The Gardiner Green Market at the Gardiner Library has been a welcoming gathering spot this summer! Early last spring a team of five Gardiner residents (Emmy Abrahams, Peg Lotvin, Annie O’Neill, Anne and Dave Rogers) wanted to establish a place where people could buy local produce from very local farmers, a place to come and meet friends, and a place to just relax in a special setting. The new Gardiner Library seemed the perfect place for this to happen.
Communities across the country lack gathering spaces—and they’re so important to individual health and the health of a vibrant community. The Gardiner Green Market is helping to fill this need in a small way. It is also helping several local farmers who use natural farming methods to share what they grow with their neighbors. The market is mostly made up of very small farms—most would probably call them large gardens—and a few other small producers of meat and eggs (Brookside Farm), baked goods (Magic Baking), infused oils (Luigi’s), cheese (Modena Made), honey (Keith Roosa) and maple syrup. Veggies and flowers are grown by Dancing Meadow, Libertyview Farm and Three Sisters, and Korean vegetables are harvested at Insook’s farm.
Each week more than a hundred people show up to visit to pick up healthy ingredients and to share a smile. Those who come are aware of the challenge of growing food naturally and preparing food for a market. The team has local chefs come for demonstrations and tastings, and they are planning a variety of activities throughout the winter.
The market team has received emails from several supporters offering them thanks for keeping it going, and every farmer has been given praise by a customer. The second week of the market Peg Lotvin was told—by a woman who raises her own zuchinni—that Peg’s zucchini were the best she had EVER eaten! My husband Dave and I were told by several people that the greens beans from our Dancing Meadow Farm just couldn’t be beat! Whether participating in the tomato contest, tasting a tidbit from a guest chef or learning new facts from guest hosts, people have been having a great time. The Gardiner Greenmarket will be continuing right through the winter in the Gardiner Library community room: third Saturday of every month from 11 to 4, beginning November 20th. For more information email gardinergreenmarket@gmail.com.