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Ludlow Farmers Market, Inc.


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Saturdays from 10am-1pm, at The Ludlow Teen Center, at Goodman's American Pie 
from November 19th - March 3rd

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Our 2010 Summer market created quite a buzz in the local papers. Many of our local vendors and products were featured in the articles seen below.


FARMERS MARKET AN OASIS FOR BAKERY LOVERS
By Mary McCallum as seen in The VT Journal

The Ludlow Farmers Market is known for the number of vendors on site that sell high 
quality locally made baked goods. A recent addition to the lineup is Morgan Skiathitis, 
whose Vermont Croissant bakery is using local farmers markets as the first step in 
bringing her hand crafted treats to the public. “The Ludlow Farmers Market is an 
excellent venue for a newly budding business to start out with,” says Skiathitis. 
This Vermont native knows a thing or two about baking, with years of apprenticeship and 
work in artisanal bakeries in Vermont and Massachusetts. She operates her own Vermont 
Croissant bakery out of the kitchen in her Belmont home. 
"It's just me and my hand turned rock maple rolling pin," she says. "I don't have a 
sheeting machine, so the croissants are all made by hand." On a recent afternoon at 
Ludlow Farmers Market there were seven varieties of the extra large melt-in-your-mouth 
croissants, including the classic plain that is the perfect fit with a cup of coffee. Skiathitis 
has that covered, with organic fairly traded coffee on hand, both hot and iced. 
In addition to the flaky French croissants Skiathitis bakes cookies, bars and galettes.

“Galette is a fancy way of saying hand-pie,” she says. The fillings may change from 
week to week, but often a moist strawberry peach is available. They are big enough 
to split with a friend. Nestled between the galettes and the croissants are strawberry 
crumble bars, large chocolate oat bars and cookies that Skiathitis describes as “cookies 
the size of your face.” Chocolate chip, oatmeal and ginger snap compete for attention 
but the snaps outsell them all. “They are made with organic crystallized ginger and are 
really good sellers,” says Skiathitis.

All ingredients in Vermont Croissant products are either locally produced or organic. 
The milk, eggs, cheese, butter, meats, fruits and vegetables are local, while the sugar 
and flour are organic. Signs and labels posted at the bakery stall list them all so that 
customers know where their food is coming from. And for those who want to make sure 
that a favorite item will be there on Fridays, Skiathitis says they can call ahead at 802-
259-2755.

While Skiathitis sells her wares at one end of the market there are at least two other 
local bakeries represented that have their own unique baked goods further down the 
row. Corner Bakery, known for its whole grain breads, pies and their cafe in 
Proctorsville is at the other end of the shady green. 

Gloria’s Pantry of Cuttingsville sells 
good old fashioned pies, cakes and cookies. 
We all know that it’s important to eat our fruits and vegetables but oh, how we love our 
desserts. Come test your will power at the Ludlow Farmers Market every Friday from 
4:00-7:00 p.m. through Columbus Day weekend. The market is located on Route 103 
south of Ludlow on the cool green lawn of Okemo Mountain School.



HERBS, VEGGIES AND HEIRLOOM PLANTS AT LUDLOW MARKET
by Mary McCallum as seen in The VT Journal

Local farmer Emmett Dunbar can be found chatting beneath his Anjali Farms awning 
every Friday at the Ludlow Farmers Market. Equal parts farmer, philosopher and 
raconteur, Dunbar dispenses wit and anecdotes along with the organic berries, vegetables, 
heirloom tomato plants and the garlic that his farm is known for. Dunbar runs Anjali 
Farms in South Londonderry with his wife Lini Mazumdar, whose line of Lotus Moon 
Medicinals also occupies the shelves of their colorful stall. Lini’ s herbal and medicinal 
body products are made in small batches from organic herbs grown on their farm.
Each Friday Dunbar drives his handpainted localvore van to the grassy field of the 
Ludlow Farmers Market and creates a visual feast for customers. Pints of just picked 
berries in neat rows and jars of applesauce from his organic apple trees sit beside chunky 
cucumbers, homemade salad dressings and bags of delicate salad greens. “ The greens 
are our biggest seller,” he says. “ The mix contains up to twenty-five different varieties of 
greens and edible flowers.”
Dunbar has thirteen years of experience managing and participating in the farmers market 
movement around the country. He was instrumental in starting two other markets in 
southern Vermont and estimates that he’ s packed and unpacked his own wares at least 
1,200 times. “ I chose to be a vendor at the Ludlow Farmers Market because it’ s a great 
new enterprise, a growing thing that I want to be part of,” he says. “ It’ s got a good 
spread of food products, crafts, produce, baked goods and stuff for kids.”
Dunbar, who has been farming for over ten years, specializes in growing and saving his 
own seed, especially tomatoes. “ Our main vegetables are heirloom tomatoes and a half 
dozen varieties of seed-saved garlic,” he says. “ And we grow another crop that surprises 
many folks-- hops!” Dunbar and his wife Lini believe in creating products from scratch 
using organic fruits, vegetables and organic and culinary herbs. They host overnight 
visitors for farmstays and hold special events at Anjali Farm that highlight the importance 
of agriculture and eating local foods.
Dunbar plans to be at the Ludlow Farmers Market every Friday through Columbus Day 
weekend. “ For a market in its second season, it’ s got more high quality vendors and 
variety than many other new markets,” he says. “ It draws locals and tourists, has plenty 
of shade and lots of parking. And where else could you find fruits, vegetables, local 
meats, knitted Frisbees, frozen pizza, vegetable sushi, stuffed quail, fishing lures made of 
spoons and the best croissants you’ ve ever tasted in Vermont?”
Ludlow Farmers Market is located on Route 103 south of Ludlow on the lawn of Okemo 
Mountain School. It is open every Friday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. through summer and early 
fall. Anyone interested in signing up to be a vendor, do a demonstration or play music at 
the market can contact Jerry Milligan at 802-734-3829 or email lfmkt@tds.net.



WHERE’S THE BEEF? AT LUDLOW FARMERS MARKET!
By Mary McCallum as seen in The VT Journal

Mention farmers market and most folks imagine stalls laden with 
colorful vegetables. While that’s a mainstay of any market, an 
increasing number of farmers who raise animals are adding meat 
products to the vegetables, fruit, flowers, specialty foods and crafts 
on display at the Ludlow Farmers Market. For area localvores 
looking for meat from animals raised under humane healthy 
conditions there are two vendors at the Friday market who offer a 
variety of choices.

Steve and Esta Morse of Ephraim Mountain Farm in Springfield raise 
beef cows, pigs and chickens on their 58 acre spread. Their Belted 
Galloway cows produce the steaks, roasts, ground meat and hard- 
to-find organ meats that Steve sells at the market every Friday. “I 
also bring dog bones,” says Steve. “They are actually quite a popular 
item.” 
Beef from Morse’s farm are 100% grass fed and do not consume 
hormones or antibiotics.

For pork lovers Morse has bacon, sausages, spare ribs and ground 
pork on sale. “We also sell poultry,” he says. “The chickens are 
pasture-raised, sold fresh instead of frozen, and range from three to 
five pounds. Single people and senior citizens appreciate that we 
carry the smaller ones.”

With two hundred cage-free laying hens pumping out a hundred 
dozen eggs a week, Morse has plenty to bring to market. People can 
order ahead Morse’s meat, poultry and eggs by calling 885-8798 or 
emailing hayfarm@hotmail.com.

Just under the next tree at the farmers market is the stall of Black 
Watch Farms, owned and operated in Weathersfield by Frank and 
Liz Manafort. Their majestic Highland cattle range their 170-acre 
farm, foraging and eating the grasses that produce the flavorful and 
hormone-free meats Blackwatch is famous for. Highland cuts are 
lean, well marbled and lower in cholesterol than the average grocery 
store beef. In addition to the standard steak and roast cuts, their 
price list includes a top of the line tenderloin, standing rib roast, and 
specialty baby beef cuts.

And for those who can’t resist a good hot dog, Blackwatch
sells their own nitrate-free grass fed beef franks. Shoppers
can order their products ahead by calling 263-5548 or emailing 
frank@manafort.com.

Ludlow Farmers Market runs every Friday 4:00-7:00 p.m. on the 
grounds of Okemo Mountain School on Route 103 south of Ludlow. 
You support local farmers by purchasing the healthy foods they 
produce every time you shop at the market. There are specialty 
ready-to-eat foods cooked on site, crafts, fresh produce, live music 
and the opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors at your farmers 
market.



GRAB SUPPER TO GO AT LUDLOW FARMERS MARKET

By Mary McCallum as seen in The VT Journal

On late Friday afternoons the Ludlow Farmers Market is a crossroads of culinary delights.   Shoppers who don’t feel like cooking can walk away with supper tucked underA cater affair 1 their arms or  in their shopping baskets, ready to reheated at home and enjoyed with a glass of wine hours later.

Beneath a white awning Wendy Neal dishes up several varieties of pizza prepared on site.  Her local business, A Catered Affair, offers personal sized pizzas at the market each week and usually sells out before closing.  “We do a very good business here even when the weather isn’t good,” says Elisabeth Novak, Neal’s baker and righthand person who keeps busy selling and boxing up orders.  “We have one customer who drives all the way from Woodstock for our pizza.”

The varieties on hand any Friday may include Farmers Choice (Vermont bacon, garden tomatoes, arugula, spinach, basil pesto and Vermont mozzarella) and everyone’s favorite, Mushroom Mascarpone, featuring the rich cheese made by Vermont Butter & Cheese Company.  Most of the ingredients on all the pizzas are raised locally, including the meats, dairy products, herbs and vegetables. 

A cater affair 2“We love this market,” says Neal.  “It’s an opportunity to make our own products available to the community while enjoying the social atmosphere.  Without a storefront or restaurant, this market is our commercial space, and that’s one of the wonderful things about it.”

A few yards away the owners of Blue Monster Cooking dish up fresh sushi, soups, and soft German pretzels to a line of eager customers.  John and Uli Donohue work quickly to keep up with the demand for their line of ethnic foods.  “It’s our first season of going public,” says John.  “But we’ve been loving and cooking good food forever.”

On hand while they last are Blue Monster Sushi Rolls (filled with grilled eggplant, avocado and special spiced vegetables), Cali Rolls that contain pickled daikon,  and Aji de Gallina, a traditional Peruvian chicken dish.  There’s Hungarian goulash, gazpacho, vichyssoise, and carrot ginger coconut soup.  Fat stuffed pretzel sandwiches and traditional pretzel knots disappear almost as quickly as the sushi, which usually sell out.

“We use produce from local farmers, Vermont cheese and King Arthur flour in our products,” says John.  “And we love this market---it’s lively, has good musicians, and it’s held on a grassy site, which is a big plus.”

Come to the Ludlow Farmers Market hungry and risk packing more supper than you can easliy fit in your car by the time you leave.  It’s every Friday 4:00-7:00 on Route 103 south of Ludlow through Columbus Day weekend.

About Us

The mission of the Ludlow Farmers Market, Inc. is to provide fresh, locally produced agricultural products, prepared foods and other good to the consumer for the benefit of both the consumer and the producer, thus supporting local farms, local businesses and the local economy. We also serve to raise awareness in the Ludlow area of the availability and benefits of locally grown vegetables, meat and dairy products, locally produced baked goods and ready made foods, preserves, honey, and other farm products.

 

The LFMKT, Inc. organization is charitable and educational, and uses sales of product, space rental and member dues to aid in financially supporting the community; it's farmers and artisans; sustainable and small scale agriculture; and local charitable organizations by donating surplus food when available. 

 

Recently, the LFMKT, Inc. donated $1000 from the inaugural season proceeds to the "Black River Good Neighbors" charitable food bank organization. Several articles were published in local papers such as "The Rutland Herald" and "The Vermont Journal" in response to our community support. The following is an excerpt from "The Vermont Journal" article:

 

"The Ludlow Farmers Market, Inc. presented Black River Good Neighbor Services with a check for $1,000. LFMKT, a non-profit organization, completed a successful first season. The open market was held on Friday afternoons during the summer and fall on the front lawn of Okemo Mountain School (53 Main Street). With over twenty vendors, the market provided high quality food products from local farmers and producers, reinforcing the importance of consuming locally produced food and supporting the regional economy.   In keeping with its goal of supporting local charitable organizations, LFMKT, Inc. hopes that their donation will increase awareness that Black River Good Neighbor Services is a very important community resource.

Look for the Ludlow Farmers Market next summer! For more information, contact Jerry Milligan, market manager at (802) 734-3829 or email lfmkt@tds.net."


To view the entire article, click on the following link:

http://www.vermontjournal.com/news/2009-12-16/Community/Ludlow_Farmers_Market_Gives_1000_for_Hungry_Vermon.html

 



The market was organized in 2009 for a very successful first season with overwhelmingly positive responses from the community. The success continued with a great start to our second season in 2010, captured by local reporter Mary McCallum in the article seen below.


LUDLOW FARMERS MARKET KEEPS IT LOCAL

By Mary McCallum as seen in The VT Journal

Area residents will gain another option for buying and eating local products when the Ludlow Farmers Market opens for its second season on May 28 of Memorial Day weekend. The brainchild of five area residents, the market enjoyed its first successful season in 2009, and will build on that success by attracting a bigger lineup of vendors this season.

Jerry Milligan, President and Manager of Ludlow Farmers Market, was pleased with last year’ s response, and felt encouraged that the seed planted last summer will grow into a more sustainable market each year. “ It became something that a lot of people looked for on Friday afternoons in Ludlow, and we got very good feedback. In fact, it exceeded our expectations,” says Milligan.

Starting May 28, the lawn in front of Okemo Mountain School (OMS) on Route 103 south of Ludlow will be transformed into a colorful market. Summer visitors can browse the stands for fresh fruits and vegetables, local honey, artisanal cheeses, eggs, specialty foods, maple syrup, baked goods and crafts.

“ We plan to hold the market for twenty consecutive Friday afternoons, from 4:00-7:00,” says Milligan. “ We have a great location with high visibility and plenty of parking. OMS donated the land for us to use for those twenty weeks, and it’ s very inviting. There’ s lots of shade and green grass, unlike some farmers markets that have to use parking lots.” The market can accomodate up to fifty vendors and there are still openings for the upcoming season.

With interest in farmers markets soaring, more than fifty Vermont towns host these gatherings that celebrate food, agriculture, and community. Windsor County hosts eight markets, yet organizers work together to make sure that markets in close proximity don’ t run on the same day.

Milligan and members of the Ludlow Farmers Market board hope to expand upon last year’ s market by adding a lineup of workshops and demonstrations related to agriculture and sustainability. One in the works is composting techniques. “ If there are folks out there who want to come and do a demonstration on something related to food, agriculture, crafts or farm animals they should get in touch with me,” says Milligan.

The market is also a welcoming space for area musicians who would like to play to the crowds. “ We hope musicians will see this as a community venue,” says Milligan.“ They can put out their own donation box and hopefully pick up a few dollars while adding some great atmosphere to the afternoon.” For the May 28 opening day the local bluegrass band Blind Rooster will kick off the season.

One thing that sets the Ludlow Farmers Market apart from others is its mission to give donations to local nonprofit organizations within the community. In 2009 market organizers gave a substantial donation Black River Good Neighbor Services, which operates a food shelf and thrift store in town. “ We want to continue to do more of this,” says Milligan. “ It builds community.” 

Even though opening day 2010 is just around the corner, Milligan and his team are already thinking about how to expand in the future by experimenting with a winter market and funding scholarships to area youth who choose to pursue work related to food and agriculture.

While the market performed beyond expectations last year, Milligan notes that their weak spot was having enough vegetable and fruit vendors. “ The cold wet weather was against everyone trying to grow crops last spring,” he says. “ With better weather this year we hope to strengthen that part of our market.”

Anyone interested in signing up to be a vendor, do a demonstration or play music at the Ludlow Farmers Market can contact Jerry Milligan at (802) 734-3829 or LFMKT@TDS.NET. Vendor fees are $150 for the season, $80 for half the season, and $15 per diem. There’s still time to sign up and become part of this local community success story. With sunshine and warm weather it just might break records.




The 2010 Season wrapped up with a bang as Mary once again reports in the article below.


LAST CALL FOR LUDLOW FARMERS MARKET

By Mary McCallum as seen in The VT Journal

Since Memorial Day weekend the Ludlow Farmers Market has drawn a crowd to the shady lawn in front of Okemo Mountain School every Friday from 4:00-7:00. Columbus Day weekend will be no different, with local vendors gearing up for the final market day of the successful season on October 8. While our own backyard gardens may be on the wane and the green beans and tomatoes have slowed to a trickle, local farmers report that there are plenty of late season vegetables to be had.

At least three vegetable vendors will be at the final market selling produce ranging from potatoes, winter squashes in all shapes and colors, beets, onions, leeks, cabbages and corn to some late season summer squash, tomatoes, and greens. Caravan Gardens from Cuttingsville specializes in robust root vegetables, garlic, spicy greens, pesto and Korean kimchi. Emmett Dunbar of Anjali Farms in Londonderry brings his organic and heirloom vegetables and herbs, and jars of homemade applesauce and salad dressings. A newcomer this year is Seward’ s Farm, which has whatever is in season piled high at their booth, trucked down from Wallingford.

If there’ s still room in your shopping bags after picking up fresh local vegetables you may want to tuck in one of Gloria Benson’ s pies. She bakes over ten varieties at Gloria’s Pantry, her home shop on Route 103 in Cuttingsville. With ten years in the business, Benson has perfected the flaky crust she’ s known for. Her nine-inch pies sell for a solid $10.00 each and often customers have difficulty choosing between blueberry, apple, cherry, rasberry-peach, maple-pumpkin, rasberry-blackberry and other fruits in season.

Benson also sells honey, maple syrup and jams, jellies, relishes and pickles from her kitchen. “ I have about forty varieties of jams and jellies,” she says. “ And then there’ s my horseradish jelly for folks who want something a little different.”

This is Benson’ s second year at the market. ” We’ ve been here from the beginning,” she says. “ It’ s been a good one and it will be getting bigger and better every year. And we’ re hoping to have a winter market this year too.” Customers can call ahead to Gloria’ s Pantry (492-3194) to make sure their favorite pie, jam, jelly and pickles will be on hand at the booth.

The Ludlow Farmers Market is one of scores of grassroots markets that build community by bringing together local food and craft producers in small towns across Vermont. When you shop locally and eat locally you are ensuring that your neighbors are paid a fair price for their products and stay in business. You benefit by getting the freshest foods possible and knowing exactly where it came from. The market will be open one more time on Friday October 8, 4:00-7:00, rain or shine.

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