To Market, To Market

The second best thing to a summer farmers market is a winter farmers market. In fact, it’s sometimes even more of a treat because it’s a less common occurrence. Plus the vision of fresh, local vegetables piled high when you step in from the cold is even better than holiday sugarplums.

The Burlington Winter Indoor Farmers Market, held downtown in Memorial Auditorium, is chock full of vendors and customers alike. 

Check out this time lapse video of it. Not only can you find beautiful winter produce, but also cheese, spirits, festive holiday goodies, 

baked goods, such as this gluten free bread made from sorghum flour (the best gluten free bread I’ve ever tasted),

eclectic prepared foods, like this Pakistani/ Afghan fare, 

and colorful crafts, among other things.

Many of these vendors I recognize from the summer farmers market that sprawls throughout and around City Hall Park. Several summers ago I purchased a couple belts for the girls from this crafter.

Similar to the summer market, a musician performs as shoppers stroll the aisles. Since the auditorium is a multi-purpose venue, it comes complete with a stage. 

I once watched my daughters perform in The Nutcracker on that stage at around this time of year. The auditorium is also the former home to the now defunct Vermont Frost Heaves, a professional basketball team; in a nod to history, an old scoreboard hangs above the space.

Also similar to the summer market, dogs are welcome. Though not as plentiful as in the park, they’re just as curious.

I say hello to Vanessa Riva of Stark Hollow Farm, selling her heritage breed pork and grass-fed lamb and rabbit, which has sold out. 

I recently visited her farm to write an article on rabbit for Whisk magazine and had been hoping to purchase some at the market, but I got there too late. 

Time for lunch. I swing back around to a Turkish vendor I had passed by earlier selling an array of enticing edibles: falafel, stuffed cabbage, savory pastries. 

Unlike the summer market, there are no benches, so I wander the aisles trying to juggle eating a stuffed cabbage while shouldering my bag of produce. The dogs make out well with this arrangement.

Then I head back out into the chilly winter air, (almost) ready for the holidays.