Sandy Hook Village Farmers’ Market

Opens Its 2008 Season

By Andrew Gorosko

Whether you wanted to savor the flavor of the sea in the form of some succulent littleneck clams, or bathe with a mild and soothing soap produced from goat’s milk, the Sandy Hook Village Farmers’ Market was the place last Sunday to find a product that would meet your needs.

On its first day of operation for the 2008 season, the farmers’ market attracted a group of vendors to Sandy Hook Center who sold their products directly to the public.

The farmers’ market is scheduled to be held at a parking lot at 3-5 Glen Road every Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm from now until October 26. Mike Porco serves as the marketmaster at the weekly event, which is held along the banks of the Pootatuck River. Mr Porco owns the market site.

The farmers’ market will offer for sale flowers, fruits, and vegetables from local farmers, as well as baked goods. Nutritional seminars will be provided. Family activities will be held at the market.

On its first Sunday of operation, the farmers’ market drew five vendors.

Ed and Laurie Popadic of Pepe’s Cream of The Crop, LLC, were on hand selling clams that they had freshly taken from 30 feet of water in Long Island Sound, off the Milford shore.

The Popadics transport their catch to regional farmers’ markets in a refrigerated van designed for seafood transport.

The Popadics stress that their shellfish operation is inspected and sanctioned by the state Department of Agriculture. It is the third year that the Popadics have been at the Sandy Hook Village Farmers Market. They also supply seafood to the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company’s annual Lobsterfest.

Also at the farmers’ market was Rick Agee of New Milford doing business as Goatboy Soaps.

Mr Agee sells a range of handmade soaps manufactured from goat’s milk. He brought two recently born kids to the farmers market, illustrating that the soap is made from the milk of goats.

Other ingredients in the Goatboy-brand soaps include olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and shea butter.

Tamara Doherty and her daughter, Tegan, of Wishing Well at 5-A Glen Road were on hand, displaying the various sauces and spices that they sell at the shop.

Jess Pieragostini and Hannah Pieragostini displayed the organic eggs produced at On The Rocks Farm in Newtown. Their uncle Bill raises the hens which lay the eggs.

Also, farmer Joe Smith of Smith’s Acres in Niantic had for sale the farm produce and the many flowers that he grows. Mr Smith said he soon expects to have strawberries for sale at the market.