Public Market Cookbook

The public market has been a staple in Rochester for the past 106 years and never before has there been a cookbook to celebrate it. "Our goal was to have a wonderful book that is a delight to look at and also has real recipes that people would actually make," says Margaret O'Neill Manager of the Market Token Program.

The book has 80 recipes and those who put it together taste tested every one. "The recipes come from local farmers and vendors from people who shop here at the market as well as two local chefs and each recipe features fresh local food from the market," adds O'Neill

The cookbooks have been on sale at the market and in a couple of other locations in Monroe County for just one week. Already they've sold $17,000 worth. All of the money raised goes towards the market token program. It allows people on food stamps to shop for fresh local food.

"It meant that a whole lot of people who would not have had access to the really good fresh locally grown food here at the market at really quite reasonable prices that are available here could go back to shopping at the market," says Andrew Johnson Director of Friends fo the Rochester Public Market.

The token program began three and a half years ago. And it costs about $12-15,000 a year to run.

"It does so much for the community. It helps friends and neighbors eat healthy and helps farmers and small businesses so it's really a win, win, win," says O'Neill

It's a win for the environment too. Because it's putting food on the table that is coming from close to home.

The cookbooks cost $22.95. They can be purchased at the public market office or at Parkleigh in Rochester or at Schutt's Cider Mill in Webster.

They can also be purchased online by clicking here.