Ithaca Farmers Market returns to Steamboat Landing

The Ithaca Farmers Market (IFM) has returned to the pavilion at Steamboat Landing for the 2021 outdoor season. The outdoor market made its Saturday return April 3, while Sundays will resume May 2. This transition follows a successful winter season at Triphammer Marketplace, one that included the launch of an online marketplace that boasts a seamless shopping experience, robust product offerings and contactless pickup.

Unlike last year’s abrupt and smaller return to Steamboat, 2021’s outdoor season began on its usual schedule with a full slate of agricultural, artisan and food vendors on site. Patrons can expect to see a variety of farm and food products such as meat, cheese, eggs, vegetables, fruit, honey, jelly, bread, wine, cider, baked goods, plants and soap, as well as the best prepared food and art from within a 30-mile radius.

Market Manager Kelly Sauvé is happy to be back at the lake and thrilled to welcome customers both old and new. She encourages people to stop by the office to browse a new selection of IFM-branded merchandise, pick up EBT tokens, grab an IFM coloring sheet or just say hello.

“I was hired during COVID, which was an interesting time to start,” Sauvé said. “The Market has an awesome local customer base, and I see a lot of familiar faces, but I know there will be new faces as people become more comfortable coming out.”

Masks and social distancing aren’t yet a thing of the past, so shopping at IFM will still look a bit different from past years.

“There may be lines to get into the pavilion as we monitor capacity, but they move quickly,” Sauvé said. “The silver lining is that there is more space to shop. You may see things you never noticed before when it was elbow-to-elbow.”

Customers should shop for groceries and art first, saving their prepared food and drink purchases for the end of their visit. Grocery lists and shopping plans can be made by visiting the weekly vendor listing on IFM’s website (ithacamarket.com) or social media. A full list of COVID-19 safety requirements will be posted online and at the pavilion. Welcoming staff members are present to guide customers through the new procedures.

Those visiting IFM solely for a snack can order from the back of the booth without waiting to enter the pavilion, and all food and drink pickup will take place in designated areas outside. While eating and drinking is prohibited inside the pavilion, safely spaced tables will be available on the waterfront for enjoying goodies with your pod.

“We are so happy to have Mama Said Hand Pies back this year, conveniently located right next to our newest vendor Mojo’s Hot Sauce,” Sauvé said. “You can choose your favorite flavor of hot sauce, get your hand pies and take them home or to an outdoor table to enjoy!”

Other new food offerings this year include Vonnie’s Kitchen, a Dominican restaurant, and a variety of mushrooms from Sapwood.

“These log-grown shiitakes and blue oyster varieties will make even picky eaters love mushrooms,” Sauvé said. “Sauteed with butter and garlic, even my kids like them!”

For those who are keen to continue shopping from the comforts of home, the online marketplace will continue. Customers can shop online from Monday through Thursday and pick up orders on Saturday afternoons between noon and 3 p.m. at the new distribution site outside the Department of Motor Vehicles on Third Street. Online shoppers are encouraged to check the site often for newly added products and vendors.

“We want to change the perception that the Market is just for tourists and make it more affordable and accessible for everyone,” Sauvé said. “For example, many people don’t know that they can extend their EBT benefits by 40% at the Market. By taking advantage of an NYS nutritional incentive program, we give out $2 in tokens for every $5 in EBT funds spent.”

As an essential service, IFM was able to remain open throughout 2020, and Sauvé is grateful to the loyal customers who stood by them. Still, she said, COVID has taken a toll and diverted time and energy from IFM’s long-term goals.

“We are getting there — there is light — but we’re not quite there yet,” Sauvé said. “I would ask people to hold with us just a little bit longer. There are bigger and better things coming for the Market going forward.”

One of the irons in the fire is an upcoming renovation project — still in the early stages. Executive Director Anton Burkett said the Market received a $400,000 grant from New York state to cover architecture and engineering fees to prepare the site for construction of a new parking lot and pavilion.

“We will be collecting feedback from customers, vendors and the greater Ithaca community over the next few months,” Burkett said. “The Project Advisory Committee will incorporate that feedback into the designs. We want to maintain the Market’s iconic presence as part of the developing waterfront neighborhood.”

IFM is also putting the finishing touches on a five-year plan and is in the process of forming a nonprofit, Friends of the Market, according to Burkett.

“The Friends group will amplify the food security work done at the Market and take on some arts education,” Burkett said. “Another focus will be business incubation, helping businesses grow beyond the Market.”

An educator by trade, Sauvé is excited about the future and envisions IFM becoming a vibrant public space on more than just market days.

“We have amazing vendors who have all kinds of skills they could share with the community,” Sauvé said. “Coupled with the infrastructure improvements, I can see this place becoming an inclusive community hub where people gather in meaningful ways.”

Want to learn more? Visit IFM’s website at ithacamarket.com or follow it on Facebook or Instagram.