Goshen Farmers’ Market: Changing with the Times
It was a Saturday in late June of 2005, my family and I were frantically trying to put together a canopy tent with at least one hundred interlocking pieces in time for the 9:30 start of the first Goshen Farmers’ Market. A dozen or so vendors were at this fundraiser for the PTO at Goshen Center School parking lot. Since then, tents have become a lot more high-tech, and the market has had many ups and downs and changes. I have had the privilege of being a bakery vendor, an organizer, and am the current president of the market. This year, for the first time since the inaugural in 2005, I did not set up a tent. I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the market by looking back on its history, and looking to the future possibilities of the market.
The Farmers’ Market is a place where you can always find some good food, surprises and great conversations. Farmers often offer recipes and cooking techniques for their particular varieties of vegetables. Residents and visitors can meet the farmers, talk about the growing season, and the like. As a perennial Farmers Market junkie, the Goshen Farmers’ Market gave me the chance to be on the other side of the table, talking with customers and sharing techniques that make my baked goods uniquely tasty and healthy.
I’ve been lucky to be able to be work with other committed leaders through the years. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know our regulars, who come week after week for whatever our market has to offer, and, for their weekly favorites! These customers have been the lifeblood of the market and I thank them for keeping the market going all these years!
Produce abundance spurred us to add markets: Tuesday nights at the Village Market, and Winter Markets at the Mary Stuart House Barn or St Thomas Church Hall. Customers and vendors enjoyed fresh locally roasted coffee and live music for holiday shoppers to enjoy. At this time, we occasionally made a profit and were able to donate proceeds to the local food bank in Torrington.
When we got a chance to move to Miranda Vineyard, our market manager at that time, Tina Torizzo, boldly took us out of the umbrella of the PTO, making it important to become more organized creating a Mission Statement and Bylaws, as well as a Board of Directors. We focused on our mission, which can be paraphrased as: providing local products to the Goshen area to feed and sustain our community. We had the expenses of rentals and insurance, but enjoyed seasonal success at the Vineyard; especially with our Woodridge Lake regulars! Though we worked on becoming a 501c3, it never was completed.
Several years later we were approached by the Goshen Business Circle to bring the market back to the town center. After discussions between the Board and Miranda, we moved the market to Scoville Park near the Town Hall. Here the market again flourished with lots of vendors and local customers.
By 2019, current market Treasurer, local sustainable farmer Lauri Szpak and I were the only remaining members of the market Board. We were in need of additional Board members, and questioned continuing the market. But vendors were committed, so we pressed on.
Enter 2020 and Covid. Suddenly the market seemed vital to the community. A lot of planning and signage on the part of Lauri made it possible for us to open the Market in a safe way. Customers were out in force craving healthy food that wasn’t subject to the supply chain. Once again, we had a renewed hey-day, with produce vendors selling out and patrons lining up, socially distanced, of course.
Since then, Lauri and I have been joined by Annette Lott and Kosta Voiklis of Crosswicks Farm, on the Board of Directors. Not only do they bring some youth and social media experience to our Board, they bring with them, regenerative farmers, with fantastic produce and a commitment to make the Market successful.
This year both Lauri and I have decided not to be vendors. Though we continue to support the Market Board, we are looking for a few more Farmers’ Market junkies who will join Annette and Kosta to fill the board positions from which we are stepping away. We feel it is time for a fresh look at the market. There is so much potential. With good people at the helm, it can grow and develop into another new and wonderful iteration of their own design. I thank everyone who was ever involved for participating, and look forward to the Best Farmers Market Ever in Goshen!
The Goshen Farmers’ Market meets on the grounds of the Town Hall on Saturday mornings
