Welcome in Summer at Your Local Farmers Market

Memorial Day weekend ushers in the unofficial beginning of summer—and with it the taste of juicy strawberries, ripe red tomatoes, crisp pea pods, and a whole host of fresh fruits and vegetables in the height of their growing season. What better way to get the freshest possible produce than to shop at your local farmers market?

Shopping at farmers markets offers multiple benefits, according to Mark Zotti, Marketing and Inspection Representative for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. “First and foremost, the quality of the product is second to none,” he says.

Richard Gotta agrees. Owner of Gotta’s Farm in Portland, he sells produce at farmers markets in Meriden and Middletown beginning in July. You may have to pay a little more than you would in the grocery store, he shares, but it’s worth it. “It was picked that day. The taste is superb,” he says.

The typical vegetable now travels 1,500 miles from the farm where it’s grown to the grocery store where you buy it. Some crops, like apples, sit in warehouses for months before they are shipped. Farmers’ markets offer fresh food grown right in Connecticut, sometimes including varieties too delicate to ship.

When you shop at a farmers’ market, you support small, local farms and “you get to talk to the people growing your food,” Zotti points out. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”

As the new farmers market season opens, Connecticut will host 122 markets. Besides fruits and vegetables, these fresh-air marketplaces sell plants, flowers, baked goods, meats, cheese, honey and more. Some of them, like the North End Farmers Market in Middletown, feature live entertainment and activities for children. Izzi Greenberg, one of the organizers of that market, describes it as “a great way to bring neighbors together in a joyous setting.”

If you’re new to farmers markets, Zotti advises that you visit several to find the one that fits your style. “They’re all a little bit different,” he explains. Whether you like to make a quick stop to pick up some fresh ingredients for a meal or you prefer to bring the family and make a day of it, “there’s a market for everybody,” Zotti says.

No matter which market you choose, follow these tips to make the most of your trip:

• Bring Your Own Bags. Reusable cloth bags with handles not only help you transport your purchases, but protect the environment. If you really want to go green, walk or ride a bike to the market if you can.
• Carry Cash. You’ll need it. Small bills and change will be appreciated by the market vendors.
• Carry a Cooler. If you plan to buy meat, cheese or other perishable items, a cooler of ice will keep them fresh while you shop. Likewise, a bucket with water in the bottom kept in your car will preserve fresh flowers.
• Take Your Time. Stroll through the market to see what’s available and compare quality and price before you start buying.
• Ask Questions. When were these tomatoes picked? How should this corn be stored? What is kohlrabi? How do you cook it?
• Shop Early—Or Late. Get to the market early if you want the best possible selection. If you’re looking for good deals, head there late when many vendors are reducing prices to empty their stalls before packing up for the day.
• Be Adventurous! Never had garlic scapes? Find out what you’ve been missing. The farmers market is a great place to try something different. You may discover a new favorite.
• Know What’s in Season. As we make our way through the summer months, different crops will come into season. Those foods will be more widely available, less expensive and at their peak of taste. To stay on top of your crops, refer to the crop calendar at right or visit the Department of Agriculture’s website at www.ct.gov/doag.
• Buy Only What You Will Use. With so many appealing choices, it’s easy to get carried away. And though fresh foods tend to keep longer than their store-bought counterparts, they will go to waste if you buy too much.
• Taste Test. Many vendors offer free samples. With those that don’t, offer to pay for a single peach or a handful of berries and take a taste before investing in large quantities.
• Plan Meals Around Your Purchases. The offerings at farmers markets can vary widely from week to week. Buy what looks good to you that week, and then plan your meals around your purchases. Do your conventional grocery-store shopping after a trip to the farmers market to fill in the items you need.

Following is a list of farmers markets in the central Connecticut region, most of which offer foods grown organically, without chemicals or pesticides. In addition, many markets participate in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. This program, associated with WIC (Women, Infants and Children), provides financial assistance to help women and children purchase nutritious foods.

Wednesdays, 3 - 6 pm; Saturdays, 10am - 1pm

July 6 ‐ October

99 Farmington Avenue (Rte. 4), Price Chopper Plaza

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Wednesdays, noon ‐ 2pm

July 6 ‐ September

164 Jerome Avenue, Bristol Housing Authority

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Sundays, 10am ‐ 1pm

June 5 ‐ October 2

Town Center

www.chestersundaymarket.com 

Sundays, 9am ‐ noon

June 12 ‐ October 23

St. Joseph Polish Society, 395 South Main Street

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Wednesdays, 3 ‐ 6pm

June 1 ‐ October

52 Missionary Road, Covenant Village of Cromwell

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Thursdays, 3 ‐ 6pm

May 5 ‐ September 8

Town Green, Route 17

http://durhamfarmersmarket.farming.officelive.com/default.aspx

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted 

Fridays, 3 ‐ 6pm

June 17 ‐ September 2

Main Street behind Griswold Inn

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Sundays, 11am - 2pm

July 10 ‐ October 23

35 Mountain Road

www.hillstead.org/activities/farmersmarket.html

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Fridays, 3:30 ‐ 6pm

June 3 ‐ September 30

436 Hartford Turnpike (Route 6), Chapels Greenhouse

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Saturdays, 9am ‐ 12:30pm

June 18 ‐ October 8

Church of Hope of Hebron, 1 Main Street

www.hebronfarmersmarket.com

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Fridays, 3:30 ‐ 6:30pm

June 3 ‐ October 28

Higganum Green, Routes 81 and 154

www.higganumvillagefarmersmarket.org

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Saturdays, 8am ‐ noon

July 16 ‐ October 29

NEW LOCATION: The Hub, Intersection of State and East

Main Streets, Across from the Amtrak Station

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Tuesdays and Thursday, 8am ‐ 1pm

July 14 ‐ October 27

South Green, Old Church Street

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted 

Fridays, 10am ‐ 2pm

July 1 ‐ October 28

Sidewalk in front of Its Only Natural Market

http://www.neatmiddletown.org/Farmersmarket.htm

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted, SNAP/EBT 

Tuesdays, 4  - 7pm

July ‐ September

Sidewalk in front of Its Only Natural Market

http://www.neatmiddletown.org/Farmersmarket.htm

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted, SNAP/EBT

Mondays, 2 - 4pm

July 18 ‐ October 31

St. Ann's Church, 109 North Street

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Thursdays, 3 - 6pm; Saturdays, 9am - 1pm

June 23 ‐ October 13

Rear of Market Square, behind 100 Market Square

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted, SNAP/EBT

Wednesdays, 10am ‐ 1pm; Saturdays, 9am ‐ 12:30pm

June 25 ‐ October 29

210 Main Street

www.oldsaybrookfarmersmarket.com

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted, SNAP/EBT

Fridays, 3 - 6pm

July 8 ‐ October 28

997‐1003 South Main Street, Plantsville

http://www.nwctfarmersmarkets.com/Home.html

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Saturdays, 9am ‐ noon

July 16 ‐ September 17

Railroad Station Green, Routes 5 and 150

www.wallingfordgardenersmarket.com

Thursdays, 11am ‐ 3pm

June 23 ‐ October 27

Flat Rock Place, Tanger Outlet Center

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted

Thursdays, 3 - 6pm

June 2 ‐ October 27

Keeney Memorial Center, 200 Main Street

http://www.historicwethersfield.org/farmer_market.html

WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted