Farmers’ Market Offers Organic, Local Goods

By Kendra Bobowick

Roger Sprung’s quick banjo chords danced through bass and guitar strings Tuesday with musicians Frank Infurchia and Richard Hawthorne during the Sandy Hook Organic Farmers’ Market’s opening day.

Playing beneath an umbrella’s shade as shoppers selected ears of sweet corn, sipped organic lemonade, or sampled fresh pesto and tomato slices, the market’s first day was busy minutes after opening at 2 pm. Less than 30 minutes later, Jim Shortt of Shortt’s Farm and Garden Center said, “The corn pile is going down, you better hurry!”

Four hours later as the market prepared to close, crowds still perused the locally made goods. The market will run on Tuesdays through October from 2 to 6 pm. Market coordinator Mary Fellows greeted both guests and vendors Tuesday with her daughter Cleo Conk, who noted that some new vendors joined the returning crew.

Spinning sheep’s wool into bundles of yarn was Rose Garbien of Bittersweet Ridge in Roxbury. Enjoying the breeze and the shade, she set down the strands of wool and turned over cards with her sheep’s photos, pointing to the darker or lighter shades of wool saying, “This wool is from Roger, Isabel, Gabby, Ming…. Gabby is the ‘spokesperson’ for the flock. She always lets me know, especially when it’s time to eat.”

Across the lawn Sue Shortt joked with her customers that “every year [the sweet corn] is earlier and earlier.” Her supply came from a grower in Windsor Locks, and although the ears from the first pick were small, they look good, she said. “They’ll get bigger as the season goes on.” She is eager to grow popcorn, she said. “The kernels are for popping!”

Walking past were Nicole and Cindy DeFelice of Newtown, who enjoy the market every year. Pointing to one stand, Cindy said, “They have the best pesto.” Last season she had bought enough to last the winter, she said.

Whipping up samples of bread slathered with the pesto paste and topped with fresh mozzarella cheese were Jonathan Castano and Fernando Cardona of Stamford. They have had a spot in the market for the past four years.

Showing off his uncle Michael Agius’s handmade wooden bowls and decorations was Joseph Doherty at the Works in Connecticut Wood display. Next door, Lincoln Hill and Jacqueline DeWitt showed off kohlrabi, which Mr Hill described as “alien-looking.” He said the bulb, which grows above ground, has a mild-radish flavor. They sat behind displays of greens from Warrup’s Farm in Redding.

Friends Nicole Rotante, Becca Silveira, and Amanda Stanton touted The R Bar, a granola mix that could include coconut or peanut butter crumble. Shoppers enjoyed the free samples, they agreed. Adding another sweet treat to the day’s goods were John and Marion Mead of the Newtown-based Middlebrook Farm and Orchard. Their displays included fresh fruit jams.

Carly Borken of Waldingfield Farm from Washington said the weather and turnout for opening day were perfect.

Good for the stomach and also ready to quench guests’ thirst, Kathleen Fellows poured from containers of fresh organic lemonade or iced tea.

Visit the Sandy Hook Organic Farmers’ Market at Fairfield Hills on Tuesdays from 2 to 6 pm.