Orange Farmers Market WRITTEN BY: KAREN SINGER
Leaf pottery, maple syrup and wool scarves were among the items for sale on September 24, 2015 at the Orange Community Farmers’ Market that returned to town this year for the first time since 2009. “I thought it would be a good idea to reinvigorate the market,” said Orange Economic Development Director Paul Grimmer, who became market master in early spring after discussions with First Selectman James Zeoli and positive feedback from local farmers and crafters.
Held under the High Plains Community Center pavilion, the market was open nearly every Thursday from June 25 to October 29, with as many as a dozen vendors. “This time we were a little more critical in setting up our guidelines,” Zeoli said. “We didn’t want a circus, and we wanted a good blend.” CONNECTICUT GROWN
The market was a Connecticut “Certified Farmers Market,” allowing only the sale of state grown farm products. Nine vendors participated on September 24, including the Zuppardi’s Pizza Truck, Verab Greenhouses, selling mums and succulents, and Shamrock Farm Stand, which had black plastic containers brimming with broccoli, eggplants, heirloom tomatoes and other produce.
parents founded the company three decades ago. Sterling Adams started Fox Hollow Farm, a Woodbridge-based maple syrup business, as “kind of as a hobby” two years ago. “Last year, we tapped around 150 trees and produced 27 gallons,” said Adams’ wife, Ashley. “This year, we had permission from Orange to tap trees on town-owned property and did about 400 taps, producing 120 gallons.”
Zeoli, who owns the farm stand, urged a customer to buy more green beans, saying, “C’mon, you’ve got to take at least a pound.” MORE THAN JUST FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Vodka cream sauce, frozen ravioli and handmade egg noodles were best sellers for Durante’s Pasta, Inc. of West Haven. “The pasta goes hand in hand with the vegetables available here,” said Angelo Durante, whose 40
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WINTER 2015