Cazenovians love their local farmers market so much that they want it available more than once a month. So two local entrepreneurs have created a second farmers market that will host its inaugural market on Saturday, Dec. 6, in the showroom of Cazenovia Cutblock on Route 20 East.
“The Cazenovia Farmers Market this past Saturday [at the American Legion] was very well attended [but] people are asking, ‘Where else can we get this stuff? Once a month is not enough.’ So Jasmeen Barnes, or Rise bread makers, and I decided to do one here,” said Mackenzie Hughes Houseman, of Cazenovia Cutblock.
The 20/East Farmers Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first Saturday of each month. The current list of vendors includes: Cazenovia Cutblock, Rise bread makers, Kremhild Butter, Drover Hill Farm, Mountain Grown Farm, Owera Vineyards, Life of Reilley Distilling and Wine Co., Spruce Ridge Landscape and Design, Zimmer’s Bakes, Dizzy Lizzy, Creekside Farms and Hartwood Farms.
“We cover every base — everything people need to eat locally throughout the winter, and of course handmade gifts,” Houseman said.
The 20/E Farmers Market is separate from, and not affiliated with, the Cazenovia Winter Farmers Market, which occurs the third Saturday of each month at the Cazenovia American Legion on Chenango Street.
Houseman said she talked with Aileen Randolph, the manager of the Cazenovia Winter Farmers Market, to get advice on how to create her new market but also to avoid any conflicts.
“I didn’t want to step on any toes,” Houseman said. “She’s made this market grow by leaps and bounds. She had no problem with us doing this because the markets will be two weeks apart. Basically people in town can get their local food twice a month.”
The differences between the two farmers markets will be few, Houseman said. The Cazenovia Cutblock showroom is smaller than the American Legion, which will make for a “cozier” atmosphere, she said. There will also be music playing.
The majority of the vendors set to appear at the Dec. 6 20/East Farmers Market all currently participate in the Cazenovia Winter Farmers Market, except for Owera Vineyards and Life of Reilley Distilling and Wine Co., Houseman said. She said they do have room to grow if the market is a success, and are willing to add more vendors or alternate vendors if the opportunity arises.
The new 20/E Farmers Market will occur all winter, from December through April.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
