Welcome in Summer at Your Local Farmers Market

June 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.

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 West Hartford, Southington and the Farmington Valley. 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.

AVON FARMERS MARKET

Enford Place
Routes 10 & 44
Fridays, 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Mid-July - September

COLLINSVILLE FARMERS MARKET

4 Market Street
Collinsvillle
Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
June 12th-October 23rd

CONNECTICUT VALLEY FARMERS MARKET

18 Hartford Avenue
Granby
Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
June 10 - October 21

EAST GRANBY FARMERS MARKET

Corner of Routes 20 and 187
East Granby
Mondays, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.|
July 6  - September 28
Proceeds will benefit the East Granby Public Library.

HILL-STEAD MUSEUM FARMERS MARKET

35 Mountain Road
Farmington
Sundays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
July 10 - Oct. 23

SIMSBURY FARMERS MARKET

Simsmore Square
540 Hopmeadow St.
Simsbury
Thursdays, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. (until 6:30 p.m. in June)
June 2 - Oct. 13

SOUTHINGTON-PLANTSVILLE FARMERS MARKET

1003 S. Main St.
Plantsville
Fridays, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., weather permitting
July 8 - October

WEST HARTFORD FARMERS MARKET

La Salle Road public parking lot
West Hartford
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Thursdays, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
May - December

TROUTBROOK FARMERS MARKET

Whole Foods
50 Raymond Rd
West Hartford
Mondays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
June 6 into early November