Interview with the Director of the Westport Farmer's Market
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Building the Community Organically
The smell of juicy vegetables and dirty herbs fills the air. A steady buzz of lively chatter and children’s laughter waxes and wanes with the heat of the sun. A cool breeze carries the music and unites all who partake in this Connecticut mid-day heat at the Imperial Avenue Parking lot in Westport.
Westport farmers and residents alike come together each Thursday from May 26th -November 3rd to share in organic community building at the lively Westport Farmers' Market. Farmers from across the state travel to provide families with the sustenance needed to create healthy, organic lifestyles.
A young man wipes his brow as he offers a taste of an herb he is trying to perfect to a hungry visitor. Poison ivy covers much of his arms and his legs. His rosy cheeks beam with pride over this beautiful, green work of art.
Matt Oricchio began farming with his friend Jess Van Vlamprtynghe at the University of Connecticut a year ago. This past year they were able to find land and start a farm of their own in Westport, lovingly called "The Speckled Rooster".
"You have those tomatoes today?" a woman loudly questions over the hum of the crowd. "They are not fully ripe yet, but check out the farm over there and try some of these mixed greens," Jess responds with a radiant smile. "Alright, but I only like to buy my tomatoes from you," the woman responds. "You have the best tomatoes in Westport!"
The Westport Farmer's Market prides itself in connecting the local farmer with the people eating their food. The market also does an admirable job connecting the farmers with one another. Many farmers trade produce when they run out of certain items and the collaborative culture envelops even the youngest of growers.
“There is a really nice community being a part of the same market,” Jess says. “We can not only trade products when we need to, but we can also start up some great relationships.”
A relationship that really helped these two young farmers when they started last year was with another farmer, shockingly located right down the road from their farm. This farmer had a contract with Stew Leonard’s (a large grocery store) and was able to give invaluable advice to the beginners.
“The Speckled Rooster” joins the ranks of quality Connecticut farms that are gaining popularity and support through farmer’s markets across the state. Their farm is filled with a variety of vegetables, chickens, rabbits, ducklings, potatoes, fruits, and more just waiting to find a hungry stomach.
The farmer’s market has something for everyone in the community. From farmer's like those from "The Speckled Rooster" to unique events, lectures, projects, and opportunities for interested parents and their children. The market's weekly newsletter keeps people who are interested in and involved with the market linked to community building efforts.
For more information about The Speckled Rooster check out their page on facebook.
Also, be sure to check out westportfarmersmarket.com to join the fresh community of Westport.
Westport farmers and residents alike come together each Thursday from May 26th -November 3rd to share in organic community building at the lively Westport Farmers' Market. Farmers from across the state travel to provide families with the sustenance needed to create healthy, organic lifestyles.
A young man wipes his brow as he offers a taste of an herb he is trying to perfect to a hungry visitor. Poison ivy covers much of his arms and his legs. His rosy cheeks beam with pride over this beautiful, green work of art.
Matt Oricchio began farming with his friend Jess Van Vlamprtynghe at the University of Connecticut a year ago. This past year they were able to find land and start a farm of their own in Westport, lovingly called "The Speckled Rooster".
The Westport Farmer's Market prides itself in connecting the local farmer with the people eating their food. The market also does an admirable job connecting the farmers with one another. Many farmers trade produce when they run out of certain items and the collaborative culture envelops even the youngest of growers.
“There is a really nice community being a part of the same market,” Jess says. “We can not only trade products when we need to, but we can also start up some great relationships.”
A relationship that really helped these two young farmers when they started last year was with another farmer, shockingly located right down the road from their farm. This farmer had a contract with Stew Leonard’s (a large grocery store) and was able to give invaluable advice to the beginners.
“The Speckled Rooster” joins the ranks of quality Connecticut farms that are gaining popularity and support through farmer’s markets across the state. Their farm is filled with a variety of vegetables, chickens, rabbits, ducklings, potatoes, fruits, and more just waiting to find a hungry stomach.
The farmer’s market has something for everyone in the community. From farmer's like those from "The Speckled Rooster" to unique events, lectures, projects, and opportunities for interested parents and their children. The market's weekly newsletter keeps people who are interested in and involved with the market linked to community building efforts.
For more information about The Speckled Rooster check out their page on facebook.
Also, be sure to check out westportfarmersmarket.com to join the fresh community of Westport.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)