Hill-Stead's Farmers Market
The Art of Locally Grown

Every Sunday, 11 am–2 pm
July 1–October 14, 2012

Hill-Stead's Farmers Market returns in 2011 for its third season. Over 20 state farmers and vendors will provide the community with an array of locally grown, fresh and organic vegetables, fruits, dairy products, naturally raised beef, veal, pork and lamb, baked goods, flowers, wool and Angora goat yarns, soaps and Connecticut-landed seafood. Local musicians will stroll the grounds entertaining market shoppers and vendors. In 2010, Hill-Stead Museum's Farmers' Market welcomed over 11,000 patrons who came to shop and visit with friends and stayed to enjoy all that Hill-Stead has to offer.

See our Market Master's TIPS for making the most of your visit!

Hosting a Farmers Market complements Theodate Pope Riddle's vision of Hill-Stead, which she designed and ran as a fully operational dairy farm and orchard from 1901–1946. The new market will provide the community with easy access to fresh, locally grown produce, give support to local farmers, and offer new patrons the opportunity to learn about Hill-Stead's wonderful collections and resources.

EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS, FRIENDS OF THE MARKET
Hill-Stead will continue to introduce broader educational components to the market, such as cooking demonstrations, nutritional & alternative energy presentations, and live farm animals. There will still be live, "unplugged" music, and museum grounds are open and free to the public for walks and picnics.

Our "Friends of the Market" program will be back this year to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of the Farmers Market. In exchange for a donation ($25 minimum), market patrons will earn "Friend of the Market" status. Friends receive a market logo pin to wear on market days, identifying them as a Friend and qualifying them to receive special weekly discounts from the Farmers/vendors all season. It's good for the Friends, the Farmers and the Market!

Download a Friend of the Market Application Form (PDF)

NEW in 2011— The bottled water sold at this year's market supports water4water, a non-profit organization that raises money to create sustainable water projects in Sierra Leone and Mali, Africa.

To find out more about Business Sponsorship Opportunities & Benefits, download our 2011 Farmers Market Business Partnership PDF

To become a Business Sponsor of Hill-Stead's Farmers Market, download our Sponsor Application (PDF)

If you have further questions or difficulty downloading any of the above, contact Peggy Hall at 860.677.4787 ext 110 or hallp@hillstead.org

Farmers Market bags made possible by a 2010 grant from The Look-Out Fund.

2011 Farmers Market Vendors

Bantam Bread, Bantam
Natural, organic breads (semolina, multigrain, French...), "Dirt Bombs"

Barden Farm, New Hartford
Vegetables, corn, eggs

Belltown Hill Orchards, South Glastonbury
www.belltownhillorchards.com
Fruits (cherries, blueberries, table grapes, apples, peaches), apple cider donuts / Wind-Gait Farm at Belltown
Angora goat yarn, goat milk soaps

Beltane Farm, Lebanon
www.beltanefarm.com
Goat milk cheeses

B'Udder Bar LLC, West Simsbury
www.budderbar.com
Goat milk soaps, lotions, facial products

Chet's Italian Ices, New Britain
www.chetsitalianice.com
Fresh, homemade Italian ices, made from locally grown fruits

Eagle Wood Farms, Barkhamsted
www.eaglewoodfarms.com
Naturally raised, hormone- and antibiotic-free beef, veal and pork

George Hall / Ogre Farm, Simsbury
www.georgehallfarm.com
Organic vegetables, free-range eggs

GeoRoots Solar Growth Farm, North Canton
Facebook link: GeoRoots Solar Growth Farm
Asian and Mediterranean greens, herbs, heirloom potatoes

Gulf Shrimp Co., Planstville
www.gulfshrimpco.com
Connecticut-landed seafood including oysters, clams and scallops

Little Something Catering, Southington
Quiches, French toast casseroles, stuffed breads, soups

MarWin Farm, New Hartford
www.marwinfarm.com
Fresh, organically-fed chicken, turkey, duck, guinea, rabbit

Sankow's Beaver Brook Farm, Lyme
www.beaverbrookfarm.com
Lamb, sheep & cow milk cheeses & sauces, wool

Shenstone Gardens, South Glastonbury
Vegetables, peppers, eggplant, seedless watermelon

Syme Family Farm, Broad Brook
www.symefamilyfarm.com
24 varieties of flowers, bouquets, potted herbs, garden planters

Urban Oaks Organic Farm, New Britain
www.blog.urbanoaks.org
Organic vegetables, herbs, heirloom tomatoes / Boxed Goodes, Litchfield: www.boxedgoodes.com – organic herb and spice grinders, exotic grains, rices, heritage beans

Wave Hill Breads, Wilton
www.wavehillbreads.com
French breads, Just Crust chips, croutons

Woodland Farm, South Glastonbury
www.woodlandfarmllc.com
Fruits (peaches, apples, plums, pears, raspberries, etc.), jams, cider

Special Thanks

Hill-Stead Farmers Market is delighted to have formed partnerships with several local businesses. These relationships help sustain the market.

Cultivators: Boxed Goodes; Quinoco
Plowman: Chet's Italian Ice; Walker Systems Support
Harvester: The Meat House
Tillers: FastSigns (Bristol); Omar Coffee
Additional Thanks: Max's Oyster Bar (West Hartford); The Robert & Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation, Inc.; The Look Out Fund; Mintz & Hoke Communications Group for graphic design of the Farmers Market logo, 2009.

Farmers Market launch in 2009 made possible with support from the CT Commission on Culture & Tourism.

FMNP (WIC) authorized.

TIPS for making the most of your visit to Hill-Stead's Farmers Market

1. It's a good idea to have some cash on hand in case your farmer doesn't take credit cards.

2. Be green and bring a market bag or purchase one – canvas market bags will be sold at the Hill-Stead Information Table.

3. Have a cooler and ice pack in your car so that you can enjoy the day at Hill-Stead. Beyond the Farmers Market, the museum, garden and hiking trails await your exploration! There are also picnic tables, so plan to take a walk and then enjoy your market goodies at a picnic area on site.

4. Get to know your farmer! Ask how the food is grown, when it was picked, what it is! You will meet many varieties that you've never seen before. Our farmers are friendly and love to chat about what they grow.

5. Ugly is beautiful! Many of our farmers grow heirloom varieties of tomatoes, potatoes, beans and cucumbers, and they don't look the same as commercial veggies that are bred for uniformity. Heirlooms are individuals – 'ugly' is beautiful and often of superior taste!

6. Come to the market with an open menu plan. Plan your weekly meals around what is available at the farmers market for the most fresh, seasonal, delicious meals. Farm fresh foods require the simplest preparation to fully appreciate their flavor.

7. Enjoy & indulge! Supermarket produce has traveled an average of 1,500 miles, often taking two weeks, before it arrives at the store, making it far-less-than-fresh, and far less nutritious. Indulge in the amazing taste of the local, just-harvested foods you'll find at the farmers market this season!