By Zana Tarsi

WESTPORT–The Westport Farmers’ Market is celebrating its 20th season this year, continuing to bring the community together while providing residents with fresh, locally grown food. The market takes place every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and runs from May 7 through Nov. 5 at 50 Imperial Avenue.

Today, the market is a large community event, with over 50 vendors and thousands of customers visiting throughout the season. Although the Westport Farmers’ Market is now an established tradition in town, it comes from much humbler beginnings. 

The market was founded in 2006 by Paul Newman and chef Michel Nischan in connection with their restaurant, The Dressing Room. The first market was held in the parking lot of the Westport Country Playhouse, with just 14 vendors and about 500 customers.

Over time, the market grew from an extension of the restaurant into its own independent nonprofit organization, attracting visitors from Westport and surrounding communities. It also expanded beyond the summer season to include a dedicated Winter Market, held at Gilbertie’s Herbs and Garden Center at 7 Sylvan Lane.

Today, the Westport Farmers’ Market has grown far beyond its beginnings. In addition to featuring local farmers, food producers and businesses, the market works with other important members of the Westport community, including Staples High School and Food Rescue US.

Through its partnership with Staples High School’s Culinary Arts Program, students prepare meals for the Gillespie Center using fresh ingredients from the farmers’ market. The market also partners with Food Rescue US, which collects fresh, unsold food from vendors and distributes it to people in need throughout Fairfield County.