Every Monday, farmers, artisans, bakers, bread-makers, a mobile coffee truck, nonprofits, and more, come together on Paradise Green to provide accessible and affordable food options to Stratford. But the farmers’ market does much more than that, it also strengthens our community.
Since opening day on June 22, the Market has seen a shift, a good one, in the number of vendors, which has a direct impact on the number of market goers each week. We’ve seen an influx of foot traffic, with August 10th being our most well attended market to date. It also happened to be the same day that Senator Richard Blumenthal made his surprise visit.
For a little over 45 minutes, Senator Blumenthal stopped and spoke with vendors like Anita, who owns The Hoth House Bakes, a local bread and pastry company. The August 10th market was her first with us. Senator Blumenthal was eager to learn about each vendor’s story. He wanted to get to know the person behind the table.
He spoke with Frank, farmer and owner of Waterview Farms in Monroe. Frank is new to our Paradise Green Farmers’ Market, and has become a welcomed addition to the family of vendors on the Green. In a recent press release by Governor Lamont during National Farmers’ Market Week, he states, “I strongly encourage everyone in Connecticut to visit some of the more than 120 farmers’ markets we have in our state, where you can not only get good food to nourish your family, but you can also support local farms and the many local workers employed by these small businesses.”
In partnership with the Bridgeport Farmers Market Collaborative, Paradise Green Farmers’ Market is one of seven farmers’ markets from Bridgeport to Stratford. The collaborative’s mission is to make Connecticut Grown produce more accessible and affordable, while supporting the local economy and building community across the city. It is because of this partnership that the Paradise Green Farmers’ Market is able to accept SNAP, and Bridgeport Bucks, a $5 coupon that is distributed each week to market goers, which they can use on their produce purchase. In addition to SNAP and the Bridgeport Bucks, most farmers also accept SOLi, and the CT WIC & Senior card or FMNP.
With food deserts in the South End, pop-up food pantries like The Neighbor’s Nook provide residents, often within walkable distance, access to food from a pantry that is always stocked by neighborhood donations, and sometimes with fresh produce. How else can our Paradise Green Farmers’ Market support the whole of Stratford, not just on the Green?
Our Market Manager is Miles Bolton and our Community Engagement Coordinator is Tayshaun Gunn. They are two local college students who help support the set up, market hours, breakdown, and outreach for the Paradise Green Farmers’ Market, and help keep the market going. Our Paradise Green Farmers’ Market is growing in foot traffic with the collective efforts of Stratford Forward, a local nonprofit supporting civic engagement, the Town of Stratford’s Office of Economic Development (who refers vendors), the Stratford Health Department (who ensures vendors have the proper clearance), community members (who provide suggestions on the kinds of vendors they’d like to have), and vendors (who have strong relationships with other vendors and can urge them to participate).
Each Monday, the Paradise Green Farmers’ Market is open from 2pm-6pm. Join us for the annual Kids Day at the Paradise Green Farmers’ Market on Monday, August 24th. It takes our entire community to make Stratford feel like home.
