Taste of Small Town Charm: Cortland's Country Markets

If small town charm had a flavor, it could certainly be found in these quaint countryside markets. Shelves brimming with fresh baked goods, perfectly ripe produce, glittering jars of jams and honey, and coolers stuffed full of locally raised meats and dairy. If you're looking to pack the perfect picnic basket, find all the fixings for your next cookout, or simply seeking an excuse for a lovely country drive, Cortland County has just the spot.

DAVE'S VEGGIES
5178 State Route 41, Homer
(607) 543-0226

In little clapboard barn swimming in sunflowers, on the outskirts of Homer, lies a paradise for bakers, canners, and gardeners.  Dave's Veggie stand is brimming with ripe fruits and veggies, all grown right on the property. The shelves are full of produce in every imaginable variety, fragrant melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, peaches, cherries, and rhubarb, all waiting to be turned into pickles, jams, and pies. The blueberries on the hill are ready for picking, garlic and onions hang from the eaves to dry, and the greenhouse is overflowing with fig trees. The farm is bursting with pots of unique flowers, rare herbs, and veggie starts, ready to plant in your own garden. The possibilities are nearly as endless as the beautiful selection. 

REAKES COUNTRY GOODS
4107 Route 13, Truxton
(607) 842-6322

A historic 1890s barn, nestled at the foot of Morgan Hill, is home to Reakes Country Goods. Curated to fill both your belly and your home, Reaks oozes country charm. One side of the barn is bursting with antiques, where you'll find every sort of collectible. The other side is stuffed with home goods, freshly baked treats, local produce, cold drinks, and snacks of all sorts. The porch is always festooned with vibrant hanging baskets and an array of potted flowers, just waiting to brighten your doorstep. It's easy to find you've whiled away an afternoon here searching for treasures.

TRUXTON OUTPOST
3728 Route 13, Truxton
(607) 345-6466

Truxton is quintessential cow country, and the Truxton Outpost is right at home in the heart of it. Equal parts funky and functional, the Outpost lives up to its name. Built of barn wood and salvaged corrugated tin, you'll feel as if you've been transported to a frontier shop. Stop by the cafe for a hot meal, and shop the tremendous section of handmade items while your food is cooked to order. The shelves are filled with all sorts of locally crafted goods: glittering jars of maple and honey, hand-carved furniture, perfectly captured photography, and unique jewelry thoughtfully curated into displays that are pure eye candy. No outfitter would be complete without garments and footwear. Designer bags or hunting gear, the Truxton Outfitter has a little something for everyone's taste. Follow the great barn wood beams to the shop's back half. There you find one wall lined with coolers stuffed with local cheeses, eggs, pickles, and Next Gen Beef, raised just a few miles down the road. By the time your order is ready, we can guarantee your basket will be filled with all the essentials and a few goodies you didn't even know you needed.

ANDERSONS FARM MARKET
5887 State Route 281, Homer
(607) 749-5551

Did someone say picnic?! Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Little York Lake is Anderson's Farm Market. The perfect stop for an impromptu lakeside picnic, you're sure to find everything you'll need. Sidle up to the deli counter and create the ultimate sandwich. Or, peruse the cooler for all the ingredients for a delicious charcuterie board. The produce bins are always overflowing with fresh fruits and veggies, and the pantry shelves host an ever-changing selection of unique dried fruits and nuts. Don't forget to grab an old-fashioned soda or lemonade. No picnic would be complete without dessert, and Anderson's pie is just the thing.

CATALPA FLOWER FARM 
116 N. (West 281), Homer
(315) 825-5531

You never know what beautiful bouquet you'll find at the Farmstand at Catalpa Flower Farm. Located in a rustic wood building, it brims with seasonal flowers grown right on the old farm. Bright old coffee cans and mason jars serve as vases next to shelves lined with satchels and jars of loose herbs and teas from a nearby herb farm. Cheerful vintage flower prints pepper the walls, and an ever-evolving selection of house plants are proudly displayed on old wooden cable spools. Eat your heart out, Johanna Gains! If you're looking for authentic farmhouse charm, the Farmstand at Catalpa Flower Farm has it in spades. The Farmstand is self-serve, Friday-Sunday, 7am-6pm. Cash, card and Venmo are accepted, but you’ll need exact change for cash purchases. Bring home something beautiful on your next visit to Cortland County. 

SUMMER FARMERS MARKETS:

Nothing betters a perfectly ripe strawberry, plucked from the dewy earth that morning or freshly baked bread, still warm from the oven. Cortland County farmer's markets are a cornucopia of peak produce, handmade goods and locally raised meats. With a variety of dates, one is sure to be open when your visiting spring-fall. 

CORTLAND CITY FARMERS MARKET
(13 Court St, Cortland)
Tuesday & Saturday 8am-2pm

HOMER REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET
(72 S Main St, Homer)
Saturdays, 9:30am-12:30pm

CINCINNATUS FARMERS MAKET
(Rural Service Pavilion)
Saturdays, 9am-12pm

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