Gilbertie’s of Westport to Host Winter Farmers’ Market
Saturday, November 20th, 2010
Gilbertie's Herb Gardens in Westport is the largest grower of USDA Organic herbs in the US and is host to Westport's 2010 indoor winter farmers' market.
Don’t let the cold weather deceive you, there’s plenty of local food to be had in Connecticut, even in the dead of winter. Three farms that grow during all four seasons with the help of hoop houses and greenhouses will be bringing their organic produce to the newly minted indoor winter farmers’ market in Westport at Gilbertie’s Herb Gardens. And it’s heated. A happy circumstance for both vendors and guests who can look forward to toasting their fingers and toes as they sip coffee and tea, lunch, and shop inside a warm greenhouse festively adorned with white Christmas lights.
Not impressed? How about a budget-friendly gourmet lunch from a different farm-to-table restaurant each week? Don’t miss opening day, Thursday, December 9, as celebrated chef Bill Taibe of leFarm restaurant of Westport dishes up lunch. If you’ve never dined at leFarm, it’s reason enough to make the trip, just don’t forget to bring a friend for the social currency.

Harvest to Heat is as much a story book as it is a cookbook, sharing delightful backstories for each farm fresh ingredient and recipe.
Both Bill and one of the farms from which he sources organic food, Millstone Farm in Wilton, are celebrated in the newly released and very beautiful cookbook, Harvest to Heat: Cooking with America’s Best Chefs, Farmers, and Artisans, which was just named Best Cookbook Overall 2010 by Epicurious. If you subscribe to the Hallmark Channel, tune in to the Martha Stewart Show next Wednesday, November 24, where Bill Taibe will be a guest chef.
Each week one of the following restaurants will provide lunch and prepared foods at the market: leFarm, Schoolhouse at Cannondale, The Dressing Room, or Fat Cat Pie. Because you won’t want to miss any of them, I’ll post the name of each week’s restaurant on Facebook and Twitter. Schoolhouse at Cannondale chef/owner Tim LaBant’s uncompromising commitment to serving the highest quality fresh, local, and seasonal food has won Schoolhouse numerous awards including a Top 10 Ranking on Open Table’s Best of the tri state area, Best Special Occasion restaurant 2010 by Westport Magazine, and the top Fairfield County Pick for the Best of New England 2010 guide. Now the only special occasion you have to wait for is their week at the indoor Westport farmers’ market.
In addition to the guest restaurants, Boxcar Cantina, the first restaurant in Connecticut to earn a Green Restaurant certification, and brick oven caterer Skinny Pines, a 2010 Green Coast Award recipient, will be regular weekly vendors. Catch a Healthy Habit Cafe will vend lunch every other week, starting opening day. Arrive early to avoid the lunch lines and if you can, get there are 11:00 to enjoy free weekly talks about herbs and gardening from experts at Gilbertie’s.
The indoor Westport winter farmers’ market will be held each Thursday, except December 23, from 10-1 at Gilbertie’s of Westport on 7 Sylvan Lane. Opening day is December 9, 2010 and the market closes for the season on March 31. Market to car grocery valets available upon request.
Winter 2010 Weekly Vendors
- Boxcar Cantina
- Skinny Pines Catering
- Catch a Healthy Habit Cafe (alternating weeks)
- Beltane Farm
- Ladies of Levita Road Farm
- SoNo Baking Company
- Fort Hill Farm
- Two Guys from Woodbridge
- Riverbank Farm
- Wave Hill Bread
- Raus Coffee
- Arogya Tea
- Izzie B’s
- Colyer Catering
- Greyledge Farm
- Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm
- Huckleberry Artisan Pastry
- Boxed Goods
- Calcutta Kitchen
- Whistle Stop Bakery
- Bone-A-Part
- Pemaquid Seafood Harvesters *New




