Creating The Connecticut Farmers' Market Trail

There is something about biting into a sweet, juicy, red strawberry that just screams summertime to me. 

Some people measure the beginning of summer by Memorial Day, or the end of school, or the first day the temperature hits 80. I measure it with food. It can’t be summer until I’ve had lobster for dinner, sat on the porch with a bowl of strawberries and bought an entire week’s worth of grocery from the farmers market.

Luckily for me and anyone else obsessed with local food a group of Connecticut farmers and producers has made it easier than ever to enjoy fresh local food all summer long, while exploring parts of Connecticut at the same time.

Ten markets throughout eastern Connecticut joined together this year to form the Connecticut Farmers' Market Trail. The idea of the trail is to help the farmers market in the states market themselves while providing customers with more market options.

“The customers benefit by getting an overview of ten fantastic markets they can visit, plus a lot information about activities they can do in addition to the markets, allowing them to make a day out of a trip to a market,” said Master Stuart Woronecki.

Woronecki, Winter Caplanson of Coventry Regional Farmers' Market, Brianne Casadei of and graphic designer Sue Muldoon began forming the market trail a few months ago. They selected ten markets to start the trail as a pilot program.

“One criterion for inclusion on the FMT is that there must be other offerings in addition to the actual market,” Woronecki said. “Local farms that allow visitors, farm-to-table restaurants, locally-owned shops, hiking trails, and the like were all considered.”

Each of the ten makes gave a $100 donation to the trail which goes towards marketing the trail through Facebook, a website and brochures. Max Restaurant Group and a few local banks also donated money for the trail. If the founding markets deem the trail successful they hope to continue and expand it next year.

“It offers many choices for a great day either as a family or perhaps even just by yourself,” Woronecki said.

Grab the reusable totes, pile into the car and start exploring the Connecticut Farmers' Market Trail:

Plantsville Farmers’ Market (Southington)
Fridays beginning July 6, 3 p.m.‐6 p.m., running through October.
997‐1003 S. Main Street, Plantsville

Bristol Farmers’ Market, Price Chopper Plaza
Wednesdays, 3 p.m.‐ 6 p.m. & Saturdays 10 a.m.‐1 p.m., from July 7 through October.99 Farmington Ave., Bristol (Route 6)

Collinsville Farmers’ Market, Town Hall Parking Lot
Sundays 10 a.m.‐1 p.m., running through Oct. 21.
Main Street in Collinsville

Farmington, Hill‐Stead Museum Farmers’ Market
Sundays beginning July 1, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., running through Oct. 14.
35 Mountain Road, Farmington

Middletown Farmers’ Market
Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning July 12, 8 a.m.‐1 p.m., through Oct. 30.
South Green, Old Church Street in Middletown

Middletown ‐ North End Farmers’ Market
Fridays 10 a.m.‐2 p.m., running from July through October. Sidewalk in front of Its Only Natural Market in Middletown

New Britain Farmers’ Market - St. Ann's Church
Mondays beginning July 23, 2 p.m.‐4 p.m., running through Oct. 29.
109 North Street, New Britain

Newington Farmers’ Market
Thursdays, 3 p.m.‐6 p.m.,  & Saturdays, 9 a.m.‐1 p.m., through Oct. 27.
Market Square in Newington

Plainville Farmers’ Market (NEW!)
Fridays beginning in July, 3 p.m.‐6 p.m., running through September.
Route 10, Plainville High School in Plainville

Waterbury‐Mall Farmers’ Market
Thursdays beginning July 12, 2 p.m.‐5 p.m., running through October.
Brass City Mall West Parking Lot in Waterbury

West Hartford Farmers’ Market
Tuesdays & Saturdays, 9 a.m.‐1 p.m., Thursdays 11 a.m.‐3 p.m., through Oct. 30.
LaSalle Road Public Parking Lot in West Hartford

West Hartford ‐Whole Foods Farmers’ Market
Mondays, 3 p.m.‐6 p.m., running through Oct. 29.
50 Raymond Road, West Hartford

For more Farmers' Markets across Connecticut, visit Connecticut Farm Fresh's website.