Perhaps because Cornell boasts better dining options than most other schools (it usually winds up on the Princeton Review’s top ten list for best campus food), students often ignore the many great places to eat in Ithaca. I’ll admit that as a freshman, I had very little experience eating outside of Cornell’s dining facilities. I was deterred by the distance of the Ithaca eateries and by the expense—especially when the dining hall at Appel Commons was literally a minute away from my dorm, and the cost was already included in my dining plan.
However, at the beginning of sophomore year, my friends and I started to explore food outside of the all-you-can-eat buffet. That’s when I discovered the Ithaca Farmer’s Market, which is the best place to get delicious local food with a side helping of Ithaca’s distinctive flair. I have been to farmer’s markets in other states and countries (I frequented the Galway market when I studied in Ireland last fall), but Ithaca’s market is truly one of a kind. It’s located at Steamboat Landing on the shores of Cayuga Lake; the local musicians who play there offer an Ithacan blend of folk and country mixed with bongo drums and even a kazoo.
But for me, the best part of the market is Macro-Mama, a macrobiotic eatery; its offerings are not only vegan, but also avoid processed and so-called “toxic” foods. I was skeptical at first, but my doubts disappeared as my stomach filled with their peanut-lime noodles, corn fritters, and six-inch chocolate cake. Macro-Mama’s also offers sampler platters of rice and beans, seasonal vegetables, and mixed greens.
Macro-Mama is just one of the 150 vendors that fill the market each weekend; each must be based no more than thirty miles from Ithaca. In addition to the food booths, the market is home to artisans who offer handmade jewelry and colorful watercolors, as well as produce vendors who sell items that aren’t available at the grocery store, such as purple peppers or apples with bright pink flesh.
During one of my recent trips to Steamboat Landing, I overheard two Cornell friends excitedly talking about how it was their first time at the market. As I enjoyed my Macro-Mama’s platter, I smiled to myself. They had arrived at the same conclusion that I had sophomore year: while eating on campus may be convenient and inexpensive, it can’t compare to the awesome cuisine and unique atmosphere of the farmer’s market.
— Jamie Leonard ’09