New Canaan Farmers' Market Plans Winter Hours

NEW CANAAN, Conn. – New Canaanites hungry for state-grown, farm-fresh food may soon be in luck. 

The New Canaan Farmers' Market plans special winter dates for three hours every Tuesday next month at the New Canaan Nature Center. The New Canaan Board of Selectmen voted Tuesday to approve the winter sessions as well as the traditional market dates on Saturdays from May 12 to Nov. 17.

Alexis Gazy, the farmer’s market master since its opening in 1999, said the winter market will be a downsized version of the original, with eight to 10 vendors selling their products at a greenhouse near the nature center’s main building. Gazy said there is increasing interest in eating healthier throughout the year. “We’re defying winter,” Gazy said. “We’re going into the greenhouse, where it’s nice and warm.”

Hilary Wittmann, director of marketing for the New Canaan Nature Center, said the center's staff approached Gazy about hosting the February market to add a new feature for nature center visitors. “It’s not something that will financially benefit the center, but it gives people another reason to come down here and while they’re here, use the facility,” Wittmann said. “It’s very much in line with our mission as a whole. We’re just supporting our local businesses and agriculture. There’s a connection [to] what we’re interested in.”

The winter market will still need approvals from the planning and zoning commission, the New Canaan Health Department and the parks and recreation commission.

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