As the temperatures drop, the “save the dates” and invites to holiday gatherings start piling up. Whether you are hosting a soiree of your own or flitting from party to party like a social butterfly (or both!), we at Moffly do not want your stress levels to follow suit. From hostess gifts to main courses, the Westport Farmers’ Market has everything you need to stay sane – and healthy! – during the winter months.
According to the Market’s Executive Director Lori Cochran, the Market started in 2006 with the help of Paul Newman and Michael Nischan in the parking lot of Westport Country Playhouse. Currently located at 50 Imperial Avenue on Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the Market boasts over 45 vendors who are passionate about the products they produce, and thousands of regulars obsessed with sampling the (oftentimes literal) fruits of their labor. Here are four reasons why you should become one of the latter.
1. WFM moves indoors for the winter
Don’t put your canvas bags away just yet, kids. True, the tents will go down on Imperial Avenue on November 6, but WFM will be back on Saturday, November 15 at Gilbertie’s Herb Garden at 7 Sylvan Lane. Make food trucks, live music, and local eats part of your Saturday routine from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
2. These farmers are the real deal
According to Cochran, the vendors selected to participate in WFM must meet incredibly high standards. Customers will never be purchasing sloppy seconds from a hasty grocery store run. Interested in setting up a booth? Read the regulations in full here.
Interested in purchasing product from farmers who are fastidious about what goes into their product and, ultimately, our stomachs? Stop by Aradia Farm’s table to chat with the Templeton family who has been conscious about what they are feeding their animals and plants for nearly 20 years.
“They are never treated with hormones or pesticides and are never given feed with antibiotics,” explains Vivian Templeton. “What they eat is what you eat.”
Pair your Aradia Farm purchases with the delicious cheeses from Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm. Also a family business, Sankow’s has been selling the best meats, dairy products, and even hand-spun wool garments since 1917.
3. Your gift will rule the Yankee swap
Your list of people to shop for is basically your height. Before questioning where you managed to find a piece of paper this large, keep in mind that having gifts ready for grab bag games and party hosts is also a good idea – one that usually turns into a necessity at the last minute. (And that Rite Aid or Target run right before the party is never fun.)
Jane Costello of Jane’s Good Food started her business by giving out her finest pickles and other food specialties as Christmas gifts. “People would give me the jars back and say, ‘I want more,’” says Costello. Stop by this Westport Farmers’ Market frequenter’s booth to ensure that your gifts will have the same effect.
Paul Gallant of Paul’s Custom Pet Food also began with the idea of giving back. Four years ago, his dog Hunter had cancer and six months to live. Gallant and his wife started cooking for their dog as advised by a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine practitioner. Hunter is currently cancer free and will turn eight this year. Celebrate the season of miracles by sharing the Gallant’s pet food (and inspiring story) with your pooch loving pals.
And of course, Doc’s Maple also keeps the festivities sweet. From maple candy to syrup to cute cutting boards, this is definitely the spot to one-up your competitive in-laws’ holiday gift baskets. The product is 100 percent organic – it is vegan and GMO free and will make the perfect gift for your friends who are self-proclaimed “foodies.” “This stuff is straight from the trees,” says Dottie Carpenter. Doc’s Maple has been in the Carpenter family for seven generations – and they have a Pinterest page. They know what’s up.
4. You’ll raise a glass the right way
Holiday drinks tend to pack a punch – especially when it comes to calories. Instead of eggnog or that fizzy peppermint madness going on at the other end of the bar, give Om Champagne Tea or Raus Coffee a try.
“Om” founder James Hibler got rid of kidney stones drinking his calming concoction, which his regulars swear by it for curing their acid reflux and other digestive problems. Also – it’s delicious and comes in four flavors, including Classic, Ginger, Turmeric, and Korean Red Ginseng. Hibler encourages his customers to “Celebrate probiotically!” this season.
Coffee is Donny Raus’ passion project. You’ll figure this out by chatting with him for less than two minutes – during which time, he will effortlessly whip you up a delectable array of his signature Cold Romans in their various flavors. (Try the Roman Kiss or Harvest Roman.) Voted as the Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage by CT Specialty Foods, Raus Coffee appeals to coffee addicts and naysayers alike – and Raus’ Cold Roman martini recipe is sure to become your go to cocktail party pick me up.