Jackie Mendive of Empanadas on the Go at the Winter Farmers Market at Sam Bridge. March 10 , 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Jackie Mendive of Empanadas On The Go has joined the winter farmer’s market located in the greenhouse at Sam Bridge on North Street, and will be there this Saturday, March 17 from 9:30am til 1:00pm.
Current weekly vendors include Four Mile River Farm, Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm, Carrot Top Kitchens, On the Rocks Farm and Wave Hill Breads. The regulars are supplemented by rotating “guest” vendors. Stop by and be surprised.
Variety assortment of Jackie Mendive’s frozen Empanadas on the Go, plus veggie quiche and Chimichurri sauce. March 10, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
At Sam Bridge, the warm sunny greenhouse lends itself perfectly to a winter farmer’s market, which launched on Jan 20, reconnecting fans of the market at Horseneck lot with several of their favorite seasonal summer vendors.
Jason from Four Mile River Farm in Old Lyme is a staple of the winter farmers market at Sam Bridge and, offering a variety of beef, pork, chicken and prepared foods.
“We try to do something different in the winter. That’s when we have time to experiment a little bit,” Jason said. New items have included pork cutlets, smoked ribs, beef cutlets, country gravy made with Four Mile River Farm’s breakfast sausage, all beef meatballs and, GFP’sfavorite, “Pork Candy.”
“The pork candy is smoked, but not as long as the jerky and it has brown sugar,” Jason aid. “It’s sweet!”
Jason, who is a regular face at the summer farmers market at Horseneck Lot, said the winter market at Sam Bridge operates under a different set of guidelines because is private.
Whereas the market in Horseneck Lot is a “Connecticut Grown” sanctioned market under the CT Dept of Agriculture, the Sam Bridge Market is able to feature a broader choice of vendors.
Head to Stony Creek Ocean Farm for Little Neck and Top Neck Clams. contributed photo
Over at the Stony Creek Ocean Farm table Nick Pastore, who operates out of Branford, said the recent deep freeze in February had left the Sound too icy for his boat, but now hs is back with clams and oysters.
Pastore, also an avid woodworker, has found his cutting boards and wooden spoons to be popular sellers.
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Nick Bridge, who organizes the farmers market, said every guest gravitates to his family’s vintage truck on display with its original sales receipt taped to the window. At $1,668.76, the it served as the only truck for the business back in 1948, when his great uncle and grand father were in charge.
“It was their primary truck until 1984,”Nick said. “Later we had it cosmetically restored. More recently, I had it mechanically restored. It fires right up. It runs good.”
Victoria from Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm with Nick Bridge, manager of the winter farmers market. Photo: Leslie Yager
Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm. Contributed
Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm. Contributed
At Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm, Victoria does a brisk business selling cheese, milk, chicken and lamb. She said her soups have been super popular. “The turnout has been twice as good as we expected,” Victoria said. She also has fresh Bolognese sauce, delicious over pasta.
Two Guys from Woodbridge
Two Guys from Woodbridge
At Two Guys from Woodbridge Allie Miller sells a wide variety of hydropinically grown greens including nutrient rich and flavorful micro and mescalin mixes.
There are also dandelion greens, sunflower shoots, baby Arugula, water cress, baby red choi, curly red leaf lettuce, Frisée, and a variety of lettuces.
And then there are the Stinging Nettles! Yes, they were delicious as promised, steamed and add a little bit of butter. But don’t pick them up with your fingers. Use tongs!
Dominic Francia, a regular customer, arrived for containers of baby Kale and baby Broccoli. “I make fruit smoothies with blueberries and strawberries. Then I put in baby Kale and baby Broccoli. I also put in a handful of sprouts when I’m making scrambled eggs. It’s a good way to get your greens in your diet,” he said.
From On the Rocks Farm, Bill Pieragostini and his daughter Maili with fresh eggs. Photo: Leslie Yager
At On the Rocks Farm, Bill Pieragostini and his daughter Maili sell fresh eggs for $7.00 a dozen.
Pieragostini said Sam Bridge sells tomato sauce, maple syrup, honey and eggs year round. Though he has loyal customers who source his eggs from Sam Bridge in the winter, it’s been nice to see them in person.
Rounding out the mix was Wave Hill Breads with a variety of handcrafted breads and treats made from organic whole grains milled at the bakery in Norwalk.
The winter farmers market at Sam bridge runs Saturdays from 9:30am – 1:00pm through mid-March.
Four Mile River Farm
Beef, Pork, Chicken and Prepared Foods
info@formileriverfarm.com
Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm
Lamb, Chicken, Cheese, and Prepared Foods
Stony Creek Ocean Farm
Clams and Oysters
Two Guys from Woodbridge
Salad Greens, Microgreens, Edible Flowers
On the Rocks Farm
Wave Hill Breads
At Wave Hill Breads believes in making delicious, artisan bread with ingredients your grandmother would recognize including organic whole grains milled at the bakery in Norwalk.
orders.whb@gmail.com
