On Thursday, July 3, the Newtown Planning & Zoning Commission continued deliberation on an updated definition of Farmers Market.

At the last meeting on June 19, Sue Shortt of Shortt’s Farm, 11 Cherry Street, and Ian Appleby explained to the commission that the current definition is “antiquated” and does not cover a lot of the vendors that are typically at the Newtown Farmers Market.

Shortt explained at that meeting that “in order to protect us, protect the town, we wanna make sure that we have proper language in there and amend it so that these vendors … can attend and not have any issues.”

The commission closed the public hearing at the June 19 meeting and had a closed discussion about the definition. Each commissioner looked over the definition and provided edits to it.

After 45 minutes of deliberation, the commission came to a conclusion and approved the below definition unanimously.

The definition of Farmers Market is now, “A seasonal event where locally grown and locally made items are offered for sale to the general public. Items for sale include but are not limited to fruits, vegetables, herbs, plants, flowers, eggs, honey, maple syrup, dairy products, jams, jellies, baked goods, meats, vinegars, oil, sauces, candies, frozen treats, tea, coffee, edible mushrooms, nuts and similar items. Also offered are Connecticut food truck food, food prepared by local licensed and insured food producers, local non-edible artisan creations and non-amplified musical entertainment.”

The Newtown Farmers Market is held every Tuesday, 2-6:30 pm, Fairfield Hills Campus, Keating Farms Avenue.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.