New Haven Independent

That was the point of state Agriculture Commissioner F. Philip Prelli’s visit to the CitySeed farmers market outside City Hall.

He was promoting the first annual “CT Grown Challenge.” His department is asking people to buy at least one fruit or vegetable grown in the state this week.

And to make that a habit afterwards.

“We believe that once you have it every day, you’re going to continue,” he said, as he browsed the colorful stalls Wednesday at the weekly downtown CitySeed market.

In addition to the tomatoes, Prelli came away with fresh cucumbers and a pound of green beans, all grown in the Nutmeg State.

He invited Denise Appel (pictured) to shop with him. She’s a regular buyer of potatoes, tomatoes, greens, bread, eggplant and squash at the market.

Appel (pictured), renowned chef at Zinc, picks up all her produce for the Chapel Street restaurant’s summer and fall “market menu” at the local farmers markets. She also picks up 25 percent of the overall produce served at both the main restaurant and the new “Kitchen Zinc” spot in the building’s rear.

Prelli invited her because in the words of his spokeswoman, his department considers Appel a “rock star” in the campaign to promote healthful, local food.

Farmers markets are growing, Prelli reported: The number in the state has risen from 25 to 126 since 1986. And many more farmers are setting up stalls at the markets.

He bought a $2.50 tomato at CitySeed Wednesday. He said he doesn’t get to expense it. But he didn’t seem to mind.

Asked what Connecticut produce he likes best, he responded, “It depends on the season. Right now I’d say it’s sweet corn. In a couple of weeks the tomatoes will be great.”

Yvonne Mitchell’s preschool students agreed. She took her Olive Street Head Start class to the market as part of a CitySeed educational program. They tried string beans and other veggies; the kids said they were most excited about the corn they got to take home.

The biggest tomato at the market was walking around from stall to stall. His name is Tyquan Miller. He graduated from Common Ground High School this year; he heads to Ft. Benning in October to begin serving in the army.