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'.
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 or CT NOFA. Here you'll also find directions to each locaton and other state farm information. As of this update (late July 2008), some of the listings still contain 2007 dates. Those that have been updated to 2008 are designated with the symbol. 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 1 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 - Raymond Memorial Library, 840 Main Street
Fridays, 9 am - 1 pm
July 11 thru October 31
Contact: Howard Jacobs, (860) 643-2207
ELLINGTON - Arbor Park, Route 286, Town Center
Saturdays, 9 am - 12:30 pm
May thru October
(860) 871-6266
ellingtonfarmersmarket.com
ENFIELD - Enfield Street and Elm Street, Route 5
Wednesdays, 3 pm - 6 pm
July 9 thru October
Contact: Virginia Higley, (860) 253-6355
MANCHESTER - Manchester Community College, new location this year at the Bandshell.
Wednesdays, 2 pm - 5 pm
June 11 through October
Community Farmer's Market supporting local farmers and artisans. Vendors welcome.
Contact: Dr. Andrew Paterna, market manager, mccfarmersmarket@hotmail.com or (860) 512-2708.
mcc.commnet.edu/business/farmers
MANCHESTER - Main Street and Forest Street
Saturdays, 8 am - 12:30 pm
June 12 thru October
Contact: Howard Jacobs, (860) 643-2207
SOMERS - Somers Common, Battle Street
Saturdays, 9 am - noon
Through September
Contact: Mary, (860) 749-7273
STAFFORD SPRINGS - Mocko's Lot, Junction of Rtes 32 & 190 (West Stafford Rd)
Mondays, Thursdays, 11 am - 2 pm
July 5 thru October 25
TOLLAND - Tolland Green
Saturdays, 9 am - 12 Noon
May 5 thru November 17
VERNON/ROCKVILLE - Court House Plaza, Route 74(East Main Street)
Sundays, 10 am - 1 pm
July 1 thru September 30
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. Three are located in our region.
Down to Earth Farm - Sarah Ingraham
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. We are expanding after a very successful season, and will be selling 36 shares for 2008.
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.
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