Temperatures in the mid 90's with high humidity on Thursday kept traffic at the Westport Farmer's Market down from its usual robust numbers, but vendors were still selling their amazing produce, bread, food products, flowers and a variety of gourmet items.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Since 2006 when Paul Newman and Michel Nischan first floated the idea which resulted with the market opening their “doors“ in the parking lot of the Westport Country Playhouse, this highly acclaimed venture which started with only 14 vendors and and about 500 shoppers that opening day, has grown by leaps and bounds.

The Westport Farmer's Market is an institution cherished by the late Gordon Joseloff, who served two terms as Westport‘s First Selectman. In fact, Joseloff, along with his Second Selectman Shelly Kassen, were instrumental in moving the market to it's current home at 50 Imperial Ave. next to The Westport Women’s Club. Joseloff and Kassen in fact secured the property for the WFM and arranged to pave the lot on which the market now stands along with ample parking alongside the vendor booths and overflow parking available in the lower lot.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

According to Executive Director Lori L. Cochchran-Dougall, "Gordon and Shelly Kassen were instrumental in the success of WFM. They secured the Imperial Lot for the market by paving the lot for the market, helping WFM become a 501c-3, finding me to run the market and assisting in identifying the address of 50 imperial Ave as WFM's physical address. These actions are what helped make WFM an institution in Westport."

Photographs of the Market were a staple of Gordon‘s ubiquitous online publication, “WestportNow.com“ which he founded and ran for many years until his passing in 2020.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

One of the other reasons for the growth and success of the market can be attributed to an exceptional array of fresh farm produce and unique gourmet items which bring visitors returning every week. The market satisfies Westport’s increasing demand for high quality, fresh, healthy food which finds its way to our tables each week. 

Adding to all that, Cochchran-Dougall said, is that they maintain "the strictest guidelines in the state." She told WestportLocalPress,  "We are producer only. Not a craft market. All prepared foods must have one locally farmed and approved item in them. The market is blooming with 45 vendors! Food trucks, GMO free vendors, organic farmers, pizza, yoga, chef demos, tamales, and an eager, hungry lunch crowd. We now welcome thousands of eager shoppers every week."

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

The WFM summer season runs from May through November. The Winter Market then opens at Gilbertie's Herbs and Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Lane, Westport, just off Riverside Ave.

Find out for yourself all that the WFM vendors have to offer. The full list of vendors with links for more info can be found here:

www.westportfarmersmarket.com/vendors/