Find Local Foods And More At Farmers' Markets

This past weekend we got to do one of my favorite summer activities -- stop by a local farmers’ market and wander around trying samples and seeing what local farmers had to offer.

We went to the Ellington Farmers’ Market, at . It was nice to see they have more vendors than in past years. I was on the lookout for corn, but I think I will have to get there earlier next week since the corn was sold out.

But we did pick up some delicious blueberries and some garlic goat cheese. I plan to head back next week for some local honey, hot sauce with local habanera and ghost peppers for my mom and corn on the cob.

I do not have a green thumb myself, but I enjoy fresh vegetables, I can remember eating corn and tomatoes right out of my grandfather’s garden. My grandparents in Pennsylvania had a garden for many years, with a rhubarb patch, tomatoes, corn, and snap peas. As a kid I enjoyed shucking corn with my dad or grandfather before dinner.

Shopping at a local farmers’ market is not only good for the local economy, it is healthy and also good for the environment, saving gas and shipping costs. Plus you get to sample tasty treats, the kids enjoyed maple peanut brittle and sweet pickles.

We are lucky in this area to have a number of local farmers’ markets where you can find vegetables, dairy products, eggs, cheeses, baked goods, meats and more. Some of them also offer local crafts, we saw jewelry and birdhouses in Ellington.

At the Ellington Farmers’ Market, July 14 is Safety Day, which will include car seat inspections, information on bike safety from the Tolland Bike Shop and fire safety from the .

Some local farmers’ markets include:

South Windsor: Open Sundays through Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Union School on Main Street. Find out more about the vendors at www.farmfresh.org/food/farmersmarkets_details.php?market=410

Ellington: Open Saturdays through Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon at Arbor Park on Route 286. Find out more at ellingtonfarmersmarket.com

Suffield: Open Saturdays through October from 9 a.m. to noon at the South Green, opposite the Kent Memorial Library. Find out more at suffieldfarmersmarket.com, vendors include Broad Brook Beef, which offers grass-fed beef; Easy Pickin’s Orchard of Enfield, which offers seasonal vegetables and greens; and in Suffield, which offers milk, soft cheeses, and yogurt.

Windsor Locks: This is the first year for the Windsor Locks Farmers’ Market, which will start Friday, and will be open Fridays from 2-6 p.m. through October, at the southeast corner of Dexter Plaza, near the Bickford Health Care Center, Main Street.  A few sites are still available for local farmers and vendors of Connecticut grown or produced goods.  For more information contact Mary Jane Perrier at 860-805-7622 or mjperrier@aol.com.