In June 2006, Wholesome Wave opened Westport's first farmers market, featuring a diverse roster of vendors. As a producer only market, vendors only sell what they grow or produce on their own CT farms. In its third season, the Westport market has grown to include 21 vendors, with an array of offerings that includes pasture raised meats, farmstead cheese, artisan breads, shellfish and prepared foods.

Success in Westport spawned the Fairfield Winter Market, which opened in January 2008, housed indoors at the Fairfield Theatre Company. With the market continuing outdoors through the summer, Fairfield is now a year round farmers market. This winter, Fairfield will host 16 vendors, pulling from both summer markets.

Ox Hollow Farm, Roxbury pasture raised, atibiotic and hormone-free, beef, pork, chicken & eggs oxhollowfarm.com Fort Hill Farm, New Milford certified organic vegetables, salad greens forthillfarm.com Sankow's Beaver Brook Farm, Lyme lamb, cow and sheep's milk cheese, wool, specialty foods beaverbrookfarm.com Riverbank Farm, Roxbury certified organic vegetables, fruit, flowers, prepared foods riverbankfarm.com Rose's Berry Farm, South Glastonbury berries, orchard fruit, pies, jam, vegetables rosesberryfarm.com Westport Aquaculture, Westport clams, blue point oysters, lobster Two Guys from Woodbridge, Hamden Certified organic, hydroponic salad greens Star Light Gardens, Durham certified organic heirloom tomatoes, salad greens, micro greens, herbs Walkingwood, Woodbridge heritage breed eggs, emu eggs, egg crafts Beltane Farm, Lebanon artisan goat milk cheese beltanefarm.com

Wave Hill Breads, Wilton artisan bread : three grain pain de campagne SoNo Baking Company, Norwalk artisan breads, pastries, cookies, tarts sonobaking.com Andrew's Local Honey, Norwalk honey, pollen, honeycomb, propolis, royal jelly cthoney.com Newgate Farm, East Granby vegetables, berries, orchard fruit, baked goods Goatboy Soaps, New Milford handmade goat milk soap, lotions, salve goatboy.us Arogya Tea, Westport fine teas arogya.net Whistle Stop Bakery, Ridgefield savory pot pies, fruit pies, baked goods Moorefield Herb Farm, Trumbull potted plants, seedlings, herbs, topiary Barberry Hill Farm, Madison cut flowers, vegetables, eggs, potted plants, orchard fruit Smiley O's Organic Kids' Candy handmade organic chocolates Boxcar Cantina, Greenwich handmade tamales, salsa, guacamole

In July 2008, Wholesome Wave launched a Double Value Coupon Initiative to augment Food Stamps and the USDA Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). The FMNP provides vouchers to mothers through WIC (Women, Infants and Children), as well as seniors to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets. With the Double Value Coupon, low-income customers receive twice the amount of fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets; a $3 WIC check is worth $6 and $1 in food stamps will buy $2 worth of produce.

Double Value Coupons were distributed in Bridgeport and South Norwalk for redemption at the Westport and Fairfield Farmers Markets. In addition, Wholesome Wave provided grants to two partner organizations, Nuestras Raices in Holyoke, MA and the City Heights Farmers Market in San Diego, CA., to manage the program in their communities.

Despite transportation challenges of distance and inconvenience, an estimated 80 families from Bridgeport and South Norwalk visited the Westport and Fairfield farmers markets in order to redeem double value coupons. In 2009, the program aims to reach 200 Connecticut families.

With support from FOOD & WINE'S Grow for Good Campaign, Double Value Coupons will be available at farmers markets in 10 cities across the country in 2009.

Click here for the Holyoke MA launch of the Farmers Market Nutrition Initiative.

In August 2008, Wholesome Wave launched the Market Box Program at the Norwalk Community Health Center (NCHC). Through this program, Wholesome Wave purchases surplus fruits and vegetables from its Westport market, packs the produce into half-bushel boxes, then delivers and sells the boxes at affordable prices to families with little access to fresh food. Each box, a $20-25 value, may be purchased for $6 in Food Stamps or WIC vouchers. The program benefits families that want to purchase fresh produce but do not have the time or economic means to shop at farmers markets. In addition, farmers benefit by having a wholesale outlet for their end-of-day surplus.

"The Market Box Program helps meet our objectives to promote healthy eating, keep family farmers farming, and offer locally and sustainably grown food to underserved communities," Wholesome Wave Foundation President/CEO Michel Nischan explains.

Contents change weekly. A typical September box included kale, green beans, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, garlic, potatoes, cauliflower, acorn squash, eggplant and three types of apples.

Katherine Dyer explains, "The Market Box Program works because our partner, NCHC, is thoroughly embedded in the community; everyday they see the effects of poor nutrition on families and therefore act as a trusted advocate for our program. We have also reached out directly to WIC offices, churches and community organizations to spread the word.

In addition, our farmers give us exceptional quality and great prices – they understand and support our mission. We plan to expand to Bridgeport in 2009."

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Wholesome Wave Foundation, 728 Post Road East, Suite 202A, Westport, CT 06880
203-226-1112    www.wholesomewave.org    info@wholesomewave.org