Becoming Acquainted with Your Local Farmers & Producers
Because you CAN know where at least some of your food comes from
Where does your food come from? Where did it originate? The recent outbreak of cyclospora across several states, may have you pondering this question more than usual. While the source continues to be debated, I feel that this is the perfect time to restate a case for eating local and in-season.
If you have been following my blog for some time, you have already seen me advocate for buying direct from local farmers, at farmer’s markets, or farm stands and stores. Not only does doing so help support our local farmers and strengthen the local economy, but it cuts out that guess work mentioned above. As an added bonus, you should find that local and in-season tastes better too.
I want to share some resources that I have shared before, but first, I want to share a new one that I just love. It is only for Erie County, but Erie Grown, includes a producer directory, allows you to search by product, and provides the season the product can be found locally. Below are some additional resources.
Every Farmers Market in Western New York 2026: Dates, Locations, and Hours by Step Out Buffalo
Find Your Farmer in Western New York Facebook Groups - search listings of available products by local farmers and producers, or post what you are looking for and let the community direct you to resources
Find Food by FeedMore WNY - find farmers markets, food pantries, mobile pantries and programs providing home-delivered meals for homebound older adults and individuals living with a disability
Many food items are available for purchase locally including proteins such as beef, pork, chicken, turkey, lamb, and goat. Local eggs are plentiful. Western NY is rich with local fruit including apples, pears, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, melons, and stone fruits. Other in-season, local produce includes tomatoes, carrots, beans, beets, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, squashes, lettuce, kale, spinach, microgreens, pumpkins, peppers, potatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs. We have local dairy available, cultivators of mushrooms, growers of grain, harvesters of honey, and sugar shacks suppling us with local maple syrup. We may not be able to buy everything locally, but we sure have a solid supply enabling us to feature local foods in the majority of our meals.
Below, are just some of my posts featuring local farmers, producers, and products.
