Business & Tech
Grown In Connecticut: Rain Caused Delays But Didn't Stop Suntan
What's Fresh At Farmers' Markets This Week
Mid-August through mid-September is peak picking season in Connecticut, according to Rick Macsuga of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, and the rain didn't do much harm at all.
"The rain, the rain, the rain," he said. "It's not a welcome sight but it's also not killing anybody."
Macsuga said a month's worth of rain fell in two days and the farmers are tolerating muddy fields.
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"Their biggest problem is they lost two days of picking, it's basically a headache and a delay."
And, according to Macsuga, there is a lot to pick.
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"It is our peak for fruits and vegetables," he said. "We have lots available, this is a very good time to buy local."
Macsuga said peppers are still coming in strong and this that the "suntan" is the most recent pick. "It's green and it's basically turning red and it's not quite there, that's what we call a suntan."
Macsuga said there are two new apple varieties available, the Paula red and ginger gold. He said they are both sweet, early apples and that the they should be available for about three weeks."
Also, Clapp pears are available.
"It's the first pear of the season, they are available for two and a half to three weeks, then we'll move on to the next variety."
Macsuga also said blueberry season is winding down and blackberry season is here.
What's fresh this week:
Peppers: all kinds
Musk melon
Honeydew
Baby watermelons
Summer squash: all kinds
Sweet corn
Cucumbers
Peaches
Plums
Nectarines
Cabbages: red, yellow savoy
Green beans: green, yellow
Carrots
Potatoes: all kinds
Eggplant: all kinds
Tomatoes: all varieties
Beets
Kale
Swiss Chard
Where to find them:
The Old Saybrook Farmers’ Market is on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 210 Main Street. www.oldsaybrookfarmersmarket.com, WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted, SNAP/EBT.
The Westbrook Farmers’ Market is on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Flat Rock Place in the Tanger Outlet Center. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.
Madison Farmers' Market is on Friday, from 3 to 6 p.m. on the Madison Town Green near 27 Meetinghouse Lane. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted. Check the _Madison Farmer's Market Facebook page_ for more.
Dudley Farmers’ Market is on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 2351 Durham Road in North Guilford.
The Chester Sunday Farmers’ Market is on Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Town Center. www.chestersundaymarket.com
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