Two Months Until Farmers Market Opens for Season

June 12 is two months away but Canton Advocates for Responsible Expansion has nearly all the details worked out for the seventh year of its farmers market in downtown Collinsville.

From its humble beginnings with five vendors in the gravel lot below the Canton Historical Museum, the market has grown to 15 full-time vendors this year in the town hall parking lot. The market will be held on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The whole thing really blossomed and the community really supported,” said Mary Engvall, marketing chairperson and vendor liaison for the market.

Two years ago the market moved to the Town Hall lot. “We were able to double the size,” Engvall said.

The move gave the market more room. It also gave a boost to the musical component, Engvall said. While musicians had played on the porch of the museum, the outdoor deck at Downright Music and Art provided the perfect place for market entertainment. The store also helped market volunteers find musicians.

The market has grown to include more vendors, music and some cooking demonstrations. And while a craft vendor will be featured in spring and fall and some “value added” items like breads and jams are available,  Canton Advocates for Responsible Expansion  is intentionally keeping the focus on local farm products.

“We really wanted to support the idea of agriculture as a smart land use in Connecticut,” Engvall said. “We are very much a growers market.”

The group does look for a good mix of products, she said. Featured this year will be certified organic farmers, conventional producers, naturally raised meat and poultry, berries, goats milk products and much more.

The market also plans to do more with promotions, including a Facebook photo contest and increased advertising.

Volunteers are also needed Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. To express interest or find out more, e-mail collinsvillefarmersmarket@gmail.com.

While Canton Advocates for Responsible Expansion does have representatives at the market who will answer questions, the group is not looking to use it as a forum for other issues, Engvall said.

It is, however, thrilled to support downtown Collinsville, which was “smart growth” before the term existed, she said

“”It still makes sense today,” she said. “The other thing we really wanted to do is support the downtown, walking village community.”

CARE president Tom Sevigny agrees. 

“It not only helps the farmers in the general Canton area but also the merchants in the downtown Collinsville area by bringing in roughly 1,000 visitors at the height of the market,” he said.

David K. Leff, resident, author and member of the Collinsville Historic District Commission, agrees the market is good for Collinsville’s economics, local food and friendship.

“The fresh produce is good for the body and the chance encounters there with friends and neighbors is good for the soul,” he said.  "It’s as much about community as it is about food and both are delicious."

Sevigny said the market is also working on designing permanent signs that will advertise the market as well as the stores in the downtown area. The hope is to put them on Route 179 and the group is working with the town on that effort, he added. 

Keep up with the market at www.collinsvillefarmersmarket.org and www.facebook.com/collinsvillefarmersmarket1.