Granby Farmers Market Has Successful First Season

With September, and the summer season, finished for 2012 the Granby Farmers Market has wrapped up as well.

The market, which ran each Tuesday afternoon at the Farmington Valley YMCA from June 26 through Sept. 11, had a successful first year, according to market manager and YMCA nutritionist Alicia Newton.

“The Granby Farmers Market was a place that busy families could go to find everything they needed for a complete meal, get cooking tips and recipes and connect with those who are growing their food,” Newton said.

As part of the market’s farm to table philosophy, cooking demos from area chef Michael Webster showed attendees how to make full meals using only ingredients found at the market that week.

A total of 18 diverse vendors participated in the market’s first season. Farms including George Hall Farm in Simsbury, Sweet Wind Farm in East Hartland and Granby’s own Clark Farms at Bushy Hill offered a variety of produce and farm fresh foods. Chet’s Italian Ice and Tina’s Ice Cream offered frozen treats to keep visitors cool.

The market even featured non-traditional vendors like Back in Touch Wellness, Bicycle Repair Express and Free Lunch Studios. Those businesses all successfully used the market as a way to interact with the community and broaden their customer bases.

Rounding out the market’s broad scope was weekly entertainment from area musicians, bands and performers including Hannah’s Field, Marcey Hickey, Ken Hallar and Bill Benson.

One of the most satisfying parts of the market for Newton was the positive feedback she received from attendees.

“Many people found this to be a place that echoed the community around them and served as a reminder as to why they love living here,” Newton said.

Newton made sure to thank the market’s sponsors – the YMCA, Granby Pharmacy, Simsbury Bank and Apple Tree Children’s Center – and showed appreciation for the significant efforts of YMCA staff who “happily helped each week with set up and break down.”

Newton gave special recognition to the volunteer Farmer’s Market Committee, which included Eugenia Drake, Cara Donovan, Nick Costas, Sue Faulkner, Robin Batchelder, Michael Olivieri and Sarah Kleinman.

The market is already getting prepared for next year. Newton passed along this message for area residents interested in planning the market’s second season: If you would like to get involved in the planning for the 2013 season, please contact Market Manager Alicia Newton at 860-653-5524, extension 124.