Farm Markets/Eats

Linda Nielson, editor of the new WFM 130-page plus cookbook.

“We believe that supporting our local farmers, food specialists and artisans develop our community and strengthens our state and our nation. Plus, locally produced food tastes better, too!”

While they last, get one of your very own for $10 at the Wethersfield Farmers Market at the Solomon Welles House, 220 Hartford Ave., Wethersfield (near the DMV and Cove Park), every Thursday, 3 to 6 p.m.; until 7 p.m. on every first and third Thursday of the month. Inside are recipes that call for “ingredients that can be purchased at any Connecticut farmers’ market.” Copies will also be available from the Wethersfield Town Clerk – and more are on order. (And there is possibly another edition in the future, so take heart, it may be possible to get your favorite recipe in the next book.)

“All of the recipes in this cookbook were submitted by the farmers and vendors that sell at our market, as well as the customers that frequent it. We hope you enjoy it, share it, spill on it and use it until the pages tear.”

Artwork by Susan Bosworth and Claire Lewis grace the cover and inside pages – and market organizers give special thanks to Linda Nielson, whose “passion for cooking and farm fresh food make this possible.” (Meet Linda at the market where she volunteers her time welcoming and helping people – but not the week of June 20, as it is time for her own annual family gathering.)

Dates for family-friendly events that also include meeting people who can help you learn more about raising critters of your own (meet local growers and producers, too) on our Ag Events page, linked here.

Frankie the store rabbit at A.S. Labieniec.

Urban Oak Organic Farm Market in New Britain, open Fridays, 2 to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – year round. Snag a bag of tender micro-greens or pick up some rub seasoning mixes for the grill. Fresh picks include collard greens, fig leaves for wraps, kale, tender lettuces; chives, cilantro, fennel leaf, rosemary and oregano, lemon verbena, several types of mint, plus thyme. Free-range eggs, Beltane Farm’s goats’ milk cheeses (very good). North End Farmers Market, Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the store on Main Street, Middletown. Food trucks plus samples and vendors with everything from soap to bird houses. Live music. Visit www.northendfarmersmarket.org for specials.

Frank W. Weston Rose Garden in Wethersfield.

CCC Feeds Farm Store in Manchester at Oakland Street fills their shelves and freezers full of fresh, local, farm and artisanal products. They also host special guests and events for the community. Watch for updates on the next one.

Looking for our “One Thing Found” – here’s a link to the new page of goods discovered on our travels. Be patient as the archive migrates over to the page and is linked to where to find these treasures.

The new Glastonbury Farmers Market Coalition first market day is June 29.

The “northeast front corner is the original part of the store, and upon looking carefully; it is easy to see where a newer section was added. A section to the very back, where the meat counter and office are, served as a post office stood for about 25 years until it was moved across the street in 1937.” That’s just part of the stories at G.M.Thompson and Sons Feed, located at the railroad tracks in Mansfield Depot. Pick up horse feed, bird seed, feed, dog or cat food or order up a grinder from the deli inside, which locals know and flock to – generous portions, fresh and made to order. Gardening must-haves, tools, poultry coops and the livestock and pet supplies you need. Nearby is the University of Connecticut and barns open to the public, a marvelous independent bookstore, a network of hiking trails plus the Storrs Farmers Market, Saturdays, 3 to 6 p.m. in front of the Mansfield Town Hall. Rain or shine.

Durham Farmers Market on the town green, Thursdays, 3 to 6 p.m. on the town green. Niantic Farmers Market every Thursday, 3 p.m., Methodist Street in Niantic, Conn., between Pro-Tek Auto and Niantic Cinema.

A new Connecticut Farm Map and website offers listings of 207 farm businesses with detailed directions to find each. Categories include agritourism, farmers markets, PYO, orchards, etc. Available at town halls and libraries or call Jane Slupecki at (860) 713-2588. Now where’s that app to integrate and connect nearby states and those smaller (busy with their business and farm) producers?

Markets and festival events at farms are a magnet for families and for those who want to grab some chow and take it home – or choose to partake of the good eats in an outdoor location – and do some people-watching.

Bishop’s Farm Market and Winery, on the Boston Post Road, Guilford, offers fresh produce and seasonal goods, a fully-stocked grocery, specialty products, sweet apple cider, delectable pies, breads, muffins, cookies, fudge – apple cider donuts and much more from their on-site bakery. Gourmet food and a wide selection of spices and oils. Fresh flowers, alpaca yarn, special events. Wine made from their fruits and farms in the state available seven days a week. Tours of the winery on Saturday. The annual Shoreline Wine Festival is hosted by Bishop’s on Aug. 10 and Aug. 11, 2013.

Higganum Village Farmers Market, Fridays, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the town green.
Coventry Farmers’ Market, Sundays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Nathan Hale Homestead.
Dudley Farm Farmers Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 2351 Durham Rd., Guilford. Ellington Farmers’ Market now on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, with more than 30 vendors, weekly themes and entertainment at Arbor Park, Main St.

Roses and other flowers are edible, did you know? (Of course, not if they are sprayed.) A report coming up on where to find them and how to learn about growing some – plus one memorable Dutch chocolate cake (baked from scratch) that was decorated with sugared violets.