By Phoebe Miller

WESTPORT–Notes of Ray Charles’ “Georgia on My Mind” wafted through the air from a one-man band, blending with the smell of fresh vegetables taken straight from the soil, warm bread and fruit-flavored popsicles.

The Westport Farmers Market, founded in 2006 and catering to customers every Thursday from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., May through November, brings together agriculture and lifestyle to serve customers and vendors from countless distinct backgrounds. 

Carefully vetted

“You can tell that it’s a real community here, which is awesome, and the vendors are like, really vetted,” Miranda Gould, owner of Monroe-based New Petal Flower Farm, said as she displayed a colorful bouquet to a customer. “You know that everyone who is farming and selling actually grows it, and that they’re not buying it in, which means a lot.”

Norwalker Linda Yingling, a seasoned patron of the market, estimated she has been attending the market for 20 years. As she loaded unhusked corn into reusable bags, she rattled off her shopping list for the day.

“Corn, peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, and I’d love to have a watermelon,” she said.

Not just human food

A yellow Labrador wagged its tail as Paul Gallant, founder of Paul’s Custom Pet Food, based in New Milford, Conn., fed treats into the dog’s mouth. Gallant’s business, which uses locally-sourced materials from farmers, has operated a booth at the market for 11 of the 12 years it has been running, according to Gallant.

“Every week, new people have come through this market,” he said. “Some markets get very static, very stable. Not this market. It’s always pumping, it’s always lively, that’s what makes it special.”

Some visitors are first-time customers of the market.

Fabian Neiman said he is from Miami but originally hails from Argentina, and goes to a farmers market once or twice a year in Florida. “We came here with my family just to see what it’s all about,” Neiman said. “We purchased some empanadas… [They’re] difficult to find in this town.”

Not just food

Food and drink are not the only products available to buy, with artisanal products such as candles and jewelry for sale in booths, too. Jill Scholsohn owns Riverstone Jewelry, and sources her products from nations around the world, reflected in the colorful pieces that spanned the tables in her booth. She is not only drawn to the market as a vendor, but as a customer.

When asked what her favorite food vendor was, she answered, “Boxcar Cantina. I love everything. I come early and I take home food for my freezer. I brought a cooler,” she said, and gestured to a blue cooler sitting under one of her tables.

Scholsohn underscored the genuine connections vendors make with customers while working at the market, a detail that could be observed from walking around the marketplace.

“I love the people and the food… I love the customers,” she said. “They’re just patient and lovely. I get hugs all day long.”