Local Farmers' Market Helps Valley Food Bank

After a successful first season in 2010, is again inviting guests to enjoy Friday Farmers’ Markets in July and August. The markets feature fresh produce from local Shelton farms and food producers such as Jones Family Farms, Stone Gardens Farm and .

The farmers’ markets begin on July 1 with the annual Red, White & Blue kick-off event. For the farm, it usually marks the transition between the juicy red strawberries and the sweet blueberries in the pick-your-own fields. For the community, it’s more – fresh local food, a reason to see friends, and a way to help a wonderful local charity.

As in the past, any produce remaining at the end of the market will be donated by the farm to the Valley Food Bank/Spooner House. This year, they are expanding those efforts and asking guests to bring food donations, make monetary donations or donate produce they purchase at the market directly to the Food Bank each week. They are even enticing guests who donate with a market basket give-away filled with local food products.

“Being a part of this farmers’ market last year, right up the road from us, was a joy every week. We loved sharing our produce with guests and working alongside other local growers and business owners,” said Stacia Monahan of Stone Gardens Farm in Shelton. “We are really looking forward to returning this summer.”

Fred Bialek, who along with his wife Michelle owns Liquid Lunch (a local soup restaurant), echoed those sentiments. “We have a great time with our customers at store locations, but to be able to be out at a farm and share in the markets is very fulfilling. The markets really have a wonderful sense of community for us.”

The markets are scheduled for every Friday in July and August from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. (extended hours from last year, at the request of many guests) at the Jones Harvest Kitchen Courtyard, outside their winery tasting room, at 606 Walnut Tree Hill Rd. in Shelton. Each market will celebrate a theme such as: Honey and the Harvest, Grains and Grapes, Sweet Corn and Tractors and even You Can’t Stop the BEET.

Guests will be able to purchase local food, and experience wine tasting specials, cooking demonstrations, kids activities, live entertainment and more.

“Whenever you can get great community groups together in one place like this, it really creates a sense of home,” said Jones Farm Market Manager, Allyson Angelini. “From the farms and local food producers to musicians and entertainers such as Fran Scarpa and the YouthCONNection, it’s really wonderful to see how much the Shelton area has to offer.”

For more information, visit Jones Family Farms on the web at: www.JonesFamilyFarms.com.