The summer Waitsfield Farmers Market is a great way to get to know the Mad River Valley community and enjoy the range of small scale, locally produced food that characterizes much of Vermont. This quintessential farmers market experience includes a warm, sunny stroll around the Mad River Green (just minutes from each Downstream Enterprises vacation rental property), surrounded by local dairy vendors (a mainstay of Vermont’s landscape over the past two centuries) and vibrant seasonal vegetables. After filling your basket with a taste of the Mad River Valley landscape, enjoy a freshly prepared picnic from a varied cast of vendors including gelato from Sweet Doe farmstead, taiwanese pastries and bowls from Gingerfield Noodles, or farm-friendly grilled cheese and paninis from The Melted Cheeserie.
While many staple Vermont products are available most of the year (most animal products, maple syrup, and local raw honeys), enjoying seasonal fruits and vegetables can be an ephemeral (and always delicious) surprise. To better help you plan your meals on your visit to the Mad River Valley, here is an approximate guide to some fresh produce you might find:
Late Spring/Early Summer
- Chives
- Garlic Scapes
- Ramps
- Fiddleheads
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Rhubarb
- Mushrooms (Particularly in late spring, some vendors produce or sustainably harvest treats like morels.)
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Midsummer
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Chives
- Summer Squash
- Strawberries
- Sugar Snap Peas
- Radishes
- Arugula
- Kale
- Brambles & Blueberries
- Radishes
- Tomatoes
- Rhubarb
- Sprouts
- Peppers (Of all sorts! the famous Mad Taco uses peppers from the farm on Marble Hill near premiere vacation rental Wilder Farm Inn on the Mountain.)
Late Summer/Early Fall
- Apples
- Basil
- Beets
- Blackberries
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Cantaloupe
- Chard
- eggplant
- Peppers
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Kohlrabi
- Lettuce
- Pears
- Sweet Potatoes and yams
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
The Waitsfield Farmers Market opened last week for the first time this spring, and local shoppers and producers both enjoyed the chance to safely meet and share clean food and spring’s bounty. As the season continues, the market is also often a host to local musicians and crafters, and this year remains a healthy, convenient, and fun opportunity for community gathering. When you visit, enjoy a trip to the farmers market and continue the adventure in a lovely chef’s kitchen at your home away from home! Find more information on all the wonderful producers and crafters you might meet at the Waitsfield Farmers Market here.
*This article produced with help from the Seasonal Food Guide.