Farmers Market Today

The North End Farmer Market will run today, Friday from 10-2 in front of It's Only Natural Market.

We are looking forward to another exciting market this Friday! Tandoor will be selling Indian food for lunch, and Crystral Pistritto will be back with her famous hula hoops. She sold out last time, so now is your chance if you didn't get one!

Our great line up of farms, Linda's Sweet Memories and O'Rourke's will also return. Guest vendors for the week are Paoletto Farms from Trumbull, CT, which sells homemade honey and honey-based body care products, and Urban Oaks Farm, a non-profit farm from New Britain, CT. Local resident, Deb Flynn will also be selling her beautiful handmade decoupaged items.

Last week, we enjoyed desserts from Linda's Sweet Memories and purchased soothing, aromatic soaps from Whey Better Farm. The Atticus Kelly Quartet entertained us with jazz as we ate lunch from Iguanas Ranas, and kids participating in the kids' market program enthusiastically bought fresh fruits and vegetables. You can read more about the program in the Middletown Press: "North End Kids Market lets local children take part in buying produce at farmers market."

Guest restaurant:Tandoor Indian Restaurant (Lunch is from 11:30-1:30)

Guest Vendor: Paoletto Farms, Deb Flynn Decoupage, Urban Oaks Farm, Crystal Pistritto Hoola Hoops

Recipe of the Week: Babaganoush

Music: Wesleyan Ghanaian Drumming Ensemble (11:30-1:30)

Meet Your Farmers: each week, we will profile a different vendor from the market. This week, it's Leah Beckett of Beckett Farms.

Farmers' markets are all about knowing where your food comes from. Whereas supermarkets shelves are stocked produce that is often picked up to two weeks in advance from industrial-scale farms, farmers' markets are much more intimate. Your produce is local, probably picked by same person that is selling it, and you are free to ask questions to the farmer.

Leah Beckett, Glastonbury CT

Leah's favorite product: Lemon Basil

Most popular: Blueberries

Why are local farms important?

"Know your farmer, know your food."

How is this growing season?

"Good, dry--rain is helpful, so hopefully it rains again soon. Last summer was extremely wet. Unfortunately, apples arent ready yet because it's been so hot."

What is your favorite part about working on the farm?

I really enjoy working with the guys from Mexico. I learn a lot from them and respect a lot."

I also really like going to farmers' markets--it's great to interact with the people and the vendors! You can just click the button below.

The North End Farmers Market is now on facebook! "Like" our market and use this as a forum to discuss recipe ideas, share photos, and make suggestions.

Also, you can vote for our market in America's Favorite Farmers Market contest! Click the button to vote.