The Bartlett is a gorgeous spot for a farmers' market, but they've got some kinks to work out. As it opened at 10, there was very little parking up close, so cars had to turn around and park somewhere else. I don't know where, because my friend did a U-turn and drove over a curb to get us the last good spot. We walked down, trailing people carrying their reusable bags... and there were only four tents. The FM was tiny. Then... a dog ran out of the woods and ate three pies off the pie stand!
Of course, the only people there at 10:10 were oldish people and youngish moms, but one brave lady stepped forward to at least get the aluminum plate out of the rascal's mouth. Then, his harried owner emerged from the forest and dragged him away as we all scowled at her.
I had to leave at 10:20, and there was at least one more stand setting up as I left, so maybe the teensy market got bigger. However, on my previous post, Irene commented today, "They've got to work on the Farmers Market, I don't think they expected the crowd that showed up: I was there at 10:30, parking was at a premium, and some vegetables were already sold out."
The market has great potential. I am optimistic that the Bartlett will use this as a learning experience, and that with the enthusiastic crowd as motivation, more sellers will come. There was a big crowd and the Bartlett is gorgeous. There was only one produce area spread out under two tents, so I'd have to say it was... 1/8 the size of the Saturday market on Bedford? However, what the Bartlett did have looked good. There were nice-smelling candles for 10 bucks, honey from the Bartlett and robust vegetables. I only bought a pie, so I can't comment on how reasonable the veggie prices were. Were there any fruits there? I don't recall seeing any.
Check out my pics of the market on flickr. Evvvvvvvvvvvveryone was toting their reusable bags!
I, as usual, forgot mine.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Bartlett's Farmers' Market: Bumpy Start
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6 comments:
Thanks this is helpful!
Next time, I'll go with you.
BTW, you and you're fancy pancakes have won a blogging award from me. Come by, pick it up and take a bow:
http://blogonkevin.blogspot.com/2008/07/once-whiner-now-winner.html.
It's been a few hours since I first read this, and I am still giggling about the dog stealing the pies.
I surely hope the dog enjoyed the over-priced pie! :-)
Seeing your stand photo: All the cabbages were still there when I was there, obviously no takers.
And one lady couldn't understand how one could eat beet greens, luckily she found a taker when she yanked them off the beets, before they ended up in the garbage.
I didn't see any fruits.
I was so excited to see the Barlett Arboretum was doing this. As a North Stamford resident, I never end up making it to the French market downtown on the weekends. So off we went at 11 - and what a disappointment. If anything, I hope the huge turn-out signals that this can be a substantial event, and that the planners turn up the dial and redeem themselves. I also pictured strolling among the farm stands on the beautiful lawn - not in the parking lot.
Don't give up on it - it's really a brilliant idea....
Well, I tried the veggies tonight, so fresh! I stir-fried green beans, carrots, and beet greens (not the ones the lady discarded, I had bought my own), added some leftover chicken breast, and served all on red leaf lettuce with a lemon vinaigrette.
I forgot that I had bought some of the croutons also.
Anyway, it was yummy! I hope by the time I get back from vacation they will be better organized.
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