Thanks to Denise Landis for an article that does a great job conveying what the winter farmers’ markets are all about!

[1] Food and fun at the Seacoast Eat Local Winter Farmers’ Markets
By Denise Landis

One of the best ways to have fun in the Seacoast this winter is to visit an indoor farmers’ market. More than just a site where food is sold, a farmers’ market is lively and cheerful, with free entertainment, much to see and marvel at, and a place where it’s more than likely you’ll run into friends and neighbors. Vendors tend to be chatty and fellow shoppers in an amiable mood. What could be better on a wintry Saturday morning?

I visited the Seacoast Eat Local Winter Farmers’ Market on a recent weekend at one of its two locations, the Exeter High School, which alternates with Wentworth Greenhouses in Rollinsford as the market’s site. Although it was a frigid day, there was a fair-like atmosphere even in the parking lot, a steady stream of people hurrying into the warm building, crossing paths with smiling people coming out into the cold air, weighed down with bags. There is ample parking outside the building, but a free service called Veggie Valet offers volunteers who will help carry your bags to your car.

The market opens at 10 o’clock and closes at 2 p.m., and for the best selection, it’s a good idea to arrive before noon. But the crowd, which is bustling without being overwhelming, thins out at around noon, and there is still plenty to see and to buy. People of all ages come to the market, and there is room for wheelchairs and strollers. I’d remembered to bring several canvas bags to carry my groceries, including a Seacoast Eat Local bag I’d bought on a previous visit.

There is a festive atmosphere in the large market, helped by live music, which on this occasion was performed by Jeff Warner, who sang while playing (at different times) banjo, concertina, and spoons, accompanied by Barbara Benn on guitar. He performed a lively mix of ballads, sea chanties, and traditional American tunes while the crowd flowed by, some stopping to watch a while before they moved on.

The happy feeling of the crowd must be partly due to the enthusiasm of the vendors in showing and talking about their products. I spent 15 minutes talking to a farmer about the produce I was buying from him - baby turnips, tiny organic carrots, and long oval red-and-white radishes - and felt a pang of guilt when I paid the small sum it totaled: less than $4.50.

At the stand for New Roots Farm, Jeff Cantara, who owns and operates the business with his wife, Renee Cantara, spoke enthusiastically about their pasture-raised heritage pigs. New Roots Farm produces top-quality chops, bacon, and premium whole-hog sausage, and next year will expand to grass-fed lamb and beef as well as pork.

At the farmers’ market, shopping is easy and feels good for lots of reasons, including the affordable prices of most items. I bought apple-smoked sea salt, cubes of goat meat (destined for curry), and rich dark Grade B maple syrup. A generous wedge of goat cheese with caraway seeds cost $3.50, as did sensational tangy goat-milk chocolate fudge.

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Next market is Saturday February 13th at the new Exeter High School - more details at [3] www.seacoasteatlocal.org