Wilton farmers market held the last winter market Saturday, April 1, and will re-open outdoors May 27 in McGillicuddy Park. Pictured April 1 from left are Fran Brann of Wilton, and the Croteau family from Jay: eight-year old Ashton, nine-year old Landon and mom Chelsea. Croteau provides Asian cuisine and baked goods through Fresh Eatz. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
WILTON — Wilton farmers market is taking a short break before reopening on Saturday, May 27, in McGillicuddy Park.
This winter the market moved indoors to the First Congregational Church where it was open the first and third Saturdays of the month. Saturday, April 1, was the last day of the indoor market.
“We will be starting back up outdoors Memorial Day weekend, May 27,” Faith Jones from Dreamin’ Fahm in Wilton said. “Our hours will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.”
Jones said there were five or six vendors regularly at the market during the winter.
The church has offered its space on rainy Saturdays this summer, but with 11 vendors expected to participate outdoors there may not be space, Jasmine Castonguay of Clearview Cider and Creamery in Livermore noted.
“The church has been very good to us,” Jones said. “The market has been going well.”
The kids [baby goats] are coming now at Dreamin’ Fahm, Jones gave as one reason for the market’s temporary closure.
Wilton farmers market can now accept EBT cards from those who receive food stamps, Jones said.
Saturday, April 1, Jasmine Castonguay of Clearview Cider and Creamery in Livermore watches while Fran Brann of Wilton at right considers the creamy lasagna soup and other farm offerings. The Wilton farmers market will reopen outdoors in McGillicuddy Park May 27. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
Jesse Tannenbaum of Lisbon worked to get EBT cards and WIC vouchers accepted at the Wilton market. His Andy Valley Collaborative Farm offers vegetables, microgreens, eggs, and seasonal fruits at area farmers markets. He is entering his third year in Wilton.
Tannenbaum also has Packard-Littlefield farmstand at 76 Littlefield Road in Lisbon, which will be open Thursday through Sunday this summer. Four months ago he merged Eli’s Homestead into the new collaborative farm, so everything on the internet and social media is still listed under his former farm.
Farmers markets can serve as an outreach, people are looking for social outings, Tannenbaum said.
“I look forward to talking to people, finding out how their week was,” Jones noted. “It’s really cool, is heartwarming.”
Employers can now purchase “Bumper Crop” gift certificates from Maine Federation of Farmers Markets to give to their employees to use at farmers markets, Castonguay said. Some local businesses are participating, she noted.
Chelsea Croteau of Jay operates Fresh Eatz, participated in the Wilton market for the first time this year. She is in the process of building a food truck for farmers markets this summer. Asian cuisine is her specialty and she also offers baked items. The food truck will probably be set up a couple of days a week in downtown Farmington, she noted.
The Wilton farmers market is always looking for musicians to jazz up the market, Jones said.
It’s a chance for performers to gain experience, Castonguay noted.
“Music is so nice, it gets a little warm vibe going,” Jones added.
For more information about the Wilton farmers market visit its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/wiltonmainefarmersmarket.
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