by Chris Langone

DANBURY, Conn. — Military veterans with a craving for fresh produce and community fun are welcome to $15 Market Gift Certificates on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the Danbury Farmers’ Market. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Mark Boughton, Mayor of Danbury will join in Saturday’s festivities at 11, which include live Jazz music, fabulous fresh local food, churros and more!

“Farmers’ Market Veterans Celebration & Appreciation Day is the first event we have that’s just for vets,” said Peggy Zamore, Director of the Better Food for Better Health project of the Danbury Farmers’ Market. “It’s our way of thanking them for their service.” Through this annual program initiated a few years ago by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, and now administered by the Danbury Farmers’ Market, community veterans can receive $15 in Market Certificates for Health to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Funding for the program over the year has been provided by the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, with additional funding this season provided by Farm Credit East.

In addition to the certificates for veterans, $15 in market certificates will be given to all who attend the “EAT SMART LIVE STRONG” nutrition workshops at 12:30 and 1:15 p.m. Our market registered dietitian, along with a Spanish translator, will discuss making the best healthy choices at the market and how to chose, prepare and store produce.

Every week, SNAP/Food Stamp benefits are matched up to $20, along with WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program vouchers. The Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kennedy Park in Danbury through Oct. 22. The market also offers free blood pressure checks and nutrition, health and fitness activities. While certificates must be used on fruits and vegetables, Farmers’ Market shoppers can also purchase clams, fresh baked goods and specialty foods. “This year there is a focus on vets and farming and protecting their health through food and healthy choices,” said Zamore.

For info about FREE parking, the Free downtown trolley and more information about the Danbury Farmers’ Market, visit their website www.danburyfarmersmarket.org or call 203-792-1711.

The CityCenter Danbury Farmers’ Market, held every Saturday,10:00 am to 2:00 pm(through October 22nd) at Kennedy Park & Elm Street, is pleased to celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week with an announcement that new recent funding allows the Farmers’ Market’s SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) match to now provide up to $20 per week to purchase vegetables, fruits, and other eligible foods, and the Market’s service to veterans has been enhanced as well.

Through End Hunger CT!/Wholesome Wave, the Market has received $8,000 to match SNAP purchases. The Farmers’ Market has also received $1000 from Farm Credit East to offer our veterans more opportunity to “eat smart”.

“I’m so appreciative of Farm Credit East’s support to further expand access to CT Grown affordable fresh fruits and vegetables at the vibrant Danbury Farmers’ Market”, says Gus Schumacher, the Founding Board Chair of Wholesome Wave and former Massachusetts Commissioner of Agriculture. “Market master, Peggy Zamore, is diligently developing her affordable access programs to veterans with the Market’s innovative Veterans Farmers’ Market Certificate program. Farm Credit East’s support couldn’t be more timely”. Farm Credit East, located in Enfield CT, is a cooperative that provides credit and related services to farms throughout the Northeast. Founded in 1916, the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

Farmers’ markets are more than just an outlet for fresh produce and friendly farmers. According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics, these grassroots venues have increased in number by over 60% since 2009 to more than 8,500 today. These markets preserve farmland, stimulate local economies, increase access to fresh nutritious food, improve community health, and promote sustainability. For example, growers selling locally create thirteen full time farm operator jobs per $1 million in revenue earned while those that do not sell locally only create three.

“Farmers’ markets play a vital role in forming healthy, local food systems,” says Jen Cheek, Executive Director of theFarmers Market Coalition. “By providing the opportunity for farmers to connect directly with consumers, markets serve as education centers. Vendors are teaching customers about agriculture, sharing recipes, and exposing them to new foods. Markets are making people and communities stronger and healthier.“

CityCenter Danbury’s Farmers’ Market is also supported by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Farm Viability Grant program, Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC/Kennedy Flats, HARTransit, annual fundraising events, and businesses and individuals.

For more information, call CityCenter Danbury at (203) 792 1711 or visit danburyfarmersmarket.org

with an announcement that new recent funding allows the Farmers’ Market’s SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) match to now provide up to $20 per week to purchase vegetables, fruits, and other eligible foods, and the Market’s service to veterans has been enhanced as well.

Through End Hunger CT!/Wholesome Wave, the Market has received $8,000 to match SNAP purchases. The Farmers’ Market has also received $1000 from Farm Credit East to offer our veterans more opportunity to “eat smart”.

“I’m so appreciative of Farm Credit East’s support to further expand access to CT Grown affordable fresh fruits and vegetables at the vibrant Danbury Farmers’ Market”, says Gus Schumacher, the Founding Board Chair of Wholesome Wave and former Massachusetts Commissioner of Agriculture. “Market master, Peggy Zamore, is diligently developing her affordable access programs to veterans with the Market’s innovative Veterans Farmers’ Market Certificate program. Farm Credit East’s support couldn’t be more timely”. Farm Credit East, located in Enfield CT, is a cooperative that provides credit and related services to farms throughout the Northeast. Founded in 1916, the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

Farmers’ markets are more than just an outlet for fresh produce and friendly farmers. According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics, these grassroots venues have increased in number by over 60% since 2009 to more than 8,500 today. These markets preserve farmland, stimulate local economies, increase access to fresh nutritious food, improve community health, and promote sustainability. For example, growers selling locally create thirteen full time farm operator jobs per $1 million in revenue earned while those that do not sell locally only create three.

“Farmers’ markets play a vital role in forming healthy, local food systems,” says Jen Cheek, Executive Director of theFarmers Market Coalition. “By providing the opportunity for farmers to connect directly with consumers, markets serve as education centers. Vendors are teaching customers about agriculture, sharing recipes, and exposing them to new foods. Markets are making people and communities stronger and healthier.“

CityCenter Danbury’s Farmers’ Market is also supported by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Farm Viability Grant program, Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC/Kennedy Flats, HARTransit, annual fundraising events, and businesses and individuals.

For more information, call CityCenter Danbury at (203) 792 1711 or visit danburyfarmersmarket.org

HARTransit ANNOUNCES FARMERS’ MARKET  DOWNTOWN TROLLEY SERVICE

HARTransit announced that it will provide free trolley service around downtown Danbury this summer to coincide with the popular CityCenter Danbury Farmers’ Market.

The Trolley will run on Saturdays between 9:40am and 2:00pm servicing the Pulse Point, Main Street, Rogers Park, Park Avenue and West Wooster Street. The Pulse Point is HARTransit’s main bus transfer facility and is adjacent to Kennedy Park. The Danbury Farmers’ Market, located at Kennedy Park, will be every Saturday beginning June 25 through October 22 from 10:00am until 2:00pm.

The Market features CT Grown produce, shoreline shellfish, fresh bread and some specialty foods. WIC certificates, senior coupons, SNAP, EBT, credit and debit cards accepted at the Farmers’ Market. WIC, Senior and SNAP matching programs are available. The goal of the Trolley service is to provide improved access to the market for local seniors and other residents.

HARTransit is greater Danbury’s mass transit provider, and a project partner in the Danbury Farmers’ Market Community Collaborative (DFMCC) since inception. The Farmers’ Market is ideally located to take advantage of HARTransit’s fully handicapped accessible public transportation network.   Federal transit legislation now extends transportation goals beyond the historical focus on efficiency and highway infrastructure to that of equity, access, and multi-modal linkages. This shift in focus emphasizes the importance of land-use decisions in transportation planning and access to important resources to all people, such as proper nutrition.

For more information on the CityCenter Danbury Farmers’ Market call 203-792-1711 or visit www.danburyfarmersmarket.org. For information on the trolley service contact HARTransit at www.hartransit.com or call 203-744-4070.