Ethnic Vegetables
Production of ethnic vegetables is a growing trend on many New York farms. A large assortment of exotic vegetable types while unfamiliar to many Americans may be a taste of home to foreign nationals, immigrants and ethnically-based communities. Most of these ethnic vegetables can be successfully grown in New York. The key to marketing is to select varieties that are familiar to the consumer group. Many immigrants are excited to be able to purchase fresh produce grown locally that would be readily available in their country of origin. Producing ethnic vegetables can be rewarding, but should be properly researched and tried on a small scale to begin.Relevant Event
Fungi, Forage & Forest
June 12, 2026 : Friday Evening
June 13, 2026 : Saturday Full-Day
Video: New York State Produce Auctions
Currently, there are 11 produce auctions in New York State. These auctions are aggregation points that allow local farmers to sell their produce in wholesale lots to buyers from across the region. To document the economic impact of produce auctions on agriculture, local businesses, family farms, and produce buyers, the Cornell Vegetable Program worked with Harvest New York to survey top sellers and buyers.
A new Cornell Vegetable Program video shares general information about produce auctions, how buyers and sellers use the auctions to expand their businesses, and how local communities benefit from them.
Evaluations of Specialty Crop Vegetables
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
Each year, the Cornell Vegetable Program will be evaluating new and different vegetable varieties suited for the specialty crop or ethnic markets. Growers are encouraged to check them out here to see how they have performed in Western NY.
Ethnic Greens Trial, 2012
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
Interest in growing ethnic vegetables has been increasing in our region. In response, the Cornell Vegetable Program conducted a two-year ethnic vegetable variety and marketing trial. The focus of the trial was to see how well assortments of vegetables that represent some different nationalities perform in WNY under our wildly fluctuating weather conditions and also to see how growers can market these new vegetables, how customers respond to them at the market, and what is needed to reach targeted communities perhaps. Funding was provided by the Western NY CCE Association group.
Exploring Ethnic Vegetables
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
In and around our larger cities and increasingly out in suburban areas, ethnic communities are expanding. This presentation was made to a small farmers' meeting sponsored by the Cornell Vegetable Program, Ontario County CCE, and through funding by GVRMA. The presentation covered discovering what communities are out there, vegetable varieties available, and marketing. Future work will focus on reporting results from variety trials and marketing economics.
Ethnic Vegetable Workshop Receives Media Coverage
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
The Cornell Chronicle Online covered a recent Ethnic Vegetable Workshop hosted by the Cornell Vegetable Program and CCE Ontario County.
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
Fungi, Forage & Forest
June 12, 2026 : Friday Evening
Buckets, Beds & Totems
Explore mushroom cultivation techniques featuring oyster mushrooms, wine caps, and lion's mane mushrooms.
June 13, 2026 : Saturday Full-Day
Wild Edibles
Learn about edible plants and responsible foraging practices focused on plants only (no wild mushroom foraging).
Agroforestry Talk
Discover how agroforestry systems can support farm diversification and sustainable land management.
Shiitake Inoculation (hands-on workshop at Heartland Organics)
Participate in a hands-on shiitake inoculation workshop and learn the basics of log-grown mushroom production.