Western New York is home to a variety of farms, orchards, dairies, and other agricultural business that produce amazing food during the warmer months. And Rochester is home to a number of excellent farmers' markets during that summer that bring many of the growers in the surrounding areas practically to your doorstep. These markets are a place where you can buy high-quality, fresh produce (and other items, like baked goods, pasta, meat, cheese, and flowers - the list goes on) right from the growers themselves, eliminating the middle-man. It's more efficient, it's cheaper, and in the majority of cases, it's healthier for both you and the environment.

Below find a guide to some of the area's most notable farmers' markets. Many of them have websites that list their primary vendors, amenities, and some even offer newsletters and recipes. If you have a particular farmer-market vendor you love, or if you have other regional markets you'd like to suggest, post them to this article at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

Brighton Farmers' Market

Day/Time: Sundays 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through October 30

Location: Brighton High School Parking Lot, 1150 Winton Road

Products: Dozens of vendors selling jams, jellies, biscotti, bread, honey, artisan chocolate, pasta, maple syrup, fruits, and vegetables.

Contact: brightonfarmersmarket.org, info@brightonfarmersmarket.org

Brockport Farmers' Market

Day/Time: Sundays 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 19-October 30

Location: Market Street in Brockport

Products: Arts and crafts, plants and soil, wine

Contact: brockportny.org

Fairport Farmers' Market

Day/Time: Saturdays 7 a.m.-noon, through November 19

Location: 58 S. Main St., Fairport (behind the Bank of America)

Products: Baked goods, plants, honey, maple syrup, goat cheese, peppers, carrots, tomatoes, corn, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, squash, and more.

Contact: 421-3209, fairportfarmersmarket@gmail.com, village.fairport.ny.us

Foodlink Farmers' Market

Day/Time: Wednesdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m., through August 31

Location: Washington Square Park, corner of Court Street and South Clinton Avenue

Products: Popcorn, coffee, nuts, smoothies, sandwiches, salads

Contact: foodlinkny.org, 328-3380, nsmalarz@foodlinkny.org

Irondequoit Farmers' Market

Day/Time: Thursdays 4-8 p.m. (closes at dusk starting in September); through October

Location: Behind Irondequoit Town Hall, 1280 Titus Ave. at King's Highway

Products: Flowers, jewelry, clothing, food and pastries, fresh fruits and vegetables. Live entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. at the adjacent Kiwanis Performing Arts Center. No dogs allowed.

Contact: irondequoit.org, 336-6070, irondequoitmarket@irondequoit.org

Monroe Village Farmers' Market

Day/Time: Wednesdays 4-7 p.m., June 15-October 12

Location: Blessed Sacrament Church Parking Lot, 730 Monroe Ave.

Products: Music, flowers, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Contact: monroevillagefarmersmarket.org, 721-7333, buylocal@monroevillage.org

Pittsford Farmers' Market

Day/Time: Tuesdays and Saturdays 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., through November 22

Location: 3750 Monroe Ave.

Products: Maple syrup, organic flowers, meat, organic eggs, soap, jelly, free-range chickens, berries, apples, peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, pies, breads, fudge, peppers, broccoli, squash, lettuces, and more.

Contact: 733-8140, pittsfordfarmersmarket.com

Rochester Public Market

Day/Time: Open year-round Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays 5 a.m.-3 p.m. Open Fridays 6-10 p.m. July 8-August 26.

Location: 280 N. Union St.

Products: A plethora of merchants and specialty shops, selling vegetables, fruits, plants and flowers, cheese, meats, baked goods. Live music during the Friday night markets. Community garage sales most Sundays 8 a.m.-2 p.m. during the summer. Winner of 2010 America's Favorite Farmers Market competition.

Contact: cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket, 428-6907, pmarket@cityofrochester.gov

Rush Farmers' Market

Day/Time: Thursdays 3-6:30 p.m., June 16-November 3

Location: Rush United Methodist Church, 6200 Lima Road

Products: Flowers early in the season. Fruits and vegetables later on (corn, carrots, broccoli, beets, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, apples).

Contact: 533-2170, rushumc@rochester.rr.com

South Wedge Farmers' Market

Day/Time: Thursdays 4-7 p.m., through October 20

Location: 100 Alexander St., behind Boulder Coffee

Products: Fruits, vegetables, fish, chai, pasta, cheeses, baked goods. Live music. Free market shuttle with stops at Southview Towers, the Hamilton, and Pinnacle Place.

Contact: swfarmersmarket.org

Victor Farmers' Market

Day/Time: Wednesdays 3-7 p.m., through October 12

Location: Victor Village Hall Parking Lot, 60 E. Main St., Victor

Products: Local fruits and vegetables, pies, pasta, ice cream.

Contact: victorldc.org, 742-6320, vicldc@frontiernet.net

Westside Farmer's Market

Day/Time: Tuesdays 4-7:30 p.m.; through October 11

Location: Parking lot of St. Monica Church, 831 Genesee St.

Products: Local fruits and vegetables; pies, breads, and cookies; locally raised meats; locally made wine; specialty items.

Contact: westsidemarketrochester.com