New Farm Market Up and Running

All you need are your pots and pans, and a good knife.

When you stop by the new Branford Alps Farm Market, you can come away with the fixings for the perfect gourmet, organic meal. And then some.

Keep in mind that these are local farmers, who are not growing the year-round crops of the factory farms in California. As a result, the produce they’re offering is seasonal to Connecticut, and yes, the prices are higher. You’re just not going to find Connecticut-grown blueberries and zucchini in June.

Branford’s first open-air farm market opened June 11 at the former Echlin parking lot between Alps Road and West Main Street, and is offering a wide selection of fresh produce, baked goods, dairy products and more on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 29. 

The market has been established with help from the Branford Community Foundation under the direction of Martha Maguire, market manager, and Walter Maguire, her husband, who owns an adjacent business on the former Echlin property.

Judging by the crowds at the first two events, it’s a strong success.

Selections are Seasonal

People need to keep in mind that the selection of produce will change as the summer progresses. Lots of the tender, leafy greens are out now. Tomatoes are just starting to come into season and it’ll a few weeks before corn is ready.

Indeed the offerings at the market are a bit pricier than Stop & Shop or Big Y, but where else can you meet face to face with the people who grew the food on display? Carve out a few dollars each week and try something special for your table. 

Last Thursday, the ​“big top” tent was lined with farmers selling Connecticut-grown produce, as well as vendors offering dairy products, jams and maple syrup, baked goods, and even chicken and pork. Vegetable seedlings are available to those planting their own gardens. A few select craftspeople also have spots.

Food Stamps Accepted

To make fresh produce available for those who may have limited incomes, Maguire explained that they will double food stamp dollars up to $15 per person, which means that they can buy $30 worth of produce. They are also accepting WIC and senior FMNP coupons. Maguire said on the first market $240 in food assistance was given to 12 people.

The market is a mecca for produce that is USDA-certified organic. Starlight Gardens, for example, offered collards, kale, beets, chard, radishes, and a head of lettuce for $3 a bunch. Mixed greens and arugula were $1 an ounce – keep in mind that an ounce will go a long way. On the pricier side cucumbers were $9/pound, but a smallish one can be a nice addition to the mixed greens and not break the bank.

Stony Creek’s Medlyn’s Farm offered the first tomatoes of the season, which were a $1 each. But if paired with fresh basil from a plant purchased the week before, and some fresh mozzarella cheese, and yes, a splash of good olive oil and balsamic vinegar, it could be lunch.

Add to that a slice of hearty honey oat bread from the Artisinal Baker and you could have a satisfying light supper. Yes, the bread is $7 a loaf, but you can freeze half of it if you’re not going eat it right away.

On the other hand, the bread might go pretty quickly if you slather it with jam from Connecticut’s Best Jams. 

Even the carnivores in the crowd will not want for a good meal. GourAvian Farms offers chickens bred for the organic, free range, and specialty markets. Whole roasters are $4.50/pound, breasts, $7/pound, and legs and thighs are $6/pound.

TrueLove Farms was selling pasture-raised pork: loin chops at $11/pound, loin roast at $10.50/pound, fresh ham steaks at $8.50/pound and ground pork at $10/pound; various kinds of sausage ran from $8.50 to $9/pound.

On the dairy side of things, Beltane Farm of Lebanon offered Goats milk cheese, a popular delicacy, while Smyth’s Trinity Farm of Enfield was selling its own milk, cream, butter, yogurt, kefir, and fresh cheese.

Pasta lovers can experiment with the likes of garlic parsley fettuccini from Mama Del’s of East Haven at $4.25/pound and their own Marina sauce at $7.25 jar.

Maguire explained that some of the vendors will be changing from week to week, and craftspeople and non-profits, such as Roses for Autism, as well. She said ​“beginning farmers” such as Circle Farm are selling seedlings, adding that for three of the farmers, it was their first experience at a market. Established vendors are also doing markets on other days.

Some farmers also sell at the Clinton Farm Market and they’ll be back later in the season. There are also random fill-ins such as vendors who sell goat milk soap and jams. Craftspeople such as Tina Dodge, who was selling terrariums…

And a vendor selling trunks made from old boxes from the Stanley Works in New Britain, fill in empty slots.

Food Trucks, Too.

Also with the vendors, there are food trucks, including the Caseus Cheese Truck – rumor has it they make wickedly good toasted cheese sandwiches. High Tide Gourmet (seafood) and Bowl’d Creations (acai bowls and smoothies) were also there.

Different musicians each week also liven things up.

And, next Thursday, July 2, there will be a literary addition when the Blackstone Library sets up shop. The library’s booth will feature information about summer events for adults, teens, and kids, plus people can sign up for a library card, borrow some books on organic gardening, and check out a demo of online resources.

“We don’t get any money based on sales,” Maguire said. ​“We want the farmers to do well.” She said that the capital expenses outweigh the fees at this point.

She said she’s very excited for the farmers. ​“Only 3 percent of the food we eat is grown in Connecticut.” Part of her mission is to educate people about what’s going on in Connecticut and to get them to try new things.

“We want families to bring kids to learn about the farm experience and make healthy foods a family experience.

“Many people will come for the corn and tomatoes,” she said, but she would also encourage them to try the broccoli rabe and bok choi.

Expansion of the Branford Alps Market will not be possible in the foreseeable future since zoning regulations limit the operation to just four hours, one day a week.

For more information, visit the market’s website. The market is also on Facebook with more information and photos about its vendors.

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