Main Sections

Local Farmer’s Market Offer A Variety Of Home Grown Foods And Crafts

Tuesday May 29, 2007

By Ann Kensek

   The Middlebury Farmer’s Market, Addison County’s largest, will open on Saturday, May 26 at 9a.m. The Market has about 50 vendors this year covering a broad range of offerings. Shoppers can expect to find meats such as lamb, beef, chicken and pork, a variety of cheeses, vegetables, fruits and crafts. In the past those attending the market have also enjoyed entertainment such as craft demonstrations, basket weaving, cheese making contests, and Middlebury’s version of “The Iron Chef”, where local chefs were invited to create meals from items found at the market.

    “People like coming because they say they can do their grocery shopping,” said Bay Hammond, secretary for the market. With an average of approximately 1,000 visitors on an average Saturday, “ It is a great place to meet and greet”, said Hammond. “People love seeing everyone there. It’s become an event.”

    The Middlebury Farmer’s Market works with the Middlebury Business Association to help form a more unified group and support each other in various events.The Market runs Saturdays from 9-12:30, May 26 through Oct. 27, and Wednesdays from 9-12:30, June 20-Oct. 10, at the Marbleworks in Middlebury.

    Like Middlebury, the Vergennes and Bristol Farmer’s Markets also work with the business community. The Vergennes Market, which opened on Mother’s Day, works with the Chamber of Commerce and participates in French Heritage Day in July and the Vergennes Day Celebration in August. A smaller market, Vergennes offers an increasing variety of goods as the season progresses and fruits and vegetables ripen. “Our population swells in the summer when the lake people come,” said Karolyn Lalumiere, Market Manager. “Our market has been going for 14 years now. It’s been different sizes over the years, but the core vendors have hung in there.” Lalumiere encourages people to visit the market on the green between 9 and 1 on Saturdays. She also would love to hear from crafters and others interested in joining the market. You can reach Karolyn at 877-2572. The Market runs from Mother’s Day through late October.

    The Bristol Farmer’s Market begins Wednesday, June 13. They expect about 16 vendors, including three large farms, several smaller farms, three different types of baker and several new crafters. Musicians will be present each week to provide entertainment during the market. Additionally, there will be more prepared foods than in years past, to encourage people to stay at the park and enjoy the Wednesday night band concert, which begins at 7p.m.

    “We’re promoting the market and local shops as ‘Buy Local in the Bristol Downtown’ area, hoping businesses will stay open later and have other special things going on,” said Bristol’s Market Manager, Olga Moriarty. “The Five-Town area is very supportive. In the past the Market hasn’t necessarily met everyone’s expectations. This year we hope the changes will meet those expectations. The growth and variety may surprise people.”

    The Bristol Market is still signing people. Anyone interested in participating as an entertainer or a vendor can contact Olga at 453-3001. The Market runs Wednesdays form3:30-6:30, June 13-Oct. 10 on the green in Bristol.   

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives