Shopping at the Market

Schenectady Greenmarket connects farm and city to create a responsible, sustainable food system–right in the heart of downtown. Each Sunday from 10am—2pm, vendors, shoppers, musicians, and friends gather to purchase fresh local produce and artisan goods in a festive community marketplace.

Our outdoor market is located around Schenectady City Hall from May through October, and the winter market is located inside Proctors from November through April. Both markets have more than seventy local vendors who produce everything they sell. EBT, credit and debit cards accepted.

While we encourage you to explore the outdoor and winter markets in person, if you’re new and overwhelmed, the following tools can help you get a sense of our offerings and set-up.

Explore the outdoor market (virtually):

mapoutdoor vendorsearchoutdoor

Explore the winter market (virtually)

mapwinter vendorsearchwinter

Five tips to get the most out of your visit to a farmers market:

Are you new to farmer’s markets? Check out these tips from our Market Manager Jennifer Jennings.

  1. Ask questionsOne of the great things about a farmers market is that you can talk directly to the growers and makers. You may be unfamiliar with some items you find at the market, especially in the winter, like beets, delicata squash or celeriac. Farmers are enthusiastic and happy to share descriptions of their produce, recipe suggestions and overall tips on how to incorporate the vegetable into your menu.
  2. TastePart of the joy a farmers market holds is the opportunity to sample items. Cheese, wine and other vendors have samples out for you to savor and experience. Do you like sheep milk cheese or goat milk cheese or both? Do you like Stracciatella (fresh mozzarella in cream) or do you prefer the prosciutto wrapped mozzarella? These items, among so many others, are at your fingertips when you come to a farmers market.
  3. Take timeLike brands in the grocery store every farmer’s product is different. Every vendor has his or her own practices and personal approach to growing or making your food. You may need to shop from a variety of vendors and cook an assortment of things before you feel like you are in a groove. Do you like the carrots from Cornell Farm or Migliorelli? Do you like the meat from Mariaville Farm or Sweet Tree Farm? Take some time and figure out what you really like. Some vendors have grass fed, grass finished beef and others have grass fed, grain finished – What does that mean? What do you prefer? I used to work for a grass fed, grass finished beef farm and I can honestly tell you no matter how many times I ate it, I wasn’t a big fan. I prefer grass fed, grain finished beef. But I wouldn’t know that if I hadn’t taken the time to try both.
  4. You can afford local foodLarge farmers markets have a variety of vendors offering a range of prices so that everyone can walk away with amazing local food. Most established markets accept EBT or SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) so if you are on a limited income you can still get fresh food. Farmers markets aren’t only for the foodies and gourmets – they are here for everyone to experience and enjoy. Farmers markets work with the seasons and so do their prices. When you begin to purchase food in season, from a local grower you realize not only are your food options delicious, they are also really affordable.
  5. Get the big pictureFarmers markets are full of people chatting, listening to music, catching up with vendors and milling around looking over items. It can be a little intimidating if you haven’t been before. They are completely different than the solitary experience of the grocery store. My suggestion would be to walk through the market for a while observing so that you get acclimated with the environment. Trust me, no one is going to think you’re strange if they see you pass by their stall three or four times as you take it all in. Many regular customers walk through once before purchasing anything just to see what is in season or new.