Health & Food

What we eat to a large extent determines how we feel and how healthy we are. Food can also be used as medicine in our healing. This page includes a variety of resouces to help you eat healthier. If you plan major changes to your diet also consider working with one of our holistic health practitioners.

The word "locavore" has received the esteemed honor of being the New Oxford American Dictionary 2007 Word of the Year. The word is defined as "a person who endeavors to eat only locally produced food." It was coined about two years ago by four San Francisco women who popularized the idea of the '100-mile diet'.

Here's a Tip from Dr. Andrew Weil: To determine if fresh produce is organic, check its Product Look-Up (PLU) sticker. Organic PLU codes have five digits and begin with a 9, unlike those on conventionl produce.

Farmers' Markets

Farmers' Markets are a great way to find healthy fresh food, support local agriculture and help the environment. As demand for better food has grown so has the number of markets. And many of the markets have become events in themselves with other vendors, music and activities for children.

For a full list of Farmers' Markets in Connecticut visit BuyCTGrown.com, CT Department of Agriculture, CT NOFAor LocalHarvest.org. Here you'll also find directions to each location and other state farm information. This list last updated May 8, 2010. Check the links for recent updates.

Following are farmers' markets that are held in our region. All are WIC Certified.

 COVENTRY - Nathan Hale Homestead
Sundays, 11 am - 2 pm
June 6 thru October
This is the state’s largest farmers’ market, according to Market Master Roberta Wilmot, with over 33,000 visitors last season.
coventryfarmersmarket.com

 EAST HARTFORD - Burnside Avenue, Powder Mill Shopping Plaza
Wednesdays, 10 am - 1 pm
July thru October

 EAST HARTFORD - Raymond Memorial Library, 840 Main Street
Fridays, 9 am - 1 pm
July 9 thru October 29
Contact: Howard Jacobs, (860) 643-2207

 ELLINGTON - Arbor Park, Route 286, Town Center
Saturdays, 9 am - 12:30 pm
May 1 thru October
Includes vendors, artists, music and entertainment.
Contact: (860) 871-6266, (860) 214-9948
ellingtonfarmersmarket.com

 ENFIELD - Enfield Legion, Enfield Town Green, Town Hall, Route 5
Wednesdays, 3 - 6 pm
June 23 to October

 MANCHESTER - Manchester Community College at the Bandshell.
Wednesdays, 2 pm - 5 pm
July 7 through October 20
Community Farmer's Market supporting local farmers and artisans. Vendors welcome.
Contact: Dr. Andrew Paterna, market manager, apaterna@mcc.commnet.edu.
mcc.commnet.edu/business/farmers

 MANCHESTER - Main Street and Forest Street
Saturdays, 8 am - 12:30 pm
July 10 thru October 30
Contact: Howard Jacobs, (860) 643-2207

 SOMERS - Somers Common, Main Street & Battle Street
Saturdays, 9 am - noon
June 5 through September 25

 SOUTH WINDSOR - 771 Main Street @ Pleasant Valley Road
Sundays, Bi-Weekly, 10 am - 2 pm
6/27, 7/11, 7/25, 8/8, 8/22, 9/5, 9/19, 10/3, 10/17
southwindsorhistory.org/events/farmers-market

 STAFFORD SPRINGS - Mocko's Lot, Junction of Rtes 32 & 190 (West Stafford Rd)
Mondays, Thursdays, 11 am - 2 pm
July 8 thru October 28

 TOLLAND - Tolland Green
Saturdays, 9 am - 12 Noon
May 8 thru Mid November
Contact: Town Manager’s Office, (860) 871-3600

Community Supported Agriculture

Community supported agriculture (CSA) is an innovative way to connect farmers and consumers in a mutually beneficial relationship sharing the risks and rewards of the growing season. The consumer buys a share of the farm's harvest in advance, guaranteeing a market for the farmer's produce. There are at least 17 of these CSA farms in Connecticut. See CT NOFA's website for more information on CSA's and a full list. Also visit LocalHarvest.org for a list of CSA's and other information. Three are located in our region.

Bob White Farm - Bob White
PO Box 201, Stafford, CT 06075
(860) 684-4574
rnw@cox.net
Certified Organic by the Baystate Organic Certifiers
40 shares (full & half) from July until frost. Also organically raised grass fed beef & naturally raised veal.

Down to Earth Farm - Laura Judd - Full for 2010 season.
5 Michelec Rd, Stafford, CT 06076
info@getdowntoearth.org
Down to Earth is a grassroots foundation for the development of sustainable local food systems through organic educational farming. We are a vegetable farm without a farmer - our members do the farming by contributing 4 hours of farm work per month. June through November. Located at Bob White Farm.

Old Maids Farm, LLC - George & Sharon Purtill
1099 Tryon Street, South Glastonbury, CT
(860) 659-1886 or (860) 918-5442
george.m.purtill@snet.net
Certified Organic by the Baystate Organic Certifiers
40 shares (full & half) from July until frost.

Udderly Woolly Acres - Tom and Joan Kemble
581 Thompson Street, Glastonbury, CT
We are not certified organic but have signed the farmer's pledge.

Other State and Regional Resources

NORTHEAST ORGANIC FARMING ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT (CT NOFA), is the Connecticut Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association. CT NOFA is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the practices of ecologically sound farming and gardening, and to the development of local sustainable agriculture. Their efforts give consumers increased access to safe and healthy food. CT NOFA is a growing community of farmers, gardeners, land care professionals, and consumers that encourages a healthy relationship to the natural world. They sponsor many events and conferences including the annual Taste! Organic Connecticut in Conventry. See our photo album of the September 2007 event. Visit their website for schedule, membership and contact information.

NORTHERN CONNECTICUT VEGETARIAN SOCIETY seeks to advocate a compassionate and healthful vegetarian diet. They wish to provide support to vegetarians by building a community for them and all those interested in the benefits of vegetarianism. Monthly potluck open to anyone interested in learning more about a healthy, cruelty-free diet. Check Society website for speaker and for dates. Potluck is held at the Carniglia Senior Center (or as some folks say Windsor Locks Senior Center), 41 Oak Street, Windsor Locks. Last Sunday of the month 5-8 p.m. Please bring a Healthy Vegan dish along with a note card listing your ingredients. Also, please bring your place setting (plate, cup, and utensils). A donation of $10 per adult is requested. For more information, call Harry at 860-623-8082 or email Harry at joycegre@aol.com.