Farmers' Markets / Farm Stands

[T.H.E. Binz]

The Main Street dummies canceled the Meredith Farmers' Market this year. Someone should organize one away from the main street so there is plenty of stall space and customer parking.

[Argie's Wife]

Originally Posted by T.H.E. Binz

The Main Street dummies canceled the Meredith Farmers' Market this year. Someone should organize one away from the main street so there is plenty of stall space and customer parking.

Considering the price of food in the grocery stores, it only makes sense to buy local. Besides, grocery store tomatoes are awful!

I believe the Farmers' Market in Alton was stopped (don't know why...) but at a recent Alton Board of Selectmen's meeting, one of the selectmen was hinting pretty hard that he'd like to see it come back. I second that motion!

----

Thanks to all for the info about the Farmers' Markets in the various areas. I had no idea about the New Durham one and will make it a point to go there on Friday... we need good tomatoes!

[Toyorelle]

Maple Tree Farm out of Loudon has a farm stand in the parking lot at the Tilt n' Diner. I've had the corn on the cob there a few times this summer and it's been perfectly sweet every time.

[Sunrise Point]

I'm glad that someone else recommended the Sanbornton Farmer's Market. If you don't go on a market day, stop by Surowiec Farm (I may have misspelled this) on Perley Hill Rd. The farm has fresh produce and pick your own apples (in season). She's a regular vendor at the market. Really great stuff.

[John A. Birdsall]

I think the farm stand in Alton closed because Hannofords is right in the back yard and competing was too much. It's a shame cause I liked fresh veg. that they provided, seems a waste that they built that stand, then moved the stand and now its closed.

[RI Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by John A. Birdsall

I think the farm stand in Alton closed because Hannofords is right in the back yard and competing was too much. ..

If I had a choice ... I would chose the farm stand to buy my produce.

[Argie's Wife]

Originally Posted by RI Swamp Yankee

If I had a choice ... I would chose the farm stand to buy my produce.

That's why I started this thread.... the tomatoes and much of the produce in the grocery stores isn't too great. There's probably a special room in hell full of hothouse tomatoes.

[ACutAbove]

There is a great little farm stand on 175 in Holderness, rumor has it everything is picked that morning before 10 am for the days sale....

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

That's why I started this thread.... the tomatoes and much of the produce in the grocery stores isn't too great. There's probably a special room in hell full of hothouse tomatoes.

This is a great thread, AW! I myself work at a farm in seasonally, in Stratham, NH. We start in March and there is still farmwork to be done until about the end of November (the stand itself doesn't open until Mother's Day Weekend) and sometimes I don't think people realize how much work is involved in farming to get those wonderful veggies to them, but that's another whole story altogether, lol. Anyway. We participate in three markets; there are others that we don't participate in, the closest to the Lakes Region is the Dover Market. Dunno if anyone's been there, I haven't, but it may be one more option for people.

If anyone wants info on the Seacoast Markets, please PM me and I'd be more than happy to give you days and times.

Eat your veggies, like Mommy always said!

[no-engine]

Smith's off sleeper hill rd, gilford is closed for the season.

Picnic Rock at Longridge in Meredith has great veggies. Baker on site is also well known. Their corn today was fantastic. Three miles the other side of Meredith, Moulton's is great.

[jellybean]

I was told that the little farmstand in Alton (behind McDonald's) closed this year due to a family illness. I hope they are back, but they also didn't have a lot of organic/natural products, which are my preference.

So, are we talking farmer's market here, or the farmstand (which was a private business)? The farmer's market used to be in Alton Bay, but I think it closed well before Hannaford opened.

I don't think that Hannaford would be much of a threat to a weekly farmer's market - we love having Hannaford here, but a market would offer produce that the store doesn't even carry or sell here.

For example, I tried (and failed) to find fresh basil there today to add to my homegrown organic heirloom tomato salad (for some reason, I didn't grow basil this year) ...

[Argie's Wife]

UPDATE:

The farm stand in Alton, by the Hannafords, has reopened and is owned by DeVelders (sp?). They carry a great assortment of flowering plants and produce. Their prices are LOW! I have been impressed by the quality and price I've found there to the point that I now just skip the produce section at Hannafords because I know I can do better at the stand! (I got avocados - marked down - at like $0.50/ea because they were getting beyond ripe - which makes great guacamole! )

As I understand it, it's the same folks who own DeVelder's farm in Wolfeboro but I guess they don't own the market in Wolfeboro anymore. Either way, it's a great little place - I'm so glad they're there!

[Alton Bay]

My daughter picked up some corn yesterday at Precious Gardens in Alton. It was very good. They have pies too. Not sure what else they will have over the summer, but will def. recommend the corn!

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by Alton Bay

My daughter picked up some corn yesterday at Precious Gardens in Alton. It was very good. They have pies too. Not sure what else they will have over the summer, but will def. recommend the corn!

Last summer they had a whole array of fresh veggies. I have to agree that the corn is very good, however, I can't imagine that the NH corn is ready yet, esp. with all the rain that we've had.

[Heaven]

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

UPDATE:

The farm stand in Alton, by the Hannafords, has reopened and is owned by DeVelders (sp?). They carry a great assortment of flowering plants and produce. Their prices are LOW! I have been impressed by the quality and price I've found there to the point that I now just skip the produce section at Hannafords because I know I can do better at the stand! (I got avocados - marked down - at like $0.50/ea because they were getting beyond ripe - which makes great guacamole! )

As I understand it, it's the same folks who own DeVelder's farm in Wolfeboro but I guess they don't own the market in Wolfeboro anymore. Either way, it's a great little place - I'm so glad they're there!

I'm pretty sure DeVylder's doesn't grow produce, except apples and a few of their flowers. Correct me if I am mistaken.

[Janet]

Moulton's Farm is up Route 25 from Meredith. Going up the hill from Meredith, by Hannaford's, you'll go pass the high school and it will soon be on your right. The best pies ever - especially that apple with the maple flavored crust. Just the best! The little kids in the family still talk about those pies and asked if they can have some this year. Of course, all the big kids in the family are looking forward to them as well!

[Argie's Wife]

Originally Posted by Heaven

I'm pretty sure DeVylder's doesn't grow produce, except apples and a few of their flowers. Correct me if I am mistaken.

I think it's a mix of their own stuff and things they've brought in from a vendor - only because they carry some obvious non-local/non-seasonal items (i.e. avocados!)

[riverat]

farmers market at the bay on the weekends, across the street from the town docks

[magicrobotmonkey]

Laconia Farmers market is 8-noon on saturdays in the city hall parking lot. Theres also a new one this year on thursdays from 4-7 at prescott farm on white oaks road near the weirs end.

[rrr]

Is Precious Gardens the farm stand next to Hannaford's? Does anyone know what their hours are?

thanks

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by rrr

Is Precious Gardens the farm stand next to Hannaford's?

Nope....that's DeVylder's. Precious Gardens is on Rt. 11 heading toward Gilford about a mile (?) out from the tip of Alton Bay.

[rrr]

Thanks McDude - now I know exactly where Precious Gardens is. I thought it was just plants and flowers - didn't know they did produce. Will have to check it out.

DeVylders in Alton is on my route up on Fridays though and if they're still open as I pass by that would be great.

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

I believe the Farmers' Market in Alton was stopped (don't know why...) but at a recent Alton Board of Selectmen's meeting, one of the selectmen was hinting pretty hard that he'd like to see it come back. I second that motion!

from the Baysider July 16

Farmers’ Market
opens tonight

ALTON

— The Alton Farmers’ Market has relocated to downtown Alton,
across the street from Town Hall in the grass area belonging to the church. The new hours are Thursday evenings from 3 to 6 p.m. beginning tonight, July 16.

[ghfromaltonbay]

DeVylder's has NJ corn right now, and it's delicious. Very sweet and tender. We also bought cucumbers there which were 69 cents each (10 cents less and better looking than Hannaford's). They open at 9 am and I believe stay open till 6 or 7 pm most evenings. Worth the stop!

[rick35]

Stopped by Moulton Farm today while I was out doing errands. Their strawberries jumped off the shelve into my arms. Wow! They were fantastic! Bought some corn at $.79 per ear which is a bit pricey. I'm not sure where it was from but it looked good. Will have to wait until later to cook it up and find out.

[Bluebell]

I just got back with 2 big bags of fresh fruit and vegetables. I bought peaches, blueberries, tomatoes, eggplant and yellow squash.......all for $14! I'll be back next week.