Despite the winter slowly setting in, CitySeed Winter Market is taking great pains to ensure that New Haven residents have access to fresh farm ingredients, no matter the season.
Running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Metropolitan Business Academy on 115 Water St., the market has a large offering of fresh products, ranging from cider and vegetables to a myriad of dairy and meat products. CitySeed Winter Market, one of the lone farmers’ markets operating year-round in Connecticut, began on Jan. 14 and will run with various vendors through March 25. According to the market’s website, it provides Elm City residents a “warm, welcoming community gathering place where shoppers can celebrate local food during the cold winter months.”
Besides fruit, vegetable and dairy products, the market also showcased products such as local raw honey, heritage breed pasture-raised pork and many other ingredients that claimed, for example, no preservatives or enzymes had been used in their production processes.
In addition to the traditional farmers’ market ingredients, the winter market showcases special guests and events that rotate throughout the season. This Saturday, the market featured a cooking demo, as well as stands highlighting small businesses such as Three Girls Vegan, Savor Fine Foods, Crepes & Coffee, The Caseus Cheese Truck and other special vendors.
Sonia Aprea, the owner of Sweet Treats by Sonia, was one of these special vendors, and raved about her experience at the market.
“I really enjoy it,” she said. “The people are friendly and nice and it is a good market.”
While displaying their cinnamon rolls and cookies, Aprea and her business colleague shared the story of their business with the News. As Aprea is originally from Puerto Rico, she said she likes to add a “special Latin flavor” to her desserts. Though she started out with cinnamon rolls, she has since expanded to baking breads, cookies and treats. The market is also an opportunity for aspiring vendors to gain clientele and display their goods to the New Haven community during vendors’ less active months.
“I would like to get my name more out there,” Aprea said. “New Haven is an awesome spot [to do that].”
By 12:30 p.m., much of the produce and treats in the market had sold out.
This market, alongside all other CitySeed Farmers’ Markets, offers a Food Stamp Double Value Coupon Program, an incentive program that gives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients the opportunity to double their dollar at each market every week, according to the market’s website.