Vernon Farmers Market Revival Donations Hit $1,000 ... Goal Is $7,500

VERNON, CT — About three-and-a-half weeks into fundraising efforts to revive the farmers market in Vernon, pledges total about a thousand dollars.

According to the donation page on Patronicity.com, 23 donors have pledged $1,050. The goal is $7,500. he campaign began in late June. Donations are being collected on the page until Aug 16 at 11:45 p.m.

The donation page is part of a unique fundraising approach — a matching state grant coupled with community support to revive the Farmers Market in town. Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said the efforts are an extension of Vernon's Sustainable Connecticut endeavors. The town already has silver status and is striving to achieve the newly created gold classification.

The plan is to raise funds through a matching Sustainable Connecticut grant program, Purcaro said. At least 75 donors are needed., town officials said.

The Vernon Town Council has approved bringing back a farmers market in concept. Trouble is, there are no funds for it in the town's operating budget, Purcaro said.

"The town of Vernon is seeking your help in bringing a farmers market back to town," municipal officials said in a note to the community. "The market aims to bring farm-to-table practices to the local community by establishing a farmer's market. The goal of this initiative is to improve equitable access to fresh and nutritious food, promote healthy living, and create a sustainable food system that benefits people of all ages regardless of their socioeconomic status. We need our community's help raising funds in order to pay our vendors, offer transportation, and delivery a top-notch farmers market."

The Vernon farmer's markets will be on three Thursdays in August - the 8th, 15th and 22nd, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Henry Park, 120 South Street. It will precede the summer concerts at the park.

Click here for a fundraising overview.

Town officials said several vendors have shown interest:

• Bussa Orchards of Glastonbury, fruit
• Super Soups of Meriden, prepackaged soups
• Betty Aiken of Bolton, honey
• Black Cat White Dog Farm of Hebron, microgreens, eggs, potatoes and 3-D models
• Yalla Fresh of Fairfield, pre-packaged healthy Mediterranean foods
• Westview Farm of Woodstock, beef, cut flowers, beef tallow skin care products
• Valencia Grows of Bloomfield, fresh and dried herbs, dried teas, herbal and mint jellies, herbal butters
• Allard Family Farms of Bolton, chicken
• Strong Family Farm of Vernon, jams, pickles, salsa, maple syrup, produce
• Pop’s Famous Guac of Hartford, guacamole
• Ladybug’s Breadstuff of Glastonbury, breads and sweets
• Connecticut Fudge Works of Ellington, fudge
• Lucky Clover Farm of Tolland, produce, fruit, eggs, alpaca fiber products
•The Local Lemon, Vernon, lemonade