Buying Local 

There is a growing movement among consumers for purchasing fruits, vegetables, and meats from local farms. There are many opportunities to purchase locally grown and produced products in Broome County . Several options are listed below. For more information, please feel free to contact those listed as contacts within each of the options, or Laura Biasillo at Cornell Cooperative Extension (607) 584-5007. 

Farmers' Markets

There are currently six Farmers' Markets operating in Broome County. For days and hours of operation, please check our events calendar, or the “Literature” section of the website. The Farmers' Markets are an opportunity for local growers and producers to sell to the general public. The markets are also a chance for the general public to purchase locally grown, more nutritious, fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs and baked goods. Many times the products are organically certified or naturally produced. Most of the markets are located in urban corridors of Broome County . For more information on Farmers' Markets, including how to become a vendor, please contact Laura Biasillo at (607) 584-5007 or lw257@cornell.edu.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA's, is an innovative approach to providing a season's worth of fruits and vegetables, and sometimes meats, to a consumer. The consumer pays a set price in advance of the growing season. This guarantees a weekly supply of what the farm produces. This option offers a means of survival for smaller farms by easing their financial burdens with early payment for their products. A CSA also helps farmers get a better handle on their market and they may also grow a wider range of crops. Many CSA farms will also participate in Farmers' Markets to sell their excess products. To find a CSA near you, please visit the “Literature” section of this website, or contact Laura Biasillo at (607) 584-5007 or lw257@cornell.edu.

Direct from the Farm Meats

Many consumers have chosen to purchase their meats from a local farmer. There are many reasons for this, including the choice of organic, grassfed/pastured, and/or naturally raised meats. The ability to purchase meats packaged similar to those in a traditional grocery store, that has also no been transported long distances and has experienced humane care is a great selling point for local meat producers. Consumers can purchase many different types of meat from producers in Broome County and surrounding regions, including beef, lamb, goat, pork, rabbit, turkey, duck, and chicken. To find a farmer near you selling meat products, please visit the “Literature” or “Agri-tourism” sections of the website, or contact Biasillo at (607) 584-5007 or lw257@cornell.edu.

U-pick

U-pick is a great way to involve your family in purchasing locally grown fruit. There are farms in Broome County which produce strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and apples. U-pick is also a great option for those people that would like to purchase large quantities of fruit for use in freezing or processing into jams, jellies or fillings. For a listing of U-pick farms in Broome County , please visit the “Agri-tourism” section of the website, or contact Laura Biasillo at (607) 584-5007 or lw257@cornell.edu.