| FEBRUARY 5, 2012 -- In addition to shorter days, chillier temperatures and a downfall of the white stuff, winter brings with it a colorful harvest of plants, produce and pies to brighten your cold days. Soups are a warm, savory choice for lunch or dinner, so why open up a can when you can construct your own locally grown meal? Connecticut’s winter farmers markets are perfect for staying healthy and well fed during winter, when a day’s exercise might be trudging to the mailbox and back. Shop these four markets for an inside look at our local crops that thrive in winter.
Norfield Grange
12 Good Hill Road
Weston, CT 06883
November 16 to April 16
Hours: Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
http://wintermarket-ct.com/blog/
Weston’s indoor and outdoor heated market is only in its second year of selling locally grown and produced goodies, but it has already established quite a reputation with its growing collection of vendors. Organized by Alexis Gazy of Oxford’s Gazy Brothers Farm, the market bears Gazy Farm’s own vegetables, as well as Norwalk-based Izzi B’s delicious, gluten and dairy free cupcakes and Springdale’s tangy and tasty Hoardable Hot Sauce. The grange hosts an eclectic group of Connecticut’s own creators. Stop into the tiny white house trimmed in red ribbon and garlands and you’ll leave with dinner, and then some.
Fairfield Winter Market
1873 Hillside Road
Fairfield, CT
Starting January 8
Hours: Sat 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Farmers, chefs, artisans of homemade, allergen-free soap and more gather together each January in the Greenfield Hill Grange to supply Fairfield County with winter’s finest farm fresh food. The Fairfield Winter Farmers Market is jointly organized by Nancy Moore of Moorefield Herb Farm and Lisa Agee of Goatboy Soaps. The Market brings roughly eleven vendors to the historic Grange each winter. Pick up one of the many varieties of tomatoes grown at Moorefield and stop by Beltane Farm’s for some aged and fresh goat cheese. You can even swing by Wave Hill Breads’ stand and have a sandwich! For the rest of your pantry-filling produce, Daffodil Hill Growers, Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm and more are happy to help.
Coventry Winter Market
2299 South Street,
Coventry, CT
November 23 to March 6
Hours: Sunday 11 a.m. -2 p.m.
http://coventryfarmersmarket.com/winter-market/
Tolland County may be a trek, but the winter harvest being concealed inside the Nathan Hale Homestead, from aged balsamic vinegar to all-natural beef, is more than worth it. Over 30 vendors set the scene in Coventry for the Farmers Market named “Best of the Best” by Boston Magazine, among other awards. Support the volunteer-run market and pick up some goodies, food or otherwise, specifically a cozy sweater from Bethany Homecrafts. Put your tongue to the test with some Dragon’s Blood Elixir hot sauce or enjoy some deliciously doughy bread at Farm to Hearth. With foodstuffs ranging from kettle corn to roasted coffee, you can’t go wrong at Coventry Winter Market.
Storrs Winter Farmers Market
4 South Eagleville Road,
Mansfield, CT
All Year Round
Hours: Saturday 3 p.m.- 6 p.m.
http://www.localharvest.org/storrs-farmers-market-M3812
The town best known for housing our namesake university is also home to another hidden treasure: the year-round Storrs Farmers Market. For 17 years, the Mansfield Town Hall has been hosting weekend markets, as well as mid-week mini markets, to dedicated conscientious consumers. The unique fare at the farmers market includes Storr’s own maple syrup, via Bailey’s Maple Syrup & Honey, squash or black currant juice from Chaplin Farm. Fresh flowers, wreaths, gourds and more can all be purchased at the weekly market. Skip the florist or Christmas Tree Shoppe, Storrs Farmers Market is the place to go for all food and festive decoration needs.
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