stall owner before buying some apple donuts from him. I personally don’t like cinnamon, but when I tried these donuts, they were amazing! We’re planning on going back next week for more 🙂 We also ended up buying 2 goose eggs and a half dozen duck eggs. Prior to purchasing them, I didn’t know that they were richer in texture and flavor, so when we cooked them later that night, I was pleasantly surprised. The goose egg was GIGANTIC! (In the picture, you can see the difference in size between a duck egg, which is slightly larger than a hen’s egg, and the goose egg!)

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The Ithaca Farmers’ Market was such a great experience; I’ve heard that people from across the country come to Ithaca for the Farmers’ Market. I loved the atmosphere there, and I realize how blessed we are to have the Farmers’ Market so accessible to us.

A Time to Reflect and Project

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I’ve been to the Ithaca Farmers Market before but this time, it felt different. Surrounded by two of my closest friends, it started to dawn on me. This was one of the last moments I would have with them for quite some time. Sprinkled across the country for the summer and spread around the world in the throughout  the next academic year, we will only be together again the Fall of our senior year.

While we took the time to reflect on the year, as well as project how years to come will be, we spent the majority of time in the present – enjoying the winds breeze and rays of sun. As we walked past vendors and enjoyed our (food you could buy), I couldn’t help but think about how this year was been one of the most trying – emotionally and physically – that I’ve probably ever had. And it really was the kindness, grace and laughter of my friends that provided me the space to feel awkward, joyous, sad, and comfortable with the young woman I felt myself becoming.

Oddly enough, Ithaca had become my home and has played a large role in my personal development. I never imagined that a place that seemed so “small town”  would grow on me. But as I talked with farmers and heard their stories, they felt like my people. But I can’t even fathom the amount of new people I will be meeting this summer and in abroad in Europe this coming fall. If they are anything like the people I’ve encountered in my two years at Cornell, I should be good.

If the world has taught me one thing, its: to stop asking why me, and begin accepting my life as the divine, complex and beautiful exception that it is.

Morning at the Farmer’s Market

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The Farmer’s market is one of the hottest spots in Ithaca Saturday morning. By the time we got there at 11 (which for any college student is early), it was already packed with people. The weather was beautiful and college students, vendors, and other Ithacans filled the earthy, rustic-looking farmers market. It was nice to get a sense of community and interact with other people. There really is a lot to do in Ithaca outside of Cornell and I was grateful for the chance to head over to the farmer’s market through Rose Scholars.

Walking through the farmer’s market from end to end, I realized the variety of vendors at the market. There were bakeries with delicious homemade goodies, farmers with some fresh vegetables, infamous apple cider donuts, homemade jewelry vendors, and even wine and hard cider vendors. The culmination of these vendors represent what the local Ithacans are all about. It highlights the creativity of the people through the unique homemade plates and jewelry. It highlights how environmentally friendly people are through the vegetable stands. Lastly, it highlights the diversity of people through the different food vendors from a Cuban vendor, to a gyro vendor to an Ethiopian stand.

I thought the Farmer’s market was a great trip to take to relax and really enjoy the last few weeks left in Ithaca until summer.