Letter: Cliff Potter Responds to Request for Farmer's Market

Earlier this week, North Branford resident James Dwyer sent a letter to the editor suggesting the addition of a farmer's market to the Augur Property. Many people seemed to like the idea with Janice Despotakis commenting, "I would love to see a farmer's market in town" and csarcher agreeing, "sounds great to me."

The post also garnered 66 'likes' on North Branford Patch's Facebook page with 25 comments – all in favor of having a farmer's market.

Cliff Potter, former chairman of the Agricultural Commission responded with the following letter: 

Jenn,
The Ag Commission has worked very hard to promote the farmers and farm stands in town. We produced a brochure each year to highlight what is available and where in town they are located. The public needs to support these local farmers more than once a year at a farm market.

A farm market does not work in North Branford because you would draw in competition from outside North Branford. These out of town vendors would infringe on the sales local farmers would get. Also to have a local farmer go to a farm market means they have to pull product and staff away from their regular stand locations to go to a farm market. In theory competing with themselves. 

I have included  a copy of the latest brochure to share. Let's hope people can get out of the mindset of farmer's market and just start visiting the local farmers as often as they can at their well-equipped farm stands and businesses.

Buy local products, they are safer and fresher. Also don't forget our nurseries and other businesses listed in the brochure.
Thanks,   
Cliff Potter (former Ag Commission member)