The West Hartford Farmers Market is open for business every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the corner of Arapahoe and LaSalle Road.
By Bridget Bronsdon
There’s a jackpot of farm fresh and locally sourced goods right under West Hartford’s nose, and it can be found on the corner of Arapahoe and LaSalle roads. The West Hartford Farmers Market, which is now in its 35th year, welcomes a host of vendors every Saturday for a morning of health and wellness, and what better way to start the weekend than with delicious produce and farm-to-table ingredients?
The market, which features colorful vegetables, fruit right off the vine, and a lifetime supply of sourdough, caters to all tastes. Looking to make a pasta dish? Farm-goers can find vodka sauce, perfectly ripe tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella. In need of a Saturday morning pick-me-up? The market offers unique coffee blends to satisfy every preference. For those with a sweet tooth, locally-sourced honey and sweet breads are just the tip of the iceberg, and to top it all off, a gorgeous display of sunflowers is available for purchase.
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
As for the vendors, they say customers are regular and dedicated. Nunz Corsino of Four Mile Farm in Old Lyme, CT, has been selling meat products at the market for 10 years.
“This is a very nice market, we do very well at it. We have a lot of regular people that come in and we’re getting a sampling of younger people that come in,” Corsino said.
While some vendors are veterans, others are just getting started. Aaron Walker of Gold and Green Farm grows microgreens and other produce and is in his first year at the market.
Although Walker is only two months in, his experience has been nothing but positive. “It’s very well attended and there’s a lot of loyal, regular customers and all the other farms and vendors are awesome too with a lot of great produce and products,” he said.
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
In addition to the delectable goods and loyal customers, Katherine Bruns, the West Hartford recycling coordinator is frequently in attendance to educate residents on recycling habits.
“We have a waste crisis in Connecticut,” she said, “We’re shipping 40% of our trash out of state and it’s not sustainable nor cost-effective to continue to throw away so much trash, so recycling is great but we also need to reduce what we throw away and we can make choices as consumers when we shop.”
According to Bruns, while customers come to the market in search of fresh ingredients, they often leave having learned something new.
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
The market will be open every Saturday until Dec. 21, so residents still have many months of opportunity left to check out the products; however, the delicious goods are worth trying sooner rather than later.
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Farmers Market. July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon
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