Westside Farmers Market

Westside Farmers Market is closely tied to the 19th Ward Community Association, giving this Rochester market a distinctly neighborhood-rooted shape from the start. The market runs at St. Monica Church on Genesee Street and brings together growers, prepared-food makers, and pantry-focused vendors for a Tuesday afternoon market on the city’s west side. Its vendor rules add another defining detail: sellers must come from within 100 miles of Rochester, with special encouragement for neighbors growing food in Southwest Rochester, and the market operates as producer-only with limited exceptions. That combination keeps the market focused on local production and direct selling.

Why it matters locally

The market especially encourages neighbors growing food in the Southwest area of Rochester to vend there, a concrete way it ties food sales to the surrounding neighborhood instead of treating location as backdrop. Vendors must come from within 100 miles of Rochester, and the producer-only rule means no re-sellers are allowed except for limited exceptions. That matters if you want to buy from farms and makers handling their own products rather than a mixed resale stand.

The partnership list also shows how the market is woven into nearby institutions. St. Monica Church is both the host site and a named partner, while the University of Rochester Center for Community Engagement and Teaching Artists Roc are also listed as partners. Community collaborators including Arnett and Highland Branch Libraries, Books By Bike, R Community Bikes, His Branches, and SNAP Ed broaden that local network beyond shopping alone.

What you'll find there

The mix here leans heavily toward produce and practical staples, then branches into mushrooms, tea, pasta, baked goods, pizza, pickles, jams, and snack foods from named local vendors. The co-op booth adds another layer by gathering locally sourced meat, cheese, tofu, tempeh, granola, honey, yogurt, and other kitchen basics in one stop.

• -Find Enka:ri Farm for regenerative-farm vegetables, herbs, flowers, berries, nuts, and eggs.
• -Pick up locally grown microgreens from Sunshine Daygreens, produced with non-GMO seeds and organic methods.
• -Grab gourmet snack mixes from Snakmonster Popcorn.
• -Cook with handcrafted artisanal dry pasta from Flour City Pasta.
• -Look for Barakah's Beautiful Kreations for bean pies, baked treats, dehydrated vegetables, and handcrafted specialties.
• -Shop Lagoner Farms for homegrown fruits and vegetables.
• -Bring home seasonal produce from Moss Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, a family-run farm.
• -Explore Smugtown Mushrooms for oyster, lion's mane, and shiitake mushrooms, plus grow kits, extracts, teas, and classes.
• -Choose Suncatcher Gardens for vegetables, herbs, garlic, greens, and seasonal produce.
• -Save room for cookies, cakes, brownies, and other sweet treats from Monae's Bake Land.
• -Order wholesome prepared foods, baked goods, lemonade, local fruit, and healthy meals from Cooking and Eating Healthy with Phil.
• -Steep hand-harvested, caffeine-free herbal tea blends from Weatherfield Farm.
• -Eat on site with thin-crust wood-fired pizzas from Freddie's Wood Fired Pizzas.
• -Stock the pantry with jams, jellies, and preservation supplies from Canning with Colette, or craft pickle flavors from Mark & Amy's Pickles.
• -Add roasted and raw peanuts, pecans, dried fruits, and other snack staples from Florida Nut House.
• -Buy eggs, goat milk, yogurt, cheese, sourdough baked goods, and handmade soaps from Clover Meadow Creamery.
• -Round out staples at the Westside Co-op Booth with locally sourced meat, cheese, tofu, tempeh, granola, honey, yogurt, and more.

Weekly extras include live music every Tuesday, Truesday Yoga, and a free kids' craft activity with toys and games for families. Special dates on the calendar include BerryFest, HoneyFest, CornFest, Bike Rodeos, Craft Nights, College Night, and HarvestFest.

Know before you go

Parking is through the driveway at 34 Monica Street, using the parking lot of St. Monica Church, and parking is free. That detail matters because the market address is 831 Genesee Street, so drivers will want to aim for the Monica Street entrance rather than expect direct lot access from Genesee.

Two other practical rules can shape a visit: no dogs are allowed, and restrooms are not available. The market takes place in the parking lot of St. Monica Church, which helps explain the compact setup and easy connection to the host site. If you want to pair shopping with activities, Tuesday is also when the market schedules weekly music and family programming.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP/EBT is accepted at Westside Farmers Market. The market also references Double Your SNAP Dollars with FreshConnect Checks, and notes that most of its farmers accept FMNP checks. Payment options are presented clearly as part of the market’s visitor information, which is useful if you’re planning a produce-focused shop.