Sustainability Recipe: How to Farmers' Market Like a Boss

Campus Sustainability Office April 23, 2025

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Sustainability Life Recipes provide practical tips to go green and save green. Each recipe features strategies that save money while protecting the environment and contributing to good jobs for people in our community.

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Produced in collaboration with (formerly) Get Your GreenBack Tompkins


Here in Ithaca, we are blessed with dozens of local farmers in our area! For fresh produce and sustainable shopping opportunities, the Farmers' Market has your back. Get ready, grab your reusable bag, and go to a market near you!

Farmers' Market in the Community

Beyond our campus, Ithaca is brimming with chances to go to the Farmer’s Market and eat healthy, delicious foods while supporting local businesses. Wide-ranging stalls offer Cuban street food, local wines, homemade ice cream, fresh baked pastries, handcrafted jewelry, and dozens more. The Ithaca Farmer’s Market has been cultivating earth and community since 1973. Browse their list of locations and hours below.

Local Markets and Their Hours

1.      Steamboat Landing, 545 Third St.

  • Saturdays April through October, from 9am to 3pm
  • Saturdays November and December, from 10am to 2pm
  • Sundays April through October, from 10am to 3pm
  • Sundays November and December, from 10am to 2pm

2.      Dewitt Park, N. Cayuga St. and E. Buffalo St. Corner

  • Tuesdays April through October, from 9am to 2pm

3.      East Hill Plaza, 380 Pine Tree Rd.

  • Wednesdays April through October, from 4 to 7pm

4.      Winter Market, 2255 N. Triphammer Rd.

  • Saturdays January through March, from 10:30am to 2pm

Top Reasons to Shop at the Farmers' Market

Strengthen our local economy by supporting good jobs for people in our community. Eat delicious, fresh food pulled straight from the Earth – no chemicals, no packaging. Enjoy being a part of a warm and caring community.

Pro tip: Reference this New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets calendar to figure out what’s in season. An accessible calendar is below.

Fruit & Vegetable Availability Calendar

Vegetables

Availability Period

AsparagusMay 1 – June 25
Beans, DryAll year
Beans, LimaSeptember 1 – November 1
Beans, SnapJuly 1 – November 1
BeetsJune 1 – March 1
Beet GreensMay 1 – October 1
BroccoliJune 1 – December 1
Brussel SproutsSeptember 1 – December 1
CabbageJune 10 – April 1
CarrotsJuly 1 – April 10
CauliflowerAugust 15 – December 1
CeleryAugust 15 – November 10
Collard GreensJuly 1 – January 1
CornAugust 15 – November 15
CucumberAugust 15 – November 15
EggplantAugust 20 – November 20
GarlicJune 1 – December 1
HerbsAll year
KaleSeptember 1 – December 1
LeeksAugust 1 – January 1
LettuceMay 1 – October 20
Mustard GreensJune 1 – December 1
OnionsAll year
ParsnipsOctober 1 – June 1
PeasJune 1 – August 1, and Sept 1 – Nov 1
PeppersJuly 1 – October 10
PotatoesAll year
PumpkinsSeptember 1 – December 1
RadishesMay 1 – October 1
RhubarbMay 1 – August 1
SpinachMay 1 – October 20
Squash, SummerJune 1 – October 10
Squash, WinterAugust 1 – March 1
Swiss ChardJune 1 – November 1
TomatoesJune 20 – November 1
TurnipsAugust 1 – May 1
Turnip GreensMay 1 – September 1
ZucchiniJune 1 – October 15

Fruits

Availability Period

ApplesAll year
BlackberriesAugust 1 – October 1
BlueberriesJuly 15 – October 1
CantaloupesAugust 1 – October 1
Cherries, SweetJune 20 – August 1
Cherries, TartJuly 1 – August 1
CurrantsAugust 1 – September 1
GrapesAugust 15 – November 1
PeachesJuly 1 – September 20
PearsAugust 10 – March 1
PlumsJuly 1 – October 1
RaspberriesJuly 1 – July 20, and Sept 1 – Nov 1
StrawberriesJune 1 – August 1
WatermelonSeptember 1 – November 1

Originally posted July 2018, updated July 2023