February 5, 2010 6:05 pm

Art & Vegetables, Fish & Fowl, Meat & Potatos

Yes the Norwalk Winter’s Farmer’s market has an exciting program this Sautuday February 6th 10 am to 2 om at 61 Wall Street.

Check it out!

The crumb

We’re finally going to go. Thanks for the reminder!!
Kurm Udgeon

The best fish and eggs I have had in a long time. This market does a lot with very few vendors, but they are all of a high caliber.
Was today and “off” day?

One vendor and no heat!? I understand the idea of a farm stand and all but it’s 27 degrees and the doors are wide open. I’d rather be in a barn. We would never go again.
Observer

We went this morning and there were two vendors (one fruits and veg, the other meats and eggs) and one artist. The meats looked good but were higher-priced than grocery store goods, however being organic I suppose that offsets th extra cost in some people’s eyes. The young woman artist had some really interesting pieces on the wall and she was friendly and great to talk with. She informed us that on previous weekends there had been several more vendors selling handmade wearables and other things. And yeah, the door was open; but if you kept your coat on just like you do in the grocery store, you stayed warm enough to be sociable with everyone. The farmer’s market idea is just getting off the ground – don’t be a downer; give it a chance. It doesn’t cost you anything to visit it unless you want to buy something, and the more people who go and tell their friends to go, the more vendors will eventually join in. Remember, spring is just around the corner (even if today it didn’t feel like it) and this farmer’s market has nowhere to go but UP. I suggest you shelve your bad attitude and come back a few more times. It might surprise you.
Maribeth Becker

As I mentioned on another market post – there is no heat in the building and it can get quite cold in there. Especially with the doors open – but that is a fire code issue. Those doors are former ‘automatic’ doors, but they are no longer powered and are too heavy to leave open in case there ever is an emergency. We take the safety issue seriously.

Good news is that all of the produce, meat, eggs and seafood stay nice and fresh with the cold temps. I’m looking forward to my baby-back ribs and chorizo for superbowl!

Thanks to the vendors who brave the ‘rustic’ conditions. The market is gaining traction – with many ‘regulars’ each week.

Don’t let the cold scare you away. See you next week…..
sonoresident

my second experience at the market was no better than my first. I understand that some vendors may have been frightened off by the weather forecast but aesthetically its just as dormant as the business. The emptiness, cold and greyness of the facility is depressing. It looks like what it is, a vacant, tired looking 1960s building w/no vitality. While I didn’t enjoy the cold, especially because my 3 yr old son was w/me and I was concerned for him, it didn’t make much difference because we were in and out of there so quickly. Even just a little background music would help, much less one of the two vendors was sellng squash w/visible mold.

turfgrrl

sonoresident: According to USDA reports, vegetables today have less nutritents in them than the same ones from the 1950s. So while we see pretty carrots and broccoli in stores, we are in fact getting less vitamins and minerals out of them. Yes, it would be nice if Norwalk’s Farmers Market were in a prettier building, or even outside, and had dozens of vendors, and everything looked nice. But someone would be spending some money on making all those things happen, and either the cost of the products would go up to incorporate it, or the products would be changed to reduce the price. Call it the omnivore’s dilemma.

sonoresident

Having taught economics for 15 years, sometimes you have to invest $$$ to get $$$, that’s capitalism. Hoping, praying and trying to cajole people to go to the Farmer’s Market because of some kind of ancillary benefit is unlikely to prove productive. Markets are successful because people go there. Whole Foods started as a small natural foods alternative to big grocery stores, Costco started in San Diego as Price Club a store for union members only!!! Both provided consumers what they wanted, a good product for a good price in a clean and safe environment (though at least at Costco, as generic as one can imagine). Farmer’s Markets that are successful have a “festive” atmosphere; cold, dank and dark generally doesn’t -> success. Rowayton’s market has potential because people not only feel like they are getting a good product (albeit at perhaps a higher price than the supermarket) but they enjoy the experience too!

turfgrrl

sonoresident: We all have a choice in how we spend our food dollars so I’m not quite sure why you think people are being “cajoled” into going. Either you think the products are worth the trip or not. That’s capitalism. A local farmers market appeal, however, is based on the ability to buy locally grown and harvested produce and meats that aren’t bred to have a shelf life of four weeks so they can be trucked in from other countries.

Maribeth Becker

And I would add that this market was pulled together quickly to make a ‘go’ of it this year rather than talking about something forever. Sometimes you just have to take advantage of an opportunity in order to jump-start something rather than waiting for things to be perfect.

Trust me, we are working on “festive” and have things planned for the future – both at this location and beyond…. sometimes you have to start with the baby steps and move forward from there.

BTW, I finally found out why everyone has been raving about the meat from Eaglewood Farms – finally purchased some this weekend. The chorizo was absolutely amazing! We brought it to a Superbowl party and everyone loved it. My husband is the biggest skeptic about paying more for organic and other healthy food and he was the biggest convert after tasting it. http://www.eaglewoodgourmetfood.com/index.html

Oh yeah, and speaking of making a ‘go’ of something – check out the new SoNo Flea Market starting this weekend. Just in time for Valentine’s Day: http://www.sonoflea.com/

sonoresident

Does anyone know if there is any plan to do something w/the Methodist? Church (Yellow brick) as you are entering SONO. That would be a great place for a market/local community association etc…. I’d hate to see it torn down. If a market were held there it would be more convenient for drivers off the highways and people would enjoy the building and surroundings

Observer

Far as I’m aware, the Methodist church is still an active viable church and there are no plans to remove it or tear it down.

What’s interesting about the empty lot next to it is that if you go over to the Norwalk Museum, they have photographs in their archives which show the Methodist Church at the time of its being built – when it was the only building standing within a vast area of open lots, just like it is today. Things truly do move in circles!

sonoresident

are you sure? They took down the sign for the Church sometime ago and I haven’t seen anyone go in or out of it in a vast amount of time. The landscape is still tended to but in all other respects it seems dormant

turfgrrl

sonoresident: The Church put the property up for sale and consolidated its congregation almost two years ago.

Observer

Oops, my bad. I wasn’t aware the building was up for sale. I certainly hope they can find someone who will keep the integrity of the building and put it to good use, instead of tearing it down. It’s a landmark building in South Norwalk, and should remain so. Gee, maybe the Historical Society could relocate there since it’s probably got a lot more space than the Townhouse does, and it’s just as worthy a building historically.

Sono dweller

I agree with almost everyone on here except the squash with mold only cause I didn’t see it. True, the pickings are slim and it’s a work in progress. Yes, we/you should give it another try or more than one try especially as we head into Spring. However, on the other hand it is rather depressing there, COLD and uninviting and the selection is limited with only two vendors. BUT If more people would go, we could then get more vendors. So please, keep going it costs nothing to walk around. Spread the word to family and friends but be honest with them!