A couple of weeks ago I posted some photos I took at the Collinsville Farmers Market. Today, I went back to meet and talk with those involved and to learn more about it. The Collinsville Farmers Market is located in the parking lot on the corner of Main and Front Streets in Collinsville and operates every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. during the summer months.
There are quite a number of farms participating in the market, all producing locally grown produce and goods. The Collinsville Farmers Market was conceived of and brought about by C.A.R.E. (Canton Advocates for Responsible Expansion). Sarah Strecker, an employee of Bristol's Farm and board member of the Farmers Market, was instrumental in helping get Live music and chef demonstrations.
Every week a chef from a local restaurant will demonstrate their cooking skills and create savory samples for market goers to taste. Each week also features a different local band which performs on the porch of the Canton Historical Society's building just across from the market. This week’s guest chef was Kei, from Rice Fields in Canton. Kei was preparing some fresh Sushi using the best and freshest ingredients. Kei has a secret sauce that was passed to him by fellow chef, Mr. Wong from New Haven. I must say it was quite tasty.
Bristol's Farm in Canton has the largest booth as well as variety of produce (see photos). Bristol's Farm is USDA Certified Organic Produce and of course Connecticut Grown. For the last 4 years Bristol's Farm has been leased and operated by Wild Carrot Farm LLC, Mark Palladino is the sole proprietor. Some of Bristol's produce includes; Patty Pan Squash, Japanese Cucumbers, New Potatoes, Hot Tomatoes, Savoy Cabbage, Mint, a variety of eggplants and floral bouquets. Everything at Bristol's Farms is hand planted, hand dug, and hand washed. Bristol's also offers fresh baked zucchini bread. The zucchini is grown on the farm and the bread is baked by the Foothills Delery in Pine Meadow.
Maple View Farm is also USDA Certified Organic. The farm is a CSA share operated by Mark and Carole Ganger and is located in Harwinton. CSA stands for Community-Supported Agriculture. Carole explained that customers purchase a share of the farms expected produce at the beginning of the growing season. Then each week they pick up fresh produce from the farm depending on what is ready for harvest. Carole said the customers are guaranteed a 16 week growing season and some years as many as 18 weeks. Mark and Carole have been operating the farm for 18 yrs and say that this year has been particularly good. Their stand offered plenty of squash, numerous varieties of lettuce, cabbage, Asian vegetables, eggplant, Radicchio, and Endive. Maple View Farm can be reached at (860) 485-0815.
MarWin Farm is a brand new farm operated by Joanne and Kenny Dahill and is located in New Hartford. MarWin Farm raises and sells live organically fed ducks and geese. I spoke with Joanne about how important it is for today's children to know and understand where our food comes from. She agreed and added that "if people knew what conditions are like in corporate poultry and meat packing plants, we would all be vegetarians". MarWin Farm also had a nice selection of Flowers, the Zinnias were sold out, and fresh herbs.
Hard Rain Farm is owned and operated by Tom and Carole Roberge and is located in Burlington. The stand offered a wide variety of produce, fruit and honey. The farm produces tomatoes, Rhubarb, Garlic, squash, fig trees, fresh eggs and live rabbits. Hard Rain Farm operates a stand on Spielman Hwy in Burlington and can be reached at (860)-675-3941.
The Canton Creamery is now under new ownership and operates an Ice Cream Stand at the Farmers Market. The Creamery makes their own organic ice cream in an assortment of flavors. Dana Mathies explained that they make 5 gallons at a time. The flavor of the ice cream depends on what fruit is in season, i.e. strawberries, blueberries, and other fruits. The Canton Creamery is located in Canton Center. In addition to ice cream cones, customers may purchase quarts and pints freshly packed. They also make their own waffle cones. They graciously offered me a delicious Chocolate Chip Cookie ice cream sandwich sprinkled with coconut flakes. Yummy!
Fresh Blueberries were also available from Burlington.
It was also great for me to see Dave Bristol, who once operated Bristol's farm. Dave employed me many years ago both on the farm and in his Collisvillle based machine shop.
I'd like to say thank you to all of those who took the time to talk to me today. Thank you. I think the Collinsville Farmers Market is great for more than just all of the wonderful produce and other products. It's the people who make it what it is. A great place to buy healthy locally grown food and meet and interact with others in the community. A nice way to spend a Sunday.
Richard