The Ultimate WFPB Foodie Guide to Rochester NY
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Rochester Public Market entrance- Railroad St Rochester, NY
Maybe you are like me and love to travel to find ultimate whole-food plant-based foodie destinations where the food scene is just exploding.
A place where everyone gets in on the action, food trucks, festivals, restaurants, meal-prep services, and cooking classes all in abundance for whole-food plant-based lifestyles.
Typically a trip to a good quality public market in a large city will bring you all of that and more.
But, hang on, Rochester, NY is not a large city by any means, so how come it’s such a great destination? It’s the people.
For over a century, a movement in the making focused on selling everything you need to live a whole-food plant-based lifestyle or a standard American diet. Sales to all walks of life regardless of age, race, or economic status.
An article on the history of the Public Market in Rochester, NY, states that,
“the Rochester Public Market is the largest single market site EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) for food stamps in the United States. It does more food stamp business in this market than the whole green food market system of all 31 in New York City. And despite the economic swings in the neighboring communities the market has continued to have success and remain resilient.”
Being one of the top destinations for any foodie to visit, the Rochester Public Market is a day event. Go for breakfast, stay for lunch, and shop for the week.
Whether you visit Rochester, NY, or live in the city, two must-have stops are the vegan bakery, A Taste of Supreme Bakery. Then, just down the aisle, This is Life Itself, the Chaga mushroom company.
A Taste of Supreme Bakery is not only a vegan bakery that sells incredibly delicious baked goods, but it is a story of the American Dream and our youth.
It’s hard to resist owner Asad Muhammad’s bright, welcoming smile; it sucks you in from the moment you make eye contact. A young teenage boy who became a member of the Boys and Girls Club in Rochester, in an area of town notorious for violence, Asad took the love of his Muslim culture and food and shared them with Rochester, who embraced him and the flavor with arms wide open.
Rochester Public Market, A Taste of Supreme Bakery stand with owner Asad H Muhammad
On my first visit to his bakery stand, I looked over this beautiful case of baked goods, all meticulously displayed. I was attracted to the Ginger Turmeric Date scone. Knowing I would like the flavors, I asked for one to share with my Sturgy and began to talk to Asad about his baked goods.
His story of why compelled me to write about him, but the FLAVOR, oh my! After taking one bite, I knew Sturgy was on his own, so we bought another one so we BOTH could love it.
We have made multiple trips back to buy his baked goods. They are all a delightful treat for any food connoisseur. However, my heart still belongs to the Ginger Turmeric Date scone, healthy, flavorful, and oh-so-filling. It’s a perfect treat for any occasion.
Stop by his booth on your visit to the Rochester Public Market. Look him up on his website, https://tasteofsupreme.com/
Connect with him on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/tasteofsupreme/ and like him on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/tasteofsupreme/.
Rochester Public Market- Coffee shop hot spot
We came across another delightful fellow just down the aisle and across the path, whose vibrant and Zen-like demeanor caught our attention. Owner Josh Zimmerman of This Is Life Itself picked up this big black thing and smiled at us. Intrigued, we asked what it was, and so began our Chaga mushroom education.
He told us all about the Chaga Mushroom:
Where Chaga is grown
How he harvests each piece of Chaga carefully by hand
The benefits of Chaga in our diets
What he makes with the Chaga mushroom.
The Chaga tea we sampled was extraordinary. The Golden Bliss Balls he talked about intrigued me, but the Chaga Root beer Syrup stole the show for us. Adding a shot of Chaga Root beer Syrup to sparkling water tasted like the root beer soda full of sugar and calories. Only this one had a fantastic punch of health benefits that surrounded it.
Sipping our tea and speaking with Josh, we found out that his original shop is in Buffalo, NY.
He has long-standing connections in Buffalo, NY, in the health and well-being area. He is now expanding to Rochester, and lucky for us, he landed where else but the Rochester Public Market.
Stop by and chat with Josh at the Rochester Public Market; visit his website, https://www.thisislifeitself.com/, to see the vast list of events and products he has to offer.
Connect with him on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thisislifeitself/ to keep up with all his adventures and inspirations, and like him on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/thisislifeitself/to see what’s happening with yoga and herbs.
Rochester Public Market- This Is Life Itself, owner Josh Zimmerman and his Chaga Mushroo
Whether you live in or are visiting the Rochester area of New York State, spend a day at the Rochester Public Market. You will NOT be disappointed.
Check out https://www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket/ and be ready for a market destination well worth your time!
What is your favorite Public Market in the United States?
What makes this market so special for you?
Leave a comment and tell us about it! We would love to hear from you…
