The harvest has officially hit the heart of the city. Dozens of local growers and makers have returned to Clinton Square to kick off the 54th season of the Downtown Syracuse Farmers Market, bringing everything from fresh-cut flowers to crisp vegetables.
For the farmers setting up their tents each week, the draw of the market comes down to unbeatable quality and transparency.
Jim Maryinuk has been selling crops from his Palermo farm in the exact same spot in Clinton Square for over 40 years.
"My asparagus, it's not 12 hours old yet. I just cut it yesterday afternoon," Maryinuk said.
He noted that buying local means knowing exactly what goes into your food, contrasting his crops with imported produce that spends days on a truck.
“Some of the country's farmers don't even have EPA standards, so you don't even know what they're spraying on them," Maryinuk said. "It's very important for folks to come to the local farmers market and buy local.”
Other vendors echo the sentiment that the weekly event goes far beyond making sales. Richard Schuler sells natural and infused honeys from his apiary in Kirkville. He sees the market as an opportunity for city residents to build a real connection with the region's agriculture.
"You're supporting local businesses, but also you get to see what's out there, what's growing," Schuler said. "They can go out and visit the farms... and interact with the animals or the bees. So much you don't get stung."
The market's offerings caters to a wide variety of dietary needs and lifestyles.
At Awa's Petit Four, baker Awa Diop sells completely homemade sourdough bread and cookies. She emphasizes the benefits of her organic, preservative-free ingredients over mass-produced alternatives.
"It's healthier than the bread that you buy at the grocery store that sits on a shelf for days," Diop said.
For vendors like Amelia Wasiluk, who’s been selling her signature nutrient-dense avocado salsa dip for over two decades, the market serves as a vital community link.
"You're helping the community stay connected and source from local growers, local producers. I think it's very important," Wasiluk said.
Even four-legged residents have a reason to visit. Hannah Kalabanka, representing Carm's Dog House, sells all-natural, hypoallergenic dog treats made from ingredients like pumpkin, peanut butter, and rice flour.
"There's control over the ingredients," Kalabanka noted, pointing out that their treats are strictly human-grade. "You can eat them if you want. I mean, I've tried them."
The market will see around 40 different vendors throughout the season. Chuck McFadden, Director of Operations at Syracuse’s Downtown Committee, says the group is hoping to make the city more lively.
"We want to make people that live, work, and play downtow to have an experience that they keep wanting to come back to, not just for the farmer's market, but for all of downtown," McFadden said, “Adding entertainment and everything we do, we want to make an enjoyable experience for them."
Plan Your Visit:
Location: Clinton Square, Downtown Syracuse
When: Every Tuesday through October 13th
Time: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The market is open to the public and runs rain or shine.
