The Greenwich Farmers Market, which has been in existence for over 30 years, opens for the season on Saturday, May 18th.
Head to Horseneck Lot for the 9:30am opening, marked by the traditional ringing of the bell by market master, Judy Waldeyer.
Once again, the market will be distributing free recyclable shopping bags.
Ms Waldeyer said these bags are incredibly strong and durable, and one will last a customer all season.
“Our market makes a concerted effort to be more sustainable,” Waldeyer said, adding, “The reusable bags are made possible by the many local businesses who advertise on the bags.”
Located in the Horseneck commuter parking lot (just off I-95 exit 3) the market runs weekly on Saturdays from 9:30am to 1:00pm. Parking is free during market hours. No Pets.
Customers are asked to wait at the entrance until the “opening bell” to let the farmers set up.
The market is a reliable source for jobber-free farm products from Connecticut.
What’s a jobber? Jobbers are farmers who buy and sell produce that is not their own and claim it is. That may not sound like a big deal. But consider that Farmers Markets in Fairfield County are lucrative. Hundreds of cars full of shoppers make the markets a weekly destination, maybe bypassing the grocery store.
Each year vendors apply for a spot in the Greenwich Farmers Market, and they are required to verify they produce what they plan to sell. Sometimes the refrain is, ‘Oh, my buddy had some extra corn or tomatoes, so I’m helping him out,’ but the truth may be that those tomatoes are from a regional wholesaler. The temptation to cut corners persists.
Jobber free means the person selling the produce knows how it was grown and can tell you if it’s organic and how it was grown. And, after all, part of the fun is getting to recognize and know your favorite vendors and maybe learning something about farming in the process.
Connecticut supplies only 15% of its food, 85% comes from out of state. In fact, the reason the Greenwich Farmers’ Market is allowed to use town property every year is to support Connecticut agriculture.
Hence the Greenwich Farmers’ Market prominently features the “Grown in Connecticut” logo.
2024 Vendors:
*New American Dream Coffee Co. offers freshly roasted coffee beans, serving local markets in and around Fairfield county.
The Herb Basket specializes in jams, preserves and gift boxes. Waldeyer, “the jam lady”, which is embroidered on the red apron she wears every Saturday sells her jams, jellies, chutneys, relishes, barbecue sauce and pickled vegetables that make great gifts. In fact, Waldeyer has gift boxes with various assortments that make great hostess or housewarming gifts. She also said that her hot pepper jelly is is a simple ingredient that makes a cracker and cream cheese quite special when entertaining.
Moorefield Herb Farm is based in Trumbull. Nancy Moore offers a unique mix of herbs, succulents and plants including tomato plants. She sells succulents in small packs.
Moore got the gardening bug when she was a young girl. She recalls her mother would tuck hens and chicks into crevices in the stonewalls. “And my father was an organic gardener long before it became fashionable,” she said. “He grew vegetables and heirloom tomatoes.”
Oronoque Farms from Shelton, offers pies and cider donuts.
They were voted best apple and apple crumb pie by Connecticut Magazine.
The Local Catch offers fresh Seafood and shellfish. Their slogan is “Wild. Local. Natural.”
The Local Catch is unique in their commitment to supporting the local economy and fishing community .
Everything is fresh, never frozen, and all locally sourced from local fishermen from Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Riverbank Farm is based in Roxbury. They offer certified organic produce and prepared foods.
Eat local, eat organic and eat in season with Riverbank Farm!
When in season: Arugula, Lettuce, Beans, Sugar snap peas, Beets, Carrots, Cabbage, Salad mix, Garlic, Onions, Winter squash, Sweet and hot peppers, Cherry, beefsteak and heirloom tomatoes, Eggplant, Watermelons & Cantaloupe, Leeks, Radishes, Spinach, Kale, Swiss chard, Zucchini, Strawberries, Summer squash, Turnips, Celeriac, Cucumbers, Pumpkins & Winter Squash, Herbs, Cut Flowers, Shallots, Potatoes (gold, red, blue, fingerling) Sweet Potatoes, Parsnips…and more!
Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm offers lamb, chicken, cheese, prepared foods. The farmers travel to Greenwich from Lyme where they operate that state’s biggest sheep farm on 167 acres.
Victoria arranges farm fresh pieces of cheese made from raw sheep’s and cow’s milk in tubs filled with ice so customers can pick the type and size to match their desire.
But Sankow’s stand is more than meets the eye, with most of the products frozen and kept cold inside a neat coolers. The free samples of sheep’s milk cheese and cow’s milk cheese usually catch the eye of first-time shoppers. Many become weekly regular customers after a sample.
Seacoast Mushrooms offers mushrooms to suit every palate and recipe. Locally grown gourmet mushrooms in Stonington, depending on the season Seacoast mushrooms are grown indoors in rooms with shelving that house logs on which the mushrooms grow. Everything is tested frequently. They have shelving for the logs and maintain them carefully with the right amount of moisture. Visit Seacoast Mushrooms Facebook page for photos and videos of mushrooms and the growing process.
Smith Acres Farm Based in Niantic, Smith Acres Farm offers fresh produce.
**New: Sprout Juicery – organic, raw, cold pressed juices and elixirs to reset, slim down, and detox
**New: Tiny Greens – an urban farm located in Stamford and specializing in growing microgreens that contain extremely high levels of powerful vitamins, minerals, and health-supporting components.
Two Guys from Woodbridge offer organic, hydroponic produce including salad greens, microgreens and edible flowers. Their featured product is their first: mesclun mix with edible flowers.
Wave Hill Breads offers award winning hand-crafted artisan breads. “At Wave Hill Breads, we believe in making delicious, artisan bread with ingredients your grandmother would recognize, including many organic whole grains we mill at the bakery.”
Woodland Farm offers seasonal peaches, plums, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, donut peaches and nectarines.
Woodland Farm is a small family owned orchard located in the scenic hills of South Glastonbury. Established in 1963 by the Teveris family, it is currently owned and run by the 2nd and 3rd generation farmers. They grow apples, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, blueberries and cherries. In the fall they also make their own unpasteurized cider.
The Greenwich Farmers Market will run from May 18, 2024 through November 23, 2024.
Horseneck Lot is located at the corner of Horseneck Lane and Arch Street by I95 Exit 3.