Ellington Farmers Market begins Summer Season May 12th

The inaugural event of the 2018 Ellington Farmers' Market season takes place May 12th in Arbor Park on Main Street from 9-12 and will feature this spring's newest Barnyard Babies where kids of all ages can enjoy visiting local farms' newest spring additions.

The market features forty vendors bringing a wide variety of locally grown and produced items. A host of guest vendors will add a wide variety to the to the weekly offerings of local produce, plants and flowers, dairy, beef, pork, lamb, seafood, poultry, cheese, honey, baked goods, specialty foods, alpaca products, handmade soaps, natural body and cleaning products, artisan wares and more.

Each Saturday guest vendors and special events will focus on a theme for that day such as "Happiness is a Warm Puppy" which includes a Rabies and Microchip Clinic, The Zucchini 500 Drag Race and "Youth Market Day" when local youngsters under 18 can sell their home-grown produce. Every market Saturday promises to be a lively community event providing live musical entertainment, education, and the celebration of Ellington's rich agricultural heritage, while promoting and supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs.

The market offers a matching SNAP program sponsored by Ellington business, Homestead Comfort. For every SNAP dollar spent via EBT (up to $20 per week) the market will give an additional $20 via tokens to shop the market. Over 500 individuals or families receive SNAP benefits in Ellington alone. When including the five towns that boarder Ellington that number increases to over 3200. SNAP transactions can be made at the central market booth.

The market also conducts a Kids Power of Produce Club for children ages 5-12 thanks to the sponsorship of Earthlight Solar and Energy Solutions of Ellington. The club will run from June 16th through September 1st. The Kids Power of Produce Club empowers kids to make healthy food choices through educational activities, samples of produce and the distribution of $2 tokens for children to purchase fresh produce at the market.

Additional market information can be found on the Ellington Farmers Market website www.ellingtonfarmersmarket.com, by following their Facebook page, and by signing up for the weekly newsletter via the website or by emailing ellingtonfarmersmarket@gmail.com. Ellington Farmers Market is a 501C3 and accepts tax-deductible donations.