I could not be more thrilled to see the emergence of all of these glorious farmers markets showing up in Hartford this summer. Having been a long time resident of Hartford, I grew up going to Cheese & Stuff to buy my groceries and produce. When it closed and West Enders were forced to go elsewhere, it was devestating because there really wasn't anywhere else that stepped up to take it's place. And this problem of locating good produce and healthy foods wasn't just in the West End, it was all over Hartford. So, this initiative between the Hartford Farmers Markets, Councilman Jim Boucher and City Hall Representatives marks a turning point in raising awareness about the need for healthy food sources in the inner city. Pretty exciting since in 2005, Hartford had ranked #166 out of a total #169 towns that were surveyed for their food source being insecure. A sign of Hartford's commitment to making the farmer's markets a success in the inner city neighborhoods is also their desicion to allow the residents to make purchases with WIC Farmers Market checks and EBT. This initiative also shows support to CT's farmers since many farms have been getting sold to developers interested in creating new homes and communities in the suburbs on orchards or other rural lands. Stay tuned for information on more farmers markets that are popping up all over the state. In the meantime, check out these Hartford markets, 5 DAYS A WEEK!
West End http://www.westend.org/farmersmarket/
Billings Forge http://www.hartfordfarmersmarket.org/
North End http://www.hartfordfood.org/n/programs/ne-market-n.html
Old State House http://www.ctosh.org/docs/oshfm/farmersmkt.pdf
First Prebysterian Church http://www.farmfresh.org/food/farmersmarkets_details.php?market=261
http://www.hartfordfood.org/farmersmarkets/
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