The Catskills are a breathtaking expanse of wooded mountains and valleys, where some of the idyllic and historic small towns of New York State are still standing tall. If you love nature, beautiful scenery, and charming communities, this area will surely resonate with you.
To get an authentic experience of the Catskills lifestyle, try stopping by a local farmers’ market. You’ll be supporting local commerce while enjoying the freshest and finest local foods along with various crafts and artisan goods. In addition to community farmers’ markets, the Catskills boast numerous independent farms with their own markets that offer a bountiful array of local goods. You can also pick your own produce at several of these locations.
Whether you’re vacationing in the mountains or exploring Catskills real estate, check out the following local farmers’ markets to bring home a little bit of the mountains with you.
1. Coxsackie Farmers’ Market
A quality farmers’ market isn’t just a place to stop for fresh produce; it’s a place for the community to join together, eat, and enjoy entertainment along with their fruits, veggies, and local goods. Every Wednesday afternoon from late May to October, head to Coxsackie Riverside Park on Betke Boulevard for the Coxsackie Farmers’ Market. Here, you’ll find fresh produce, food trucks, local craft beer, and other assorted goods. You can even jam along to live music as you peruse the offerings.
2. Lexington Farmers’ Market
Under the shade of the pavilion at the Municipal Building on Route 42, you will find the Lexington Farmers’ Market. This impressive market serves as a unique point of convergence for the local community, showcasing an array of top-tier goods from the surrounding area. You will find farm fresh produce and meats, as well as crafts, demos, and musical performances. The Lexington Farmers’ Market is held every other Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. starting in late May and lasting until the Fall.
3. Fromer Market Gardens Farmers’ Market
Located at 6120 Main Street in Tannersville, the Fromer Market Gardens Farmers’ Market is a bustling event, supplying visitors with fresh organic produce and various other finely crafted local goods, including handmade jewelry and body products. With offerings from local vendors and regional farm stands, including Story Farms, Yellow Bell Farms, Albano Farms, Haines Farm, Hoofprint Cheese Co., and many more, this beloved event is a true mainstay of the region. Fromer Market Gardens is open all year on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., making this unique market the perfect one to check out.
4. Catskill Farmers’ Market
The Catskill Farmers’ Market brings together various small farms from throughout the Catskills, as well as beekeepers, flower vendors, bakers, and more. There’s even great coffee to be found! This fantastic market takes place from May 28th through October 29th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 145 Water Street in the town of Catskill. The market is open for single-day guest vendors, community tents, food trucks, and food pop-ups, so you never know what you’ll find here.
5. Stoneledge Farm
In addition to sampling goods from a variety of farms at different Catskills farmers’ markets, you can find numerous individual farms with their own markets to explore. Amidst the foothills of the Northern Catskills is the site of Stoneledge Farm, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm with its own store. This 300-acre, certified organic farm offers amazing produce, fruit, mushrooms, and other products for 22 weeks out of the year. Come see why Stoneledge Farm has been a community favorite for the better part of three decades.
6. Black Horse Farms
For a one-stop country market that’s open seven days a week, stop by Black Horse Farms in Athens, NY. Unlike most of the various farmers’ markets, farm stands, and other country venues in the Catskills, this farm is open every day, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Black Horse Farms offers both conventional and organic produce, as well as maple syrup, honey, baked goods, and gourmet foods. You can find a variety of other goods to take home, including annual and perennial flowers, plants, garden items, pots, gifts, and more.
7. Story Farms
Story Farms in Catskill, NY, is a beloved farm stand with daily fresh offerings of produce and fruits, in addition to honey, maple syrup, flowers, and hay. You can also pick your own strawberries and peas at Story Farms. This is an excellent stop for a quick, convenient, and fresh sampling of local goods, open every day from June through November.
8. Maple Hill Farms
Maple Hill Farms in Prattsville, NY, is your one-stop farm stand for country confections and a strong sense of community. Here, you can enjoy fresh honey, maple syrup, farm preserves, cream, and an assortment of candies all year round. It’s a great opportunity to try maple sugar candy if you haven’t before.
9. Black Walnut Farm
Amidst the many markets and farms of the Catskills, you’ll find opportunities to get up close and personal with local agriculture. Black Walnut Farm in Cornwallville, NY, offers organic, fresh, and flavorful vegetables and berries. You can also pick your own berries in the farm’s berry patch or cut your own flowers to take home to a loved one. Those who call ahead can also take a tour of the farm and see its day-to-day operations.
10. Bulich’s Creekside Farm
Rounding out this list of favorite markets is Bulich’s Creekside Farms in Leeds, NY. Here, you’ll find an array of fresh vegetables, sweet corn, fruit, berries, horticultural plants, flowers, and more. The farm is open from June to October from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Stop by to see what’s in store and find something unique!
Exploring the Catskills further
If you love lofty mountains, rustic scenery, and the down-home community feeling that the Catskills offers, this area could be the perfect place for your next home. Catskills real estate spans a variety of beautiful properties, from single-family homes to rustic farms and sprawling country estates.
If this sounds like the perfect fit, team up with Joseph Satto, a trusted real estate agent who specializes in the Upstate New York and Catskills region. By working with Joseph and Fresh Air Realty, you can expect only the best in dedication, resourcefulness, and expertise. Reach out today to begin.
If this sounds like the perfect fit, team up with Joseph Satto, a trusted real estate agent who specializes in the Upstate New York and Catskills region. By working with Joseph and Fresh Air Realty, you can expect only the best in dedication, resourcefulness, and expertise. Reach out today to begin.