Last night the the common council’s parks and rec committee discussed an organic community farm and a farmer’s market.
It’s not called the farms and recreation committee, but the Common Council Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee last night revealed plans for an organic community garden at Fodor Farm and an idea to revive the city’s faltering farmer’s market.
The city hopes to find out in the next few weeks whether it will receive a $100,000 state grant to develop the garden, Parks and Recreation Director Michael Mocciae announced last night.
The city’s Health Department compiled applications for the grant, which seeks to combat obesity and promote healthy lifestyles.
“Community gardening is an active activity, and it’s nutritionally responsible,” Mocciae said.
If awarded, the grant would go into effect Jan. 1, and the garden’s first crops could be planted in spring, he said.
“I want to make sure we get the money before we delve too much into it, but some plots would go to schools, some to the historical society, some for some other agencies like thehomeless shelter,” Mocciae said, adding remaining plots could be leased to other people.
The Norwalk Historical Society is interested in planting crops typical of Norwalk in the 1700s, such as pumpkins and barley, and the schools could use the gardens as an educational tool, complete with a farm stand to sell produce.
The city plans to begin restoration of the 1800s-era main house at Fodor Farm this summer while offering two other houses on the property for sale.
An apartment attached to the main house could be rented to a caretaker with an agricultural background, who would receive a discount helping to develop the organic garden, Mocciae said.
The owners of Wall Street Fat Cat Pie Co. have pledged to buy vegetables from the garden for their organic pizzas, Mocciae said.
The Paul Newman-owned Dressing Room restaurant in Westport has expressed interest in helping to develop the organic community garden, Mocciae said.
“It’s a big hot topic everywhere now, and it’s something people are taking a hard look at because we’re losing our farmable properties. Pretty soon there won’t be any farms around here at all,” he said.
Meanwhile, Council President and Recreation and Parks Committee Chairman Fred Bondi is exploring relocation of the city’s farmer’s market from the small municipal lot next to the Maritime Aquarium’s IMAX theater to the auxiliary parking lot on the boating center side of Veterans Park.
The market has been situated at the aquarium since it opened in the late 1980s. But after the city began charging vendors and customers for parking at the North Water Street lot three years ago, the market has dwindled to just one farmer. In October, the farmer said he was not sure he’ll return for the summer season.
Bondi has met with organizers of the nearby Darien farmers market, where 10 to 12 vendors set up shop. Last night, other committee members gave him the go-ahead to gauge the vendors’ interest in participating in the Norwalk venture.
Bondi proposes the market remain open from 2 to 6 p.m. to allow residents to shop there after work. Last year, the farmers market was open Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m.
Bondi said the afternoon hours also would attract parents and children who visit the park for sports practice.
The market could eventually host a booth selling produce from the Fodor Farm garden, Mocciae said.
“Everything fits into the plan,” he said.
source:Norwalk Advocate, Committee’s Fodor Farm thoughts turn green By Alexandra Fenwick, December 20 2007
