CT Farmers Market Association

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Westport, CT
CT Farmers Market Association

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Supporting and strengthening CT farmers markets.

10/23/2026

Congratulations to Westport Farmers Market on being named a 2026 CRAZIES Awards finalist as Vendor of the Year! They are the first ever farmers market to be nominated as well as the first non profit.

This CRAZIES Award nomination demonstrates the potential impact of Connecticut’s farmers markets. More than “just places to shop,” they can serve as a vital connection between local farmers and businesses that serve the community at large.

Executive Director Lori Cochran-Dougall credits the chefs who shop the market each week to source local, farm fresh ingredients as an important partner:

“A special thanks to the chefs that have made this happen. It is your search for the tastiest ingredients and your drive to strengthen the chef community through connection that has supported WFM for 20 years.

For 20 years, Westport Farmers Market has been a gathering place for chefs from all over Fairfield County and beyond. Every week, they walk the market, talk directly with the farmers and makers who grow and craft their food, and bring the freshest, best local ingredients back to their kitchens and their guests’ plates.

This reel looks back at some of those moments: chefs shopping the market, swapping ideas with farmers, and building relationships that have shaped menus across our region. That connection between farm and kitchen is at the heart of what we do.” ~ Lori

10/19/2026

🤝 STRONGER TOGETHER

Connecticut’s 120 farmers markets are more than places to shop local—they’re a vital part of our state’s food system. 🌱

Through collaboration, education, advocacy, and shared resources, CTFMA is helping Connecticut’s farmers markets thrive—together. 💚

📖 Read “Stronger Together” on page 46 of the Fall 2026 issue of Edible Nutmeg

09/24/2026

Join the Connecticut Farmers Market Association for a conversation on why producer-only standards matter, how they support local farmers, and what it takes to uphold them. Register at link in bio!

Hear from Heather and Melissa of the Coventry Farmers Market as they share practical insights and lessons learned from managing one of Connecticut’s most established producer-only markets.

Whether you’re a market manager, board member, farmer, or local food advocate, you’ll leave with a stronger understanding of the producer-only model and its impact on our communities.

In addition to the discussion, attendees will receive practical tools and resources to help implement and maintain producer-only standards at their markets, including:

*Sample vendor application questions designed to help farmers clearly understand and document compliance with market policies and producer-only requirements.

*A farm visit checklist covering key observations, verification steps, and best practices for conducting consistent and effective producer inspections.

*Guidance on how to review and interpret crop plans, including what information to look for and how crop plans can support vendor verification and market integrity.

This webinar is ideal for anyone looking to strengthen their market’s producer-only policies, improve vendor review processes, and build greater transparency and trust within their local food community.

Time will be reserved at the end for general questions about running a farmers market. Ask fellow market managers for insight, help and guidance!

Register at link in bio!

09/22/2026

Lori Cochran-Dougall, CTFMA co-founder and Executive Director of the Westport Farmers Market, joins the Filtered by Speckless podcast. From the importance of telling a story to grow your market to attracting high quality vendors to setting standards to creating community, this is a “must hear” for all market managers looking to build community and improve the quality of their market.

Find the episode on the Filtered by Speckless podcast on Spotify.

09/14/2026

We are excited to report that the Farm Credit East Farmers Market Grant program has approved a grant to the CTFMA! These funds will support our efforts to offer quarterly educational programming that provides accessible, high-quality learning and networking opportunities for market managers, farmers, vendors, and involved community members. Funds will also be used to help CTFMA continue to grow and build our organization.

We are grateful to Farm Credit East for their generosity in helping us support and strengthen farmers markets across Connecticut.

Farm Credit East, ACA

08/09/2026

“Great to spend time this week with partners from the Connecticut Farmers Market Association and the state Department of Agriculture, talking about why farmers markets matter so much to our towns: community hubs, small business boosters, and a real source of food access for local families.” ~ Ceci Maher

08/07/2026

Why farmers markets? Why not?
Farmers markets are a backbone of the economy. They provide fresh, healthy, nutritious food to local communities. They keep dollars spent in the community. They are gathering places, social hubs, community centers and so much more. They are one of the few places where you can talk directly to the person who grows the food you eat.

This National Farmers Market Week, let’s all take a moment to celebrate the vital role that farmers markets play in our communities.

📷 Farmers Market Coalition

08/05/2026

Connecticut is fortunate to boast more than 120 thriving farmers markets across the state, providing small farms and businesses with the opportunity to sell nutritious, high-quality food to their neighbors and keeping dollars spent in the local economy. These markets have emerged as a place where we can connect, discover, and shop.

The Connecticut Farmers Market Association (CTFMA) helps strengthen farmers markets across Connecticut by supporting market managers, providing resources and training, and advocating for the local farms and small businesses that make our markets so special.

We need your help!

This National Farmers Market Week and Connecticut Farmers Week, please support the CTFMA. Your donation helps build a stronger future for all Connecticut farmers markets.

https://givebutter.com/ctfma

08/04/2026

Governor Lamont is encouraging residents to visit some of them more than 120 Connecticut farmers markets during this National Farmers Market Week. He has also issued a proclamation declaring it Connecticut Farmers Market Week.

Farmers markets help support the nearly 5,000 farms we have here in Connecticut, providing local, healthy, nutritious food for Connecticut residents while keeping dollars in the community.

Find a list of certified CT farmers markets at ctgrown.gov/farmersmarkets.

08/02/2026

We have great news! The Connecticut Farmers Market Association joins markets across the country in celebrating National Farmers Market Week from August 2–8, 2026.

As part of this year’s celebration, a proclamation signed by Governor Ned Lamont declaring August 2–8, 2026 as CT Farmers Market Week will be read on Thursday, August 6 at 11:00 AM at the Westport Farmers Market, recognizing the vital contributions farmers markets make to Connecticut’s local economy, food system, and communities.

We invite all market managers and directors to join us on August 6 for the reading. If you’d like to attend, simply message us here or email to RSVP.

We see this proclamation as a meaningful step toward our broader goal of solidifying stronger state and government support for farmers markets. The more managers who show up on August 6, the stronger our markets — and our collective voice — will be.

Address

PO Box 322
Westport, CT
06880

Website

https://www.ctfarmersmarketassociation.org/

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