If you are like most of us, you may have thought that the end of October also marked the end of farmers’ markets in the area, not so in Higganum. Last Tuesday night, the former firehouse/youth center, now the VFW, was buzzing with very happy shoppers, glad to still be able to get local farm market favorites such as Chet’s Italian Ice, Auntie Arwen’s goods and sinful Artisan Truffles, to name a few.
“This is our biggest indoor market so far,” said a very proud Gail Reynolds, who is the market manager. “We have 17 vendors and two non-profits here today and it’s going great.”
She adds, “If people aren’t here they are missing out on local food and locally made goods, as well as the great atmosphere and entertaining music.”
Well known, local musician Ken Sweeney set the room to music with his upbeat accordion ditties that delighted shoppers as they strolled from booth to booth deciding which delectable tid bit to sample, which ones to take home and which ones to wrap up and keep safe until the holiday.
“I think this is a great idea to have an indoor farmers’ market,” said Chet Dimauro of Chet’s Italian Ice. “This allows people to get some very good, fresh, local food for the holiday.”
Dimauro, who is based in New Britain, makes his vast variety of unusual Italian Ice flavors, using only a trio of ingredients, which includes pure cane sugar, water and fruit. A special treat for this fall season Dimauro brought along his almond ice, cranberry ice and pumpkin cream ice.
Dimauro concluded, after packing many pints of Italian Ice to go, “… it was nice to see so many regulars from the weekly summer farmers’ market here today patronizing this indoor market as well.”
Some non edible wares for sale included goat milk soaps in a variety of shapes, fragrances and sizes from Simply Soap, as well as pedicure soaps and more. In addition, there was a diverse assortment of yarns, fibers and hand knit specialties from June’s Knit Goods and Madison Wool.
Some traditional market favorites included Wellstone Farm’s crops of handsome cabbages, pearl white garlic, succulent pears, hearty radishes and more.
For those looking to be naughty before Santa checks his list twice, there was an array of sweet treats to choose from including Auntie Arwen’s decadent fudge, chocolate dipped pretzel rods and marshmallows from River Chocolates and rich, sweet, self indulgent truffles of every kind including just dark spicy Mayan, bourbon pecan cranberry pecan and pumpkin spice, from Artisan Truffles.
The next indoor Farmers’ Market is planned for Wednesday, December 21, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the VFW in Higganum. Don’t forget to mark your calendar!
