Genesee Valley Produce Auction

Genesee Valley Produce Auction
8855 County Road 3
Centerville, NY 14029
1/4 mile east of “downtown” Centerville on the road towards Hume/Fillmore, NY.
Centerville is a small town in northwest Allegany County, NY, at a crossroads. The most notable business in downtown Centerville is Uncle Tom’s Kabin which is a small grocery store. Go 1/4 mile towards Hume/Fillmore and The Genesee Valley Produce Auction will be on the south side of the road. If you are coming from Hume/Fillmore, it will be on the south side of the road just before you enter the village. You can’t miss it!!

Auction Days: Usually lasts an hour or two depending on how much is up for sale.
Tuesday – 10:00 AM till over
Friday – 10:00 Am till over

For questions call: This is an Amish Auction and contact by phone is only available at specific times.
585-567-8640 from 9:00 till about noon on auction days
585-567-4312 other days between 8:00 – 8:30 AM

Update 5/24/16: The auction has resumed for 2016 and will continue until the end of October. The first annual Quilt, Furniture & Craft Auction will be held June 25th, 2016.

The Genesee Valley Produce Auction, LLC in Centerville, NY is in the process of finishing it’s second year as a seasonal local produce auction. It appears to be a growing, successful enterprise. This wholesale produce action is owned and operated for the benefit of the local Amish community, which is part of the community of Centerville, NY. Centerville is a small rural town in Allegany County in western NY State.

In an effort to boost the local economy, the auction has been established to furnish an outlet for locally grown produce. This includes Amish and non-amish producers. The auction provides high quality produce to potential buyers which includes small to medium size local roadside produce stands. As the auction becomes more successful and attracts a larger number of bidders, the demand for local produce grown in and around Centerville has increased.

Here is how it works: A buyer or Seller is required to get a number to identify your purchase or sale. This is done in the office. Next, Preview the goods to see what you are interested in bidding upon. Take note of the package size being offered because that will be the minimum purchase you can buy, once you have made a bid. You must listen to the auctioneer, as he will sometimes have instructions regarding the quantity to be purchased with your bid. Usually you can purchase anywhere from one package to the entire lot, at the price you bid. It helps to watch the bidding process for a while before you start bidding. Once you feel comfortable, make your bid. Once you have completed all your bidding, you take your number to the office to pay for your purchase. Then, load up and head for home.

Additionally there is a “Retail” table that has pre-priced small package sizes of fruits, vegetables and baked goods. If you do not need a large quantity of a specific item, you may find it on the retail table. There will be a person near the retail table to take the package number and then you can pay for the item in the office.

These photos were taken in late September when the Fall produce is available. Produce that is only available for a short period of time during the year, like concord grapes, pumpkins, and apples need to be purchased during their season. Earlier in the year during the Spring and Summer other produce like hanging flower baskets, or sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers are available.

One of the benefits of a local produce market is the potential to purchase unique items such as these walnut log flower baskets with grape vine handles. Although you many not want to buy a whole pallet of hanging baskets, it may be an opportunity to work with your neighbors to save a few dollars by buying in bulk in a wholesale setting. If you are into canning or freezing for your family, it is an economical way to purchase fresh produce in quantities not offered in the grocery store. It is a great adventure to gather a few friends to go visit the auction, find a great deal, and share the bargain you found.

Over the past 20 years or so, an Amish community has developed in and around Centerville. It is now very normal to encounter a buggy or two on the road when you travel locally. The Amish have purchased a significant portion of the local real estate where there were once small dairy farms that went out of business in the 1970s and 1980s. The community is complete with homesteads, carpenters, storekeepers, builders, sawmills, a poultry farm, and local produce and greenhouse growers.

Centerville is a small town located in the northwestern corner of Allegany Counsty, NY. It is about an hour and fifteen minutes from Buffalo, NY and about an hour and a half from Rochester, NY. It is a rural town with a population of 822. The main occupation is dairy and beef cattle farming. There are also several maple syrup producers. Centerville is located at a high elevation in western NY with hills reaching 2000 feet. This high elevation is associated with ample snowfall in the winter and cooler temperatures in the summer; often 5-10 degrees cooler than Buffalo or Rochester. The beautiful rolling hills make a scenic ride at any time of year.