Bristol's Farmers Market Seeing Higher Turnout This Year

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

July 21, 2022

The Bristol Farmers Market has seen higher turnout and a positive response from vendors a quarter of the way through the season.

The Bristol Farmers Market, with is run by the city and the Rotary Club of Bristol, runs every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 29 in the Bristol Health Medical Center’s Parking lot at 15 Riverside Ave.

“It has been a good year so far, with really good weather,” said Jim Albert, chair of the Bristol Farmers Market and past president of the Rotary Club of Bristol. “The new location seems to be working out better. It’s a flatter area that has more room for vendors. We expanded this year from 17 vendors to 21 vendors.”

Albert said that a headcount was taken at last Saturday’s Farmers Market which showed that the Bristol Farmer’s Market is growing.

“We had about 750 people last Saturday,” he said. “We’ve been averaging between 700 and 900 people and it was always around 600 last year. I think the lack of major covid restrictions is also helping. We’ve seen that the crowds are also sticking around and socializing now, not just shopping and leaving.”

There are also more people gathering around the entertainment tent. Albert noted that a guitarist who entertained at the Farmers Market this year told him that he’d received $62 in tips from market visitors versus $15 last year.

This year, there is also additional space for local non-profit organizations to have booths at the Bristol Farmers Market. Albert said that several dozen organizations have signed up.

“Last year we had one spot, now there are two slots for nonprofits to come and tell people about what they do and the programs that they offer,” he said.

Albert said that this is the first year that the Bristol Rotary Club has joined the city in hosting the Bristol Farmers Market. This, he said, allowed for additional flexibility in seeking sponsors for the event.

“In addition to the two nonprofits, we also have a spot for a sponsor every weekend,” said Albert. “Now places like local banks and car dealerships can come up to four times during the season depending on their sponsorship level.”

Albert encouraged those who have yet to visit the Bristol Farmers Market to stop by this weekend.

“The produce is really starting to pick up,” he said. “There are a lot of farms bringing in their tomatoes, corn, squash – you name it. We’re in peak farm season for the next couple of months.”

Albert said that despite the hot weather forecast, there will be plenty of shade under tents.

“We open at 10 a.m. and it will be more like 80 degrees in the morning,” he said. “It shouldn’t get up into the 90s until 2 p.m. and we’ll be gone by then.”

Parking and the entrance to the market is accessible from Hope Street.

The Bristol Farmer’s Market also accepts SNAP, EBT and WIC payments for eligible food from participating vendors. A table has been set up for them to pick up vouchers.

For more information, including a list of food trucks and vendors participating in the 2022 Bristol Farmer’s Market, visit bristolallheart.com/farmersmarket.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.