New Canaan Farmer's Market Opening Day

Each Spring, I anxiously await the opening day of our local Farmer's Market in New Canaan, Connecticut. All the fresh local produce is a welcome sight, and I love seeing my friends at the farmer's market. Not only is it nice to say hi to my favorite vendors, but after squirreling up for the winter, it's a great place to see people in my community. It's especially fun to see who the new vendors are each Spring. There are over 100 farmer's markets in Connecticut so if you're traveling anywhere in the state, you are bound to find one.

This past Saturday was the first day our farmer's market was open, and the weather was just glorious. First, I took a tour around the market to see what everyone was selling, picking up a few items along the way. Then I loaded up my car so I was hands-free and could take some pictures to share with you all (some of the photos are from last year but I never got around to posting them).

I met a few of the new vendors (more will be coming), including Butterfield Farm Company, maker of goat's milk body products and a variety of goat cheese products, Unbakeables, creator of egg-free cookie dough that can be eaten raw, and Eastern Cookie Bake Shop, baker of healthy, artisan wheat bread, gluten-free bread and sweets (I had a sample of her gluten-free brownies - they were incredible, made with brown rice flour, garbanzo flour and cocoa), and raw desserts.

Of course, I am always happy to see all the old timers as well as the return of more recent vendors to the market:

Gazy Brothers Farm - farm fresh produce; co-owner Alexis Gazy is the Market Master for the New Canaan Farmer's Market

Riverbank Certified Organic Farm - organic farm fresh produce, plantings 

Stone's Throw Farm - organic farm fresh produce; Gwyneth's Baby Asian Greens and German white garlic are some of my favorites (I did not see Gwyneth there this weekend, but hope she is coming back)

Shortt's Organic Farm - organic farm fresh produce from Sandy Hook, CT

Plasko's Farm - farm fresh produce, cider donuts and condiments

Smith Acres - farm fresh produce

Greyledge Farm - all natural, pasture-raised meats  

- artisan breads, fresh pesto and mozzarella  

Whistle Stop Bakery - cookies, bar cookies, pies, quiches and more  

Du Soleil - healthy, gourmet fresh-made dips and salads; this week featured homemade empanadas

Michele's Pies - award-winning handmade pies and other baked goods

Mamacat's Q. Tea - premium, organic hand-blended herbal teas

Connecticutly Grown Hoardable Hot Sauce - hot sauce made with locally grown, pesticide-free herbs and vegetables  

Raus Coffee - farm to roaster coffee, signature coffee drink - the Cold Roman

Pasta Heaven/Bonga Capacci - fresh ravioli and lasagna

Dream Desserts - gluten-free dessert bars (I did not see them on Saturday, but hope they are returning)  

Skinny Pines - mobile wood fired oven serving pizzas

Goatboy Soaps - hand-crafted soap made with goat's milk  

Smyth's Trinity Farms - farm fresh chocolate milk, yogurt, butter  

There are more new vendors to come, and I look forward to meeting all of them. Meanwhile, enjoy this family tradition that we make at the start of the Farmer's Market season - what I call the Farmer's Market Sandwich, so simple, yet so satisfying.