According to Walt Gajewski, his favorite aspect of being the Market Manager of the Farmington Farmers Market is the connection to his community. “The market is vital and essential to community life,” he explains. From walking group meet-ups to police department-hosted pancake breakfasts, the market in Farmington showcases a community that values local food.
So what will you find when you head to the market? Fifteen anchor farmers, offering sustainable and organic options, will stock their tables with asparagus, rhubarb, microgreens and plant starts when the market opens in May. Beyond that, you’ll find freshly caught lake fish, locally raised and butchered beef, and ready-to-eat foods from Polish cuisine to Middle Eastern baked goods. From 10 am to 2 pm, the market becomes even more vivacious with a variety of local live music!
The shopping experience is underscored by the sense of community brought together with special events throughout the season. Head to the market on June 8th for Children’s Day and the start of their Power of Produce (PoP) Club for kids, where littles are invited to taste tests and more. On June 22nd, show up for one of the most popular days of the season, celebrating in-season fruit with ‘Strawberry Shortcake Day!’ On August 10th, mark your calendar for the 18th Annual Farmers Market Elks Community Corn Roast, in which all proceeds go to a community scholarship fund. To wrap up the season, a Haunted Market on October 26th celebrates the end of the harvest in a fun and spooky way!
Gajewski holds fond memories of this community coming together in good times and bad. When the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic rocked the food world, volunteers reviewed safety policies and came out of their bubbles to sustain the market as a vital element to downtown Farmington. “The volunteers all had personal choices to make, and they all came forward to help,” he recalls. Today the safety protocols are more relaxed, but the spirit of togetherness remains.
You can learn more about the Farmington Farmers Market, including more information about weekly happenings and vendors, on their new website, or follow along on social media!
This article was written in partnership with the Farmington Farmers Market.
Claire Butler is the Content Strategy Specialist for Taste the Local Difference. Contact her at [email protected].