Farmers Corner the Market

Written by Wendy Mitchell

Summer is almost upon us and farmers across Connecticut are gearing up to share their local produce, dairy, breads and more with hungry locavores at weekly farmer’s markets.  Most of the merchants sell products that are grown or made in Connecticut.  

Many of the markets have live music, children’s entertainment, special events and guest speakers. Many of the stands only take cash for cheek for payment. Check your local market’s page for detailed information.  

Monroe’s seasonal farmer’s market kicks off on June 20, 2014 and runs every Friday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. from June through October. Located on the Monroe Town Green, on the corner of 6 Fan Hill Road and Route 111, the market is a popular destination for families. This year’s vendors include:

*Information provided by Monroe Farmer's Market

Beldotti Bakery, Norwalk 

Homemade breads, pesto, mozzarella cheese and tarts. Fresh tomato, pesto and mozzarella sandwiches. For over 25 years Beldotti Bakery has been creating delicious baked goods. In 2010 Beldotti was the winner of the Connecticut Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award. 

Carl Anthony Trattoria, Monroe  

Fresh, made-to-order wood-fired brick oven pizza in unique combinations like mashed potato, caramelized onion and bacon, and fig and prosciutto. Order a pie and enjoy it at the market or take some home for a quick and easy Friday night dinner! 

Carrot Top Kitchens, Redding 

Carrot Top Kitchens makes jams, jellies, a variety of pickles, chutney, hummus and soup (including a spicy gazpacho) with Connecticut ingredients. 

Connecticut Gourmet, LLC, Windham Center 

Connecticut Gourmet makes a variety of unique, artisanal breads with local ingredients sourced from farms and producers all over the state. Farm-fresh products like cranberries, goat cheese, whole milk, butter, nutmeg, honey, stone-ground wheat, herbs and beer bring amazing flavor to hearty, dense loaves. 

Fresh Pastabilities, Redding  

Homemade pasta, ravioli, manicotti and sauces made with Connecticut-sourced ingredients. 

Gazy Brothers Farm, Oxford 

Gazy Brothers carries a large selection of vegetables and fruit, potted flowers and fresh cut herbs and greens. In its fourth generation of family farming, Gazy Brothers produces approximately 25 acres of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Although not organic, the produce is grown using an integrated pest management program which reduces the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals to ensure healthy plants and flavorful produce. 

Guy’s Eco-Garden, Shelton  

Certified Organic fruits and vegetables.

Huckleberries Artisan Pastries 

Huckleberries Artisan Pastries is a "micro baking" business specializing in seasonal desserts including wheat-free fudge brownies, 6-inch seasonal pies, assorted cookies, 4-inch tarts, galettes, and seasonal and holiday specialties. Whenever possible, their eggs and produce are sourced from local farms and offerings change with the seasons. This insures that the flavors are always at their peak of quality and freshness. Huckleberries bakes out of a small commercial kitchen and products are sold at local farms and farmers' markets. Pre-orders and special orders are available by request. 

Mitchell Farm, Southbury 

The oldest working farm in Connecticut, Mitchell Farm grows an impressive variety of fruits and vegetables on 500 acres in Southbury. 

Molly and Murphy All Natural Irish Biscuits, Trumbull 

Lip-smacking, tail wagging, hoof stomping Irish Biscuits for your dog or horse are homemade in Connecticut from premium all-natural ingredients and baked daily to ensure freshness and satisfaction! 

Olive Oil Factory, Waterbury  

Kosher and organic private-label extra virgin olive oils and vinegars flavored with local herbs and bottled in Connecticut. 

Pepe's Cream of the Crop, Stratford  

Fresh, hard shell clams harvested from the waters off Stratford, Connecticut. 

Pond View Farm, Monroe 

Fresh vegetables including eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes and corn, from only a mile away! 

Rowanwood Farm, Sandy Hook 

Rowanwood sells roving and homespun yarns, including some home-dyed fiber and they frequently set up a spinning wheel to demonstrate how yarn is spun.  Rowanwood Farm is a responsible breeder of goats, sheep and alpaca. They have an active dairy where they harvest and sell the natural products that are produced from their animals, including yarn and goat's milk soap. 

Sugar Maple Farms, Lebanon 

Sugar Maple Farms has been harvesting honey and making quality syrup, maple peanut brittle, mustard, rubs and other maple products in Lebanon for over 20 years. 

Truelove Farms, Morris 

Truelove is a small sustainable farm focused on using natural, grass-based practices to ethically raise beef, pork, eggs and poultry. They use absolutely no hormones or antibiotics and all of their animals are brought up on pastureland for a better quality of life and a higher quality product. 

Waterview Farm, Monroe 

Owner Frank Schrodl, Jr. considers his farm a “hobby”, even though he raises chickens, llamas, alpacas, goats, peacocks and ducks. He grows tomatoes, zucchini, beets, radishes, eggplant, peppers and sells chicken eggs, which range in size from small to extra large. 

Webb Ridge Farm, Monroe 

Seasonal vegetables grown right here in Monroe using Biodynamic Farming methods and practices. No pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used on their plants or in their gardens. All of Webb Ridge’s seeds are selected Certified Biodynamic and Organic to ensure healthy, nutritional vegetables. 

So grab your friends, family, reusable bag and enjoy your local harvest! 

For more information on Monroe's Farmer's Market, please click here. Bon apetit!