By Josh Liepper (Syracuse, NY)-
The holiday season is coming into full swing at the CNY Regional Market. Pumpkins are being sold for Halloween and people are even buying squash to start their Thanksgiving plans.
Vendors and farmers have been interested in learning about crops from other cultures as they transition into the new season. The sale of these new cultural crops will be coming soon as farmers make the transition from one farming season to the next.
With the winter approaching, most of these crops are not available. Vegetables, dairy products and more will still be available. However, the under-the-radar crops like Brussel sprouts and various greens will become more available to buyers.
However, the same, old trends continue to dominate and people don’t end up exposing themselves to different crops.
Jessica Hahn, a vendor at the CNY Regional Market, says a trend always meets its end.
“When a trend of a certain produce item is going on for a couple of months, then we start to think about how we can sell that crop,” Hahn explained.
Derek Blackburn, a greenhouse grower, says that “some people just choose to go with the same route in buying their crops.”
There is another side though. Some are more diverse than others. Blackburn says he’s learned a lot about different cultures like the Lebanese culture. His friend is from Jordan and has kept in touch with Blackburn about the different squashes and other crops that the Lebanese people enjoy.
“When I find out the different crops that him and his people like, I look to try and grow them,” Blackburn says.
“I like thinking about different cultures and different ways I could grow crops,” another vendor said.
“We don’t have any new cultural crops to sell just yet, but we will be getting red and green peppers from Sicily soon,” Hahn said.
From May to November, the Central New York Regional Market is open on Thursdays and unless there is a major holiday, the market is always open on Saturdays which is their busiest day.
