Boonville Farmer's Market

The last time I went to the Boonville Farmer's Market, it was a dreary day in October.  There were not that many vendors and aside from the sweet corn, I was not impressed with the produce selection.  The market was then located on Main Street and Route 12 behind the Nice N Easy.

February 2013 saw a suspicious fire which totally destroyed a century-old building at the site of the farmer's market.  The 2 1/2-story village storage barn was used as a warming hut for the village skating rink.  Destroyed during the fire were all of the skates for the skating rink and 17 brand new canoes donated by the Black River Environmental Improvement Association (BREIA) as well as some historical artifacts from the Black River Canal Museum . The farmers market lost all its equipment and supplies among which were some tents, a stereo sound system, billboards, signs and banners, all new gas grill, refrigerator/freezer and 2 picnic tables.  Despite the devastating loss, the farmer's market was able to move to the Boonville Fairgrounds and open the 2013 season on time. 

Now on its fifth year, the Boonville Farmers Market is open every Thursday noon to 6pm from June to October.  Only vendors from Oneida and Lewis counties are allowed to sell in the market. When my husband and I visited last Thursday. there were about 12 vendors with products consisting of cheeses, tea, bread, pies, herbs and some potted plants, and even some clothes.  Aside from some strawberries, rhubarb, lettuce, there were not that many fresh produce.  But then  again, it was only the middle of June.

We found an early favorite in Creative Shepherd Farm from Ava NY.  It was interesting to listen to farmer/owner Sebastian Interlandi as he enthusiastically explained how he made the products that were displayed.  After trying his samples, we bought the roasted garlic and herb cheese and the strawberry rhubarb jam.  He said he makes regular trips to Ecuador to buy the raw sugar he uses for all his jams which he also sells to the public.  I looked so disappointed when he had ran out of the ginger-flavored cheese that he generously allowed me to take home the sample bottle. What a great guy!

From the Cranberry Ridge Farm Bakery of Williamstown NY, we got a garlic baguette to go with the cheeses we just got.  And then a raspberry pie from another baker.

Savoring our purchases back home, we made a vow to return to the farmer's market in the near future.




Sources:
Boonville Farmer's Market: Local Harvest
Fire ravages Boonville Farmers Market Site: Watertown Daily Times
One of a kind historical artifacts destroyed in Boonville Fire: WKTV

Market, museum, lose equipment, artifacts: Rome Sentinel

100-year-old building, skates, canoes destroyed in Boonville fire:UticaOD.com