Locavores have never had so many options to buy through farmers markets.
According to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture in the past 20 years farmers markets in Connecticut have increased by 500 percent. Six to ten new farmers markets sprout up every year in the state, and Buy CT Grown lists more than a dozen farmers market in New London County alone.
The majority of those farmers market are open only during the summer months but some such as the are open and thriving year-round.
“People are passionate about local foods because they know that local is fresh,” said Robin Chesmer, of The Farmer’s Cow, a group of six Connecticut family-owned dairy farms. “Farmers markets offer a place for people to find an abundance of Connecticut grown food as well as enjoy a connection to the community. Farmers markets are another benefit that local agriculture provides to the quality of life enjoyed by Connecticut residents.”
The growth of farmers markets in Connecticut follows a national trend. The United States Department of Agriculture reports that the number of farmers market across the county more than doubled between 2000 and 2011.
In Connecticut those farmers markets sell products from more than 400 Connecticut farmers and farms in state account for about 7 percent of the land.
“Farmers markets are having a strong and growing economic impact,” Ed Dombroskas, Executive Director of the Eastern Tourism District said.
Farmers Markets In New London County
Sundays, noon to 3 p.m.
June to November
Across from
120 Pequotsepos Road
www.denisonsociety.org/market.html
Mystic Farmers Market
Tuesdays 2 to 6 p.m.
May to November
, 50 Old Stonington Road
Stonington Farmers Market
Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon
May to November
Stonington Borough, Town Fishing Fleet Pier
www.sviastonington.org/what.htm#Farmers
East Lyme Farmers Market
Sundays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
July 20 to October
30 Chesterfield Road
Groton Farmers Market
Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
July to November
Groton Shopping Plaza, Next to the Post Office, Rte. 1
Ledyard Farmers Market
Wednesdays 4 to 7 p.m.
June to September
Ledyard Town Center, Fair Grounds
www.ledyardfresh.com
New London
Wednesdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
June to October
Downtown New London's Parade Plaza
http://www.newlondonfieldofgreens.org
Old Lyme Farmers Market
Fridays 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to noon
June to October
78 Bill Hill Road
Stonington Winter Farmers Market
Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
November to April
www.sviastonington.org/what.htm#Farmers
