June 7, 2023 @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Each year, vendors’ tents begin to pop up at parks and town greens across Connecticut as outdoor farmers’ markets return. Some markets open as soon as early spring vegetables are available, and all of them are in operation by mid-summer.
Nearly every community in Connecticut is home to at least one farmers’ market, providing a weekly pop-up destination to discover fresh CT Grown fruits, vegetables, meats, honey, and other products. These markets typically run through October, and sometimes carry on year-round with indoor winter markets.
Farmers’ markets are a convenient, inviting option for getting fresh, nutritious, and locally produced food. By using the following tips, you can also make it a very cost-effective experience.
Planning your purchases — and making discoveries
Just like you wouldn’t go to a grocery store without a shopping list, you shouldn’t go to a farmers’ market without a plan. Review the CT Grown crop calendar to see what’s in season, then make a meal plan around the fresh produce you’ll be able to pick up.
By preparing dishes with seasonal fruits and vegetables, you’ll be able to purchase the freshest possible produce. These fruits and vegetables carry higher levels of nutrients compared to out-of-season foods, which spend more time in transport and storage.
Planning meals with in-season items allows you to pick up most — if not all — of the necessary ingredients at the farmers’ market. However, you should also allow some flexibility in your meal planning in case your preferred produce is not available, or if you find something new you want to try.
Learning from CT Grown farmers
One major benefit of attending a farmers’ market is the ability to talk directly to the farmers who produced the food for sale. They can answer any questions about the items they’re offering and share tips on how fruits and vegetables should be prepared. Some farmers take the extra step of providing recipes that use items available from their farm.
Farmers’ markets often feature unfamiliar fruits and vegetables, or varieties that might not be available in stores. Farmers may offer samples of these goods so you can see if you’re interested in doing a full recipe with them.
Farmers’ markets are also a great place to discover specialty items that you may not realize are produced in Connecticut. Some lesser known CT Grown products include kiwiberries, emu and bison meat, persimmons, chokeberries, horseradish, chicory, and watercress.
How farmers’ markets can save you money
One common misconception about farmers’ markets is that they are considerably more expensive than shopping at the grocery store, making them accessible only to higher income individuals. In fact, several studies have shown that farmers’ market prices are comparable to those at retail locations. Farmers may lower their prices if they have a larger than expected harvest, or if their transportation costs are lower because a market is located close to their farm.
Other ways farmers’ markets can save you money include:
Reduced food waste: Farmers’ markets give you more choice over how much of a particular product you want to buy. Instead of purchasing a large container of tomatoes and watching half of them rot away, you can select a smaller quantity and easily use it up.
Longer lasting produce: Since the food you purchase at the farmers’ market has been harvested recently, it will last longer when stored properly. You can also look for “whole vegetables” — produce that hasn’t been trimmed back to improve its appearance — since they’ll have a longer shelf life.
Bulk purchases: Farmers’ markets offer the option of purchasing bulk quantities of a wide range of CT Grown goods. Farmers can also offer you tips on how to store, can, or freeze produce to keep it from going to waste.
Cash purchases: While smartphone apps are making it easier to accept credit cards, many farmers prefer to limit their farmers’ market transactions to cash only. This allows them to avoid paying a credit card fee, which in turn means the expense is not passed on to you.
Ugly produce: Plenty of fruits and vegetables don’t end up looking glamorous when they’re harvested, but are still perfectly good to eat. Since they’re less presentable, though, farmers are often willing to sell them at a discounted price. They’re also likely to cut prices on very ripe produce, which needs to be used as soon as possible, to keep it from going to waste.
End-of-day discounts: When the farmers’ market starts to wind down for the day, vendors may begin lowering prices to try to sell their last items. However, check the market rules first; some markets have rules prohibiting this practice, and haggling is also discouraged.
Using food assistance at the farmers’ market
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture strongly encourages people who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to use them at farmers’ markets. Most markets accept these benefits, allowing them to be used for the purchase of fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey. Some markets help these benefits go even further by doubling benefits for fruit and vegetable purchases.
The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is a seasonal benefit allowing recipients to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh cut herbs, and eggs only at farmers’ markets. Seniors may also use benefits to purchase honey in addition to the other products listed. FMNP is open to all WIC participants as well as seniors over the age of 60 who meet income eligibility requirements.
This year, Connecticut is transitioning its FMNP to provide electronic delivery of benefits. This will help make benefits more efficient for all participants and to increase the use of FMNP benefits. Participants can access benefits using a simple mobile app, or continue to use a physical card if they prefer.
To find a market that accepts your benefits, visit Farmers Markets (ct.gov)
Farmers’ markets to check out in Connecticut
The Bridgeport Farmers Market Collaborative: Set up to help prevent nutrition insecurity in Bridgeport, this collaborative oversees nine farmers’ markets throughout Connecticut’s largest city. In addition to regular benefits, the markets accept vouchers called “Bridgeport Bucks” that are sponsored by local businesses.
Chester Sunday Market: Every Sunday during the summer and fall, Main Street in Chester is transformed into an open air market featuring local farmers and crafters. Organizers also set up a community tent to showcase local organizations and share numerous recipes for visitors to explore.
CitySeed: This organization runs three summer markets throughout New Haven, with a focus on seasonal produce native to Connecticut. More than 50 vendors take part in these markets.
Coventry Farmers Market: One of the largest and best known farmers’ markets in Connecticut, this market is held on the historic Nathan Hale Homestead. The market places a strong emphasis on education, with programs changing each week.
Hartford Regional Market: For early birds only! Running on weekend mornings from 6 to 9 a.m., this market’s vendors concentrate on floriculture products like bedding plants and hanging baskets, but one can also find fruits and vegetables in season and fall products such as pumpkins, gourds, and mums.
Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market: The goal of this farmers’ market is to provide access to local, sustainable food systems. The market regularly features special guests including chefs, artists, musicians, and local nonprofits.
NECT Farmers Market: This organization, which has been active since 1980, organizes four market locations in northeastern Connecticut. Originally focused on providing locally grown fruits and vegetables, the markets’ offerings have expanded to include products like meats, soaps, pickles, and handcrafted items.
Niantic Farmers Market: Each week, this farmers’ market in southeastern Connecticut brings in a set of regular vendors as well as guest vendors. It also features a rotating schedule of food trucks and special activities.
Westport Farmers Market: Paul Newman was one of the founders of this market, and a frequent shopper there as well. The market is also unique in how it supports several programs covering everything from growing your own food to supplying CT Grown ingredients to local schools.
Willimantic Farmers Market: The longest running farmers’ market in Connecticut, this event has been providing fresh local food to the community since 1976. Vendors feature products like fruits, vegetables, and honey as well as specialty items like bakery products.
For more summer farmers’ markets, visit the CT Grown events calendar.
Connecticut Open House Day will be celebrated on June 10, 2023, and we’re delighted to see so many CT Grown attractions on the list of participants! Check out what’s going on at Connecticut’s farms, farmers’ markets, wineries, breweries, and distilleries during the day. Several museums and historic sites are also showcasing how agriculture has played a vital role in the state’s history.
Farms and producers
Ambler Farm, Wilton — Farmstand and Transplant Sale: Visitors are invited to check out Ambler Farm’s farmstand and transplant sale, which runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All seeds are grown in the greenhouse using an organic, compost based, biologically active potting soil and then tended to by Ambler Farm’s farmers and dedicated volunteers.
Boho Farm, East Haddam — Open House: Visit the farm animals, walk through the garden, visit the shop, and bring a lunch to enjoy at the picnic tables. Runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bradley Mountain Farm, Southington — Walking Tours: This historic farm will offer walking tours of its trails and pastures at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. After the tours, you can view the babies and goat families playing and relaxing.
Chakana Sky Alpacas, Chester — Visitors Welcome: Say hello to the farm’s 17 alpacas and share some treats with them. Visitors are also invited to stop by the “Pacatique” farm store. Runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Creamery Brook Bison, Brooklyn — Festival at the Farm: The Festival at the Farm features wagon rides to visit the farm’s bison, donkey rides, food trucks, craft vendors, and more. Admission is $5 per person. No dogs.
Glendale Farms, Milford — Visitors Welcome: Glendale Farms is a flower and horse farm specializing in flowering annuals and vegetable plants. The farm is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and welcoming visitors on Connecticut Open House Day.
Hogan’s Cider Mill, Burlington — Free Round of Mini-Golf: PGA golf pro Chet Dunlop and his wife Theresa Clifford Dunlop preserved this historic cider mill when they established the New England School of Golf on the back of the property, and it continues to produce sweet and hard ciders. Hogan’s Cider Mill is offering a free round of miniature golf to all visitors on Connecticut Open House Day.
Husky Meadows Farm, Norfolk — Guided Tours: Farmer Brett Ellis leads behind-the-scenes tours of the farm, including the farm kitchen and guest rooms of their Seed & Spoon Farm Stays.
Lyman Orchards, Middlefield — Free Children’s Program: Oboist Fing-Fei Khan and English hornist Charles Huang play a short concert at 10 a.m., inspired by poems, folk tales, folk songs, myths, and fables from around the world. At 11 a.m., they’ll perform an interactive concert (designed for ages 6 to 13) based on the fable of the Cricket and the Ant, teaching children the fundamental elements of music (tempo, pitch, and dynamics) through active listening, imagination, and interaction with the performers.
Smyth’s Trinity Farm, Enfield — Guided Tours: A walking tour of a fourth-generation farm that cares for a herd of 40 cows and bottles their own milk in glass. The tour visits the barns, pastures, and bottling facility.
Starberry Farm, Washington Depot — Visitors Welcome: Take a walk through this beautiful hilltop orchard and learn more about integrated pest management and tree fruit.
Stone Acres Farm/Yellow Farmhouse Education Center, Stonington — Culinary Demonstration and Tasting: The Stone Acres Farmstead provides a culinary tasting and demonstration between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., then offers a guided tour of the property from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
Strong Family Farm, Vernon — Tours and Tag Sale: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this nonprofit community farm —the last active historic farm in Vernon — will offer tours and have a “Junk in the Trunk” tag sale. Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., tours of the property will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. No pets.
White Gate Farm, East Lyme — Visitors Welcome, and Giveaway: Visitors are invited to explore the farm’s growing fields, beehives, trails, and tractors; you can also feed the lambs, hens, and chicks. The first 15 new people spending $25 or more at the farmstand (open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) will receive a free bag of White Gate Farm’s washed organic salad greens or a similar item. Please supervise children climbing on tractors.
Farmers’ markets
Litchfield Farmers Market, Litchfield — Saturday Market: The Litchfield Farmers Market will be open on Connecticut Open House Day with more than 15 vendors offering fresh local produce and goods. The market is held year-round, and this event will be the last indoor market of the season at the Litchfield Community Center.
Breweries, distilleries, and wineries
Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, Sandy Hook — Guided Tours: This vineyard and event venue is offering guided tours of the 40-acre grounds with the owner and winemaker. Tours will take place at noon and 6 p.m.
Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford — Free 4×4 Rides: Groups of up to five can enjoy a free 4×4 vehicle ride to tour the grounds of Gouveia Vineyards.
Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen — Discounts: Sunset Meadow Vineyards is offering a 10 percent discount on the purchase of 12 bottles, and is offering wine slushies for $10.
Two Roads Brewing, Stratford — Guided Tours and Vendors: Free brewery tours and taster glasses are available for visitors ages 21 and older. Two Roads Brewing will also have an outdoor vendor market and an evening concert featuring The C-Sides.
Waypoint Spirits, Bloomfield — Tours and Tastings: This distillery will be offering free tours and tastings of its Connecticut-made spirits.
Westford Hill Distillers, Ashford — Guided Tours and Discounts: Reserve a tour of this 200-acre property, New England’s first craft distillery, and enjoy a 50 percent discount on a tasting. Picnic lunches are welcome, but pets are not allowed.
Paradise Hills Vineyard, Wallingford – Discounts – Paradise Hill Vineyards, in honor of National Rosé Day, is offering a 10 percent discount on the purchase of their of Rosé selection: Washington Trail Rosé and La Bella Rosa.
Museums and historical societies
Atwood Farm Museum at Joshua’s Trust, Mansfield — Demonstrations: Learn more about 19th century farming at this historic farmstead. Demonstrations are ongoing from noon to 4 p.m.
Blue Slope Country Museum, Franklin — Free Admission: Open 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free admission. See historical agricultural tools and implements. Learn about the many aspects of farming and rural living from 1600s to 1950s. No dogs.
Brookside Farm Museum, East Lyme — Guided Tours: This museum gives a historical view of agriculture and domestic life between 1845 and 1955. On Connecticut Open House Day, it will be offering guided tours and a chance to meet the new curator.
Cheshire Historical Society, Cheshire — Strawberry Festival and Farming History: This house museum is located on the First Congregational Church Green, which will be hosting a strawberry festival on Connecticut Open House Day. Visitors are invited to see the museum for free and learn more about the town’s farming history.
Deacon John Grave House and Grounds, Madison — Antique Farming Equipment: Guided tours of this 1685 house, its gardens, and its Native Plant Walk will be provided between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The event will also feature a hearth cooking demonstration and display of Colonial farm tools.
The Dudley Farm Museum, Guilford — Visitors Welcome: This historic homestead maintains a small working farm with chickens, flower and herb gardens, and a community garden. Visitors are invited to tour the property and check out the weekly farmers’ market, running 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Friends of the Valley Falls, Vernon — Heritage Center Opening: A nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to improving Valley Falls Park and Valley Falls Park, Friends of the Valley Falls will debut its heritage center on Connecticut Open House Day. Explore the history of the “Gentleman’s Farm” and its historic buildings, including a stable, dairy barn, root cellar, piggery, and more.
Hands-On History & Free Family Fun, Lebanon — Agricultural Activities: Numerous hands-on activities are taking place at the Lebanon Historical Society Museum & Jonathan Trumbull Jr. House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. These include agricultural activities like grinding corn and churning butter.
Harwinton Historical Society, Harwinton — Antique Farming Equipment: The Harwinton Historical Society will be opening their 1840 one-room schoolhouse and barn to visitors, with antique farming equipment on display at the barn.
Hilltop Farm, Suffield — Open Barn Event: The Friends of Hilltop Farm welcomes visitors to explore this farmstead and its enormous white barn. Activities include a beekeeping demonstration by the Hampden County Beekeepers Association, an agriscience program on caring for chickens from Suffield Chicks, a vintage baseball game, and a scavenger hunt.
Nellie McKnight Museum, Ellington — Barnyard Babies Farm Day: Get an up-close look at baby farm animals. The museum also includes an exhibit on the farming history of Ellington. No dogs.
Shelton Historical Society, Shelton — Plant a Pumpkin Patch: Free admission from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors are invited to be a farmer for a day and help plant the pumpkin patch the old-fashioned way, then take home a seedling to nurture.
Stanley-Whitman House, Farmington — Garden Tours and Cooking Demonstrations: A historical interpreter at this c. 1720 historic house will present different styles of Colonial cooking throughout the day. The Dooryard Garden Society will also be on hand to talk about indigenous and colonial plants and how they were used for medicinal and culinary purposes.
Thankful Arnold House Museum, Haddam — Lavender Activity: Stop by this historic house and herb garden from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and learn how Widow Thankful Arnold used herbs, vegetables, and plants in her cooking, dyeing, fragrance, and medicine. Visitors will also have the opportunity to make a lavender sachet.
Windsor Historical Society, Windsor — Herb Garden Q&A: In addition to free tours, the Windsor Historical Society is presenting an “Herb Garden Q&A” from 10 a.m. to noon. Becky Hendricks, a culinary expert and herb gardener, will discuss commonly used herbs in early Connecticut.
A full list of this year’s participating organizations can be found on CT Visit.
June 24, 2023 @ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
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June 9, 2023 @ 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
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Pick-your-own season is back in Connecticut, as farms across the state invite you to select your own blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. This activity will continue throughout the season as new crops come into season. For the best experience, follow these helpful tips when visiting a CT Grown pick-your-own farm.
