If you live in off-campus housing, it can be easy to feel distant from campus life. However, there’s plenty that exists in its vicinity — even if it isn’t University related. One such example is Westside Farmers Market, which aims to offer fresh, locally-produced foods to an urban market and build community within the Southwest Rochester neighborhoods and the collegiate campuses interspersed within them.
The market, which runs for a couple hours on Genesee Street every Tuesday evening from June to October, is just a ten-minute walk across the bridge leading to Brooks and Riverview, and right down the street from the Brooks shuttle stop.
Current vendors include efforts from college organizations such as SUNY Geneseo’s eGarden, which grows organic herbs and vegetables selling for a couple of dollars each, as well as local businesses such as Mark & Amy’s Pickles, which also vend at Ludwig’s downtown and the Public Market. Often, there are free food opportunities available at the market, such as free corn grilled by Market volunteers. All vendors of any sort are from within 100 miles of Rochester.
Additionally, you can find nonprofit organizations tabling at the market such as R Community Bikes, which help repair bicycles and provide biking information and safety training to community members, and SNAP Ed, which educates people on how to use their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) tokens to the fullest. Local University organizations such as the University’s iGEM team and student vendors such as viccrafts (run by University senior Vic Cohen) have also hosted tables at the market to talk about their research and give back to the community. All of this hubbub is backed by performing local musicians, who are stationed at the far end of the market.
“There aren’t community events and stuff like there used to be… and there’s such a sense of purpose in what we’re doing,” said Westside Market Manager Jessica DiSalvo. “We’re dedicated to partnerships with programs working to help people with food insecurity. We also have cool vendors with boutique products — it’s the basics all the way to your blueberry goat cheese or special jam. The Market is this sea of beautiful, smiling faces, and the people there are just so nice, and there’s fresh food and resources that improve people’s quality of life, and a social outlet that people benefit from… it is the epitome of a third place.”
DiSalvo grew up in the 19th Ward right on Genesee Street, but had never really been to Westside prior to starting with the market in October. Through her work with Westside, she’s pushed to keep money within the community and retain thriving local businesses amongst Rochester’s food deserts as a way to give back to the neighborhood that raised her.
“The people closest to us know the least about us… we’re really working on making sure that we have a lot of kids from the University. If you’re a student, maybe you don’t have the time or access to get to a grocery store, and we have prepared food options… you can get some brain fuel and not have to make food for yourself, and get that higher quality experience without having to really leave campus.”
Westside has benefited in the past from University students, having had students in the Urban Fellows program working at the market during the summer for over a decade. Additionally, there are volunteer opportunities within the market that are easily accessible to students.
This upcoming week, Westside is hosting a College Night, where students with a University ID will be able to receive a free $5 coupon to spend, a reusable Westside bag, raffle tickets for various gift certificates to local businesses such as the Brooks Landing diner, and — most adorably — a baby goat to pet. College Night will be held at Westside’s usual location and time: in the parking lot next to St. Monica’s Church on 831 Genesee Street, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
You can find additional information about Westside and their upcoming events at their website and Instagram pages as linked.
