VERNON, CT — The Vernon Farmers Market will return for a five-week run beginning Thursday, July 23, at the Henry Park Pavilion, 120 South St. The market will be open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., according to the town. Remaining market dates are July 30 and Aug. 6, 13 and 20.
The town said the markets on July 30 and Aug. 6, 13 and 20 will be followed by the Mayor Dan Champagne Summer Concert series at 6:30 p.m. at Henry Park. The market features vendors selling locally sourced meats, fresh produce and baked goods, along with food trucks, local artisans and entertainment.
According to the town, this is the third year of the revived Vernon Farmers Market. The stated goal is to help Vernon families buy fresh produce and other foods directly from the source and close to home.
“It’s great to be able to purchase top quality vegetables, fruits and meats that are coming directly from the field to the farmers market to our residents’ tables,” Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. “That’s good for our community and for local farmers.”
The town said Vernon Social Services has programs aimed at helping some families stretch their food budgets. The market accepts SNAP and the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program. People using SNAP can double their SNAP benefits up to $20, according to the announcement.
Vernon Social Services also has preloaded debit cards for people 60 and older who are income-eligible for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The town said income limits are no more than $29,526 annually, or $2,461 per month, for a single person, and $40,034 annually, or $3,337 per month, for a two-person household. Those vouchers can be used at the Vernon Farmers Market, the Ellington Farmers Market and other authorized markets in the region.
Residents without cars or other transportation can get a free ride to the Vernon Farmers Market through the Hockanum Valley Community Council. The town said the service is being provided by the market through sponsor Waverly Markets/Shoprite of Vernon.
“We are grateful to Waverly Markets/Shoprite of Vernon for providing this service to our residents,” Market Master Annie Geitner said. “We are all about making sure all of our residents have access to the nutritious foods that will be available at the market.”
To get a free ride, residents should call HVCC at 860-870-7940 during the week of the market and no later than 3 p.m. on the day of the market. For information about Social Services programs, call 860-870-3661. More information about the market is available at vernon-ct.gov/page/farmers-market.
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