Town of Tonawanda Courier/ Friday, February 20, 2015
-TOWN OF TONAWANDA-
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FEBRUARY 20, 2015
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Farmer’s Market is a year-round destination By Joanne DalPorto
NT SUN CORRESPONDENT
The thermometer only read 18 degrees, but the welcome was toasty warm at the North Tonawanda Farmer’s Market. All winter long, on Saturday’s, a handful of hardy farmers and vendors offer their goods for sale to those willing to show up, and show up they do. “We have wonderful, faithful customers,” said Tina of Tina’s Cheese. “People depend on us and the quality of what we sell. I had a lady today that was going out of town and was so excited to get her grated cheese and pepperoni.” Dan Hanzilian of Hanzilian’s Homemade Sausage agreed. “There are all sorts of people who shop here, and they are all dedicated,” Hanzilian said. “I love this community. We provide good food for good people.” When the thermometer dips into the teens with wind chills below zero, only the most robust customers make the trek. “I try to come every Saturday no matter the weather,” said Luke Dabill, one of the market’s regulars. “We live in a winter town; why not embrace it?” “There is hot soup most Saturdays,” Dabill continued. “I’m supporting local farmers and locally grown produce, and it feels like
A frosty Saturday morning at the Farmer’s Market in North Tonawanda. Photos by Joanne DalPorto. home. There’s not a friendlier place on earth.” Just when you think your fingers will never regain feeling, you can step into Dan Ottaviano’s heated produce trailer. Dan’s Produce has been in business for 15 years. “This is our second year with the heated option,” Ottaviano explains. “We use it if it’s below freezing outside in order to keep the
customers comfortable and the produce in good condition.” “Our customers are loyal, and they know we are always here for them,” Ottaviano added. In fact, he cares so much about his patrons he hired one. “I was such a good customer for so many years, I ended up working here,” Alyssa, of Dan’s Produce said.
The official hours are 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., but you may not want to wait until the last minute on very cold days. Vendors are here year round on Saturdays, and in the spring, summer, and fall on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well. “We’re like a family,” Tina stated. “We’ve worked side by side for many years. My mother started this and I have been involved since
I was 7 years old. I guess it’s in my blood.” Located at the corner of Payne Avenue and Robinson Street, the market has been operating since 1908. In the warmer months, there are dozens of vendors selling a wide array of products from fresh fruits and vegetables to plants, flowers, honey, organic beef, baked goods (for humans as well as their canine
companions), fresh donuts, coffee, and almost anything else you can imagine. The North Tonawanda Farmer’s Market is a wonderful destination regardless of the weather, but there is something extra special about a visit on a cold winter day that only the toughest Western New Yorker’s can appreciate.