BRATTLEBORO — Vendor applications are now being accepted for the seventh season of the Winter Farmers' Market at the River Garden on Main Street. Space for new vendors is limited but interested parties are encouraged to submit an application before the Sept. 1 deadline.
The Winter Market opens on Nov. 3 for the 2012-13 season and will be open every Saturday through March 30, 2013, for a total of 22 markets. The regular market hours for the Winter Farmers' Market will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with hours extended to 3 p.m. for the five markets between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Organizers give preference to regional agricultural vendors to support sustainable agriculture by providing a viable winter-season direct market for local community-based farms while, they said, building community and promoting regional sustainability. The juried markets typically offer locally grown and produced fruits; vegetables; meats; eggs; baked goods; local wines; handcrafted items such as clothing, jewelry, pottery, and soaps; and prepared food for lunch.
New vendors or returning vendors with new products - excluding agricultural vendors with farm produce - must present their items for jury at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the River Garden. Any questions regarding the jury process can be directed to Susan Dunning at 802-228-3230.
The Market's sustainability mission places an emphasis on local sourcing for prepared foods sold at the market, meaning that prepared food vendors are increasingly sourcing products from local and regional growers and producers. In addition, the market continues to look at other ways it can reduce or eliminate waste and improve its environmental footprint.
The Winter Farmers' Market is a project of Post Oil Solutions, a citizen group based in Windham County seeking to advance cooperative, sustainable communities because of its concerns about global climate change and the end of cheap oil. Its goal is to raise awareness about sustainable practices for homes, neighborhoods, and larger communities, and to begin creating the infrastructure needed in the region for a post-oil society. The creation of a community-based food system is a critical component of that infrastructure, according to market organizers.
Vendors interested in applying can find an application and market policy information at www.postoilsolutions.org on the Winter Farmers' Market page from the Food Systems link. Or, call Sherry at 802-869-2141, or send an email to [email protected].