Bad Economy, Good Fruits and Veggies
Farmers markets are sprouting up all over the state and thriving
By AMY WRUBEL
Updated 11:30 AM EST, Thu, Jul 9, 2009
You might not believe it, but there is an industry that’s growing in this bleak economy. And I mean literally, growing.
Sweet corn, juicy strawberries, fresh eggs and healthy herbs are only a few of the hundreds of products that local Connecticut’s farmers’ markets have to offer and boy are they thriving this summer.
The newest farmers' market to to hit Connecticut will open Thursday July 9, in Windsor at 240 Broad St. This plein air market will be held every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
If you aren’t familiar with farmers’ markets, they consist of a group of local farmers that congregate a couple times per week at a public place to sell the cream of their crop.
For all you moms out there, we know that kids and grocery stores are like oil and water. All that kicking and screaming down aisle 5 can be painful, but many farmers’ markets offer live entertainment, taste testing and petting zoos so the whole family can be happy!
The best organic food is what’s grown closest to home, and with more than 120 markets in the state, both producers (farmers) and consumers (us) are happy with fresh and flavorful results.
Farmers’ markets are flourishing because local farmers save money by selling directly to the consumer and eliminating the high costs of a wholesaler. We are happy because we know our food is natural and safe, not processed and chemically infused with toxins or other forms of nastiness.
So, if you're interested in going green this summer or just want to taste the freshest produce our state has to offer, skip that supermarket and visit a local farmers’ market near you.
West Hartford- Trout Brook
Whole Foods, 50 Raymond Road
Mondays, 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Hartford
United Methodist Church
571 Farmington Ave.
Tuesdays and Fridays, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Enfield
Enfield Town Green
Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m.
New Britain
St. Ann’s Church, 109 North Street
Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1p.m.
East Hartford
Raymond Memorial Library
Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Berlin
Veterans Mamorial Park
Saturdays, 9a.m.-1 p.m
Farmington
Hill-Stead Museum
35 Mountain Road
Sundays 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
For a complete list county by county check out the state's farmers markets Web site.
First Published: Jul 9, 2009 9:52 AM EST
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