Buffalo Niagara’s Locally Owned Farms
September 17, 2021

Locally grown produce is abundant in the Buffalo Niagara region. Discover some of the best local farms producing seasonal fruits & veggies.

by Katie Johnson

Bountiful Buffalo Niagara: the region grows a delicious array of seasonal produce every year

Amazing Seasonal Produce

Chicken wings and sponge candy may be synonymous with Buffalo yet our region, Zone 6, produces some of the most wonderful, seasonal fruits and vegetables. While summer for many in Buffalo Niagara is the season to relish in the abundance of our local produce at farmers markets—tomatoes, cherries and plums all ripe for the eating—any season our local farms have amazing produce to be shared.

I use lots of spreadsheets, lots of note taking. You know, always trying to make it better for the next year,” shared Carrie Nader, owner of West Side Tilth Farm, when planning out the crops and rotations for the year.

“We have our field with the two moveable greenhouses outside, it’s like a game of Tetris with the space. We’re planting our onions today to overwinter for spring onions. Right now, the greenhouses are over the peppers and we’re planting the onions outside. Once the peppers come out, we’ll pick up the greenhouse, move it over the onions so in the spring, next year, we’ll have spring onions.”

” … the average piece of produce in the U.S. travels 1,500 miles. In comparison, local food only travels 100 miles or less”

The urban farm on Buffalo’s west side is a staple among the community with its Saturday farmers markets featuring other local vendors and fresh made artisan pizzas, along with a CSA program running June-November each year.

“We strive to be a beautiful space providing people with sustenance, nutrition and that sense of community,” said Nader.

While local can mean a number of different things, whether it’s food grown by someone you know or just produced in your region or state, small growers like the crew at West Side Tilth Farm tend to focus on soil health and sustainable practices so food can benefit both the land and community, as compared to conventional, large-scale agriculture—West Side Tilth importing their own soil and running the farm on as much solar as possible.

We have six solar panels on my house, it doesn’t cover everything but you know we do what we can. We live in the city and you don’t know what structures are there. It was really important to us, to avoid any, any question whatsoever about the soil we decided to bring it in. We’re essentially growing in just a gigantic raised bed.”

Full spectrum of colors at West Side Tilth Farm

According to research at Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, the average piece of produce in the U.S. travels 1,500 miles. In comparison, local food only travels 100 miles or less, allowing it to maintain more of its nutrients in the shorter process. 

“Food nutrition, such a big deal,” elaborated Nader. “Your health really starts with your nutrition, what you put in your body. So if you’re not eating well, you’re not going to feel good. Being able to supply people, especially the folks in our neighborhood (we accept WIC, the farmers market nutrition program checks and take snap) that’s really important for me because I want this to be accessible to everybody. 

Eat What’s In Season

While there are the tried-and-true staples of the region, Nader suggests enjoying and exploring something new to you!

Fall

  • Apples
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Celery
  • Collard greens
  • Corn
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant
  • Endive
  • Fennel
  • Field greens
  • Garlic
  • Grapes
  • Lettuce
  • Mushrooms
  • Parsley
  • Peaches
  • Pumpkins
  • Radicchio
  • Radishes
  • Spinach
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Zucchini

Winter

  • Apples
  • Acorns
  • Beets
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Leeks
  • Onions
  • Parsnips
  • Pears
  • Potatoes
  • Pumpkins
  • Squash (winter)
  • Turnips

Spring 

  • Dandelion greens
  • Chives
  • Thyme
  • Sage
  • Oregano
  • Mint
  • Pea shoots
  • Sorrel
  • Ramps
  • Watercress
  • Asparagus
  • Lettuce

Summer

  • Arugula
  • Cherries
  • Kale
  • Peas
  • Rhubarb
  • Strawberries
  • Rosemary
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries
  • Carrots
  • Cherries
  • Plums
  • Scallions 
  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes
  • Basil
  • Lavender
  • Squash (summer)
  • Swiss Chard
  • Peppers 
  • Shallots

Carrots from Thorpes Organic Family Farm

Find Your Local Farm

Get to know over 30 locally owned farms and their communities around Western NY.
5 Loaves Farm

1172 West Ave, Buffalo, NY 14213

Kelkenberg Farm

9270 Wolcott Rd, Clarence Center, NY 14032

WestSide Tilth Farm

246 Normal Ave, Buffalo, NY 14213

Common Roots Urban Farm

309 Peckham St, Buffalo, NY 14206

Coulter Farms

3871 N Ridge Rd, Lockport, NY 14094

Root Down Farm

850 Shimerville Rd, Clarence Center, NY 14032

Thorpe’s Organic Family Farm

12866 Strykersville Rd, East Aurora, NY 14052

Akron Acres

12607 Stage Rd, Akron, NY 14001

Aldinger Farms, Inc.

390 Ransom Rd, Lancaster, NY 14086

Sanger Farm & Bakery

852 Lockport St, Youngstown, NY 14174

McCollum Orchards, LLC

248 N Adam St, Lockport, NY 14094

Becker Farms

3724 Quaker Rd, Gasport, NY 14067

Paul’s Organic Farm

8213 Center St, Holland, NY 14080

Greg’s U-Pick Farm

9270 Lapp Rd, Clarence Center, NY 14032

Smith’s Orchard Cider Mill

4960 Mapleton Rd, Lockport, NY 14094

Providence Creek Farm

10800 Rapids Rd, Clarence Center, NY 14032

Awald Farms

10692 Walnut St, North Collins, NY 14111

Tioga Valley Farm

7318 NY-240, West Falls, NY 14170

Halmony Farms

4567 Mapleton Rd, Lockport, NY 14094

Kappus Farms, Inc.

6275 Jockey Rd, Burt, NY 14028

The Blueberry Treehouse Farm

1897 Davis Rd, West Falls, NY 14170

LynOaken Farms

10609 Ridge Rd, Medina, NY 14103

Beyers Maple Farm

13884 Schang Rd, East Aurora, NY 14052

Weiss Farms

7828 E Eden Rd, Eden, NY 14057

Wilson Street Urban Farm

Wilson St, Buffalo, NY 14212

Healthy Living Farm

11125 Miland Rd, Akron, NY 14001

Teacup Farm

2284 Johnson Creek Rd, Barker, NY 14012

South Hill Farm

9419 S Hill Rd, Boston, NY 14025

Amos Zittel & Sons Inc

3275 Webster Rd, Eden, NY 14057

Hall’s Apple Farm

6100 Ruhlmann Rd, Lockport, NY 14094

Chestnut Hill Farm

6405 Ward Rd, Orchard Park, NY 14127

Bowman Farms

11259 Gowanda State Rd, North Collins, NY 14111

Local Roots Farm

5328 W Lake Rd, Burt, NY 14028

Porter Farms

5020 Edgerton Rd, Elba, NY 14058

Kindred Kreek Farm

11932 Rapids Rd, Akron, NY 14001

West Wind Fruit Farm

98 Manitou Rd, Hilton, NY 14468

Providence Farm Collective

5701 Burton Road, Orchard Park, NY 14127

Hurtgam Farms

3216 Ridge Road, Ransomville, NY 14131

Tom Tower’s Farm

759 Lockport Street, Youngstown, NY 14174

Seabert Farms

3682 Ridge Road, Ridge Road, Lockport, NY 14094

Singer Farm

6730 Lake Road, Appleton, NY 14008

Blackman Homestead Farm

4472 Thrall Road, Lockport, NY 14094

Fleckenstein Farms

2813 Youngstown Lockport Road, Ransomville, NY 14131

What do you think of our guide to local farms and produce in Buffalo Niagara? Know a great one that we missed? Have a favorite? Let us know.

0 Comments