My first year in Ithaca, I went to the Farmers Market every week to buy the majority of my vegetables and some other products like bread and meat. Those vendors are great and an asset to the community for local fresh foods. However, the location is very poor, given that it's hard to safely access without driving, and the parking there is a major hassle. I usually biked there, but until the Waterfront Trail is completed, this is not a convenient or safe place to bike to. I'm also giving this review just 2 stars because I feel the market is overrun by hot-food vendors. It seems like the market is packed with far more people buying cooked food at the market than using it as a place to buy fresh food from local farmers. This year I joined a local CSA, because it was about half the cost and much less hassle.

I lived in Ithaca for a few years and now live in NYC. I go to the Greenmarket in Union Square as much as I can, but no matter how fresh the produce is, its never been quite as fresh and satisfying as the Ithaca Farmers Market. There is much more variety at the IFM, as well as better choices for snacks, breakfast, and lunch. Its in such a nice location right on the lake that its not hard to spend a few hours there eating and relaxing as well as shopping. I try to go there everytime i visit Ithaca.