Multiple canopies visible from Wasserman Way drew drivers' gazes toward the annual Newtown Farmers Market at Fairfield Hills in its new location - on a lawn just northeast of the main entrance to Fairfield Hills.

Beneath the many tents Tuesday, June 20, were vendors offering fresh produce, prepared foods, meats, herbs, baked goods, bread and pesto, lotions, creams, soaps, chocolate, pies and cookies, and organic herbal oils.

The market will be to open Tuesdays from 2 to 6:30 pm into October.

Regarding its new location, Jim Shortt of Shortt's Farm and Garden Center said, "We're very visible," and thinks they are in a better spot. In recent years the market was located straight ahead of the main entrance on a corner next to Newtown Municipal Center.

Daffodil Hill Growers of Southbury offered fresh herbs, salad greens, and popcorn. Tending the booth was Bailey Jackson, arranging sprigs of herbs. Aradiant Skin Care and Aradia Farms of Southbury, booths by Morgan Templeton, offered skin products, lotions, soaps, creams, fresh meats, and local maple syrup. Stella and Miranda Beard and friend Collin Fisher reached for the many bottles of Aradiant items.

Cautioning the children not to knock anything from down was Claudia Beard, who attends the market each year. She had enjoyed Chocolate Workshop LLC, which uses beans from around the world.

Waddingfield Farm from Washington, Conn., displayed an array of tender lettuces, sauces, and sweet sugar snap peas.

Next door was Pam Buchler, who had prepackaged goods for sale, including arugala with Vermont goat cheese and heirloom tomatoes, a French bean and snap pea salad, Thai coconut shrimp and jasmine salad, and more. Olivia Buchler, 14, helped guests Tuesday afternoon.

Aside from chocolate were other sweet treats, including pies and cookies from Oronoque Farms in Shelton.

Also among the vendors arranged in a loop was Shortt's Farm, where Anna Lawlor chose a bundle of kale. She likes kale, and likes when her children eat kale, she said. Admitting that she is a frequent shopper, she said, "I like to buy local," and looking at the Shortts and other merchants, she said, "These are good people."

Across from the Shortts' booth was an Herbal Apothecary touting Triple Goddess Remedies of all organic plant-based items grown in Alexandria Leigh's garden in Easton. With her this year is Stephanie Besson, offering gentle, healing massages, she said. Ms Leigh's herbs are used for natural salves, face masks, teas, body scrubs, and soaking salts.

For more information contact Market Master Sue Shortt at 203-426-9283.

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