BRATTLEBORO — Vendor applications are being accepted for the 12th season of the Brattleboro Winter Farmers' Market, which will be held at the River Garden in the heart of Brattleboro.
Space for new vendors is limited, but interested parties are encouraged to submit an application prior to the Sept. 15 deadline.
The Brattleboro Winter Farmers' Market opens Nov. 4 for the 2017-18 season and will be open every Saturday through March 31, 2018, for a total of 22 markets. Weekly market hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A wide array of products are typically offered, including locally grown and produced fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, baked goods, local wines, handcrafted items such as clothing, jewelry, pottery, soaps, lunch menus, and more.
Preference is given to regional agricultural vendors interested in bringing new, unduplicated products to market. The market's mission is to support sustainable agriculture by providing a viable, winter-season, direct market outlet for local community-based farms while building community and promoting regional sustainability.
This is a juried market. New vendors or returning vendors with new craft, prepared food, or value-added products will need to present their items for jury at 5 p.m., on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Community Room of the Brattleboro Food Co-op. Agriculture vendors selling farm produce don't need to be juried.
Additionally, the market's sustainability mission emphasizes local sourcing for prepared foods sold at the market, meaning prepared food vendors are increasingly sourcing products from local and regional growers and producers. Any questions regarding the jury process can be directed to Susan Dunning at 802-228-3230.
The Winter Farmers' Market is a project of Post Oil Solutions, a citizen group seeking to advance cooperative, sustainable communities due to concerns about global climate change and the end of cheap oil. Its goal is to raise awareness about sustainable practices for our homes, neighborhoods, and larger communities, and begin creating the infrastructure needed in our region for a post-oil society.
The creation of a community-based food system is a critical component of that infrastructure.