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Community Corner

Farmers Market Offers First Produce

Shoppers Browse Early Crops, Baked Goods, Other Goodies.

On Wednesday, tents were unfolded, tables set up, and greens were laid out for the first time this year. The Ledyard Farmers Market opened for the season at 4 pm at the Ledyard Fairgrounds.

This early in the growing season, few fresh vegetables are ready to be picked. “There’s not a lot of wonderful things this time of year,” said Anita Kopchinski of Hidden Brook Gardens. But that didn’t stop her or any other farmers at the market today from offering wonderful things to their buyers.

Kopchinski’s booth was green with potted plants – among them unusual herbs and vegetables like lime basil, neon purple eggplants, and jalapeno peppers. “This time of year, people are looking to plant their gardens, and I make a little extra,” she said. She also sold her early crops, such as lettuce and scallions.

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Another grower, Bob Burns of Aiki Farms, sold the crops he had available. He loaded bags with his gourmet salad mix, buckwheat lettuce, and chick peas. He also handed out samples of sprouted lentils, which he explained was an excellent energy food when eaten raw.

Plants and their products, however, weren’t the only things for sale. In addition to lettuce, scallions and hothouse tomatoes, Warren Burrows from Groton Family Farms offered his free-range eggs. “They're free range... In other words, (the chickens) are not raised in chicken coops. During the day, they’re out in the grass… They have more variety in their diet. It makes the eggs better,” Burrows said.

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Jams, breads, cookies and cakes were also sold. Chris and Lisa Baker even offered all-natural, grain-free dog treats. “We have two greyhounds that we rescued and we wanted to make all-natural, grain-free treats for them,” Lisa Baker said. The couple explained that ordinary biscuits sometimes have unhealthy ingredients. Unfortunately, the healthier options are usually hard to find and expensive. The couple began baking their own, and eventually began to sell them.

The Farmer’s Market will be open from 4 pm to 7 pm every Wednesday until September 28.

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