by Carolyn on Sep. 12, 2009
The last few weeks of summer-like weather have ripened long awaited crops. At this past market, red peppers, eggplants, melons, and heirloom tomatoes created beautiful displays at the produce stands. Not all customers at the farmers market are aware that Montpelier’s Farmers Market is what is called a “producer only” market. That means that the vendors you visit every week can only sell what they make or grow themselves. It is written in the rules of the farmers market organization that vendors CANNOT buy in products to resell at market or sell products for other people. The farmers and business owners who vend at the market are also required to attend at least 50% of the markets themselves, rather than just hiring staff to cover their farmers market stands.
Why have the vendors created these standards for themselves? The mission of the Capital City Farmers Market in Montpelier is to create a vibrant local agricultural community which provides high quality farm goods to customers. Part of building this community is developing relationships directly between the producer and the consumer. This relationship brings benefits to both parties– customers know their food and where it comes from, and the producers get direct feed back from their customers.
So when you visit the market, rest assured that what you are buying comes directly from the producer who is selling it to you, and straight from the heart of Vermont!
by Carolyn on Aug. 31, 2009
by Carolyn on Aug. 25, 2009
Starting on the September 5th the Capital City Farmers Market will begin doubling (up to an additional $10) “market cash” purchased by EBT card customers at market. The Harvest Health Coupon Project (HHCP) is a coupon incentive project designed to encourage more 3SquaresVT customers to utilize their EBT cards at farmers’ market. The Capital City Farmers Market in Montpelier will be offering this coupon to 3SquaresVT customers at Saturday markets during September and October. The project is generously funded by Wholesome Wave Foundation and the Ben and Jerry’s Foundation and is being administered by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. Currently, customers can use their EBT cards to purchase “market cash” in the form of wooden tokens, which can be used to purchase any eligible food item from farmers market vendors. State and National participation in the 3SquaresVT/SNAP program are at an all time high, with more than 37,000 Vermont households receiving SNAP benefits, a 33% increase from last year. (http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/30SNAPcurrHH.htm). By participating in this program, the Capital City Farmers Market hopes to :
- Encourage more low income Vermonters to visit and shop at farmers’ markets;
- Help 3SquaresVT participants purchase more locally grown, nutrient-dense foods;
- Support the local agricultural economy by building stronger direct market relationships between farmers’ market vendors and Vermont consumers; and
- Expand the customer base for Vermont farmers’ market vendors.
The Capital City Farmers Market will be distributing fliers promoting the program next week, with hopes that many 3SquaresVT customers will make use of this opportunity to double their dollars at the farmers market.
by Carolyn on Aug. 25, 2009
On August 8, Senator Leahy visited the market in celebration of National Farmers Market Week. Farmers market customers gathered around to hear him speak in support of local agriculture and business. A Middlesex native, the Senator has frequented the market since it began in 1977. In addition to the Senator’s visit, Clover, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture’s cow mascot, 
was giving out free hugs to market customers. Live music kept an upbeat tempo for the NOFA-VT pizza crew, which served hot, wood-fired pizza made with all local ingredients. 
Llamas and alpacas from the HespeGarden ~ Ranch & Rescue, LLC were a great distraction, providing entertainment and education as well. Thank you to all the customers who make our farmers market a success. National Farmers Market week is as much a celebration of farmers markets as it is a celebration of the people who make the market a part of the community and life!
by Carolyn on Jul. 27, 2009
August 1-8 is National Farmers Market week! The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont will be visiting markets throughout the week with their wood-fired pizza oven, including our market on August 8th. To add to our own celebration on August 8th, we will have live music, llamas and alpacas to visit with, and our first ever Pizza Cook-Off Competition. There will be a Youth and Adult division with prizes awarded for best tasting, most local, and most creative pizzas. Email the manager for more info and to register, manager@montpelierfarmersmarket.com!
August also brings a full variety of local produce and fruits to market. Blueberries made their first appearance last Saturday and more are coming. Green garlic, tomatoes, summer squash and beans are gracing the market as well, with their wonderful variety of taste and appearance. This is the time of year when each week at the market brings more diversity or produce and fruits, the height of the season as they say. Check out our “Products at Market” page to get the latest updates on what you can find each week.
by Carolyn on Jul. 20, 2009
Prepare to be impressed! Local Chef/Owner of Kismet, located on Barre Street in Montpelier (close to the Co-op) will visit this market this Saturday to share her talents with locally grown produce. Last season Chef Maderia prepared a wonderful fritata on-site along with herbal tea, Fat Toad Farm caramel in iced coffee, and several wonderful combinations of local cheese, Red Hen Bakery breads, local jams and honey. We can’t wait to see what she creates at the market this season! Recipes are on-hand to take home, lots of free samples offered, and cooking tips shared. Join us!
Anna & her bird
Tie Dying with Mink Hill Studio
4-H Youth Garden Club Display
Last Saturday, the rain held off for our Youth Farmers Market! We were all pleasantly surprised by the sun, and many young vendors turned out to sell their wares. Farm animal petting zoo, stories and songs, tie dying, and wool carding were just some of the activities offered for all the young people at market last Saturday. The Washington County 4-H Garden club also brought a display to market, and the Orange Garden Club brought jam and pickles to sell.
On another note, the Pizza Cooking Competition had to be postponed. It has been rescheduled for AUGUST 8th, as part of our celebration of National Farmers Market week. Please email manager@montpelierfarmersmarket.com to sign up and get information about the competition. We will have a youth division and adult amateur division. Prizes from Capitol Kitchen and farmers market vendors will be awarded for the “best tasting”, “most local”, and “most creative” pizzas!
by Carolyn on Jul. 11, 2009
Something’s happening that we look forward to each year– the annual Capital City Youth Farmers Market. Kids of all ages will get the chance to be vendors for the day, selling anything they make or grow. There are also lots of activites for families, including– a farm animal petting zoo, singing and story telling, wool fiber demo, tie dyeing (please bring a shirt or fabric to dye!), and a pizza cooking competion! If you know a youth who would like to vend at the m
arket or participate in the pizza competition, please email us for more information manager@montpelierfarmersmarket.com! This event happens rain or shine and is fun for everyone. Thanks in advance to Capital Kitchen and Butterfly Bakery for donating prizes for the pizza cooking competition, and Crystal Maderia of Kismet Restaurant and Jeremiah Church of Wood Belly Pizza for judging.
The last few weeks of summer-like weather have ripened long awaited crops. At this past market, red peppers, eggplants, melons, and heirloom tomatoes created beautiful displays at the produce stands. Not all customers at the farmers market are aware that Montpelier’s Farmers Market is what is called a “producer only” market. That means that the vendors you visit every week can only sell what they make or grow themselves. It is written in the rules of the farmers market organization that vendors CANNOT buy in products to resell at market or sell products for other people. The farmers and business owners who vend at the market are also required to attend at least 50% of the markets themselves, rather than just hiring staff to cover their farmers market stands.
