The Meat House Launches New Avon Farmers' Market

Avon's farmers' market scene has been sporadic over the years, but on June 26 filled that void, launching its first one.

"Avon doesn't have a farmers' market, which is why I could see some potential here," said Ron Pinto, sales manager for Woodbury-based , which sells its products at The Meat House and had a booth on opening day.

The farmers' market featured 10 vendors Tuesday in the grassy area behind the shopping plaza at the corner of Route 44 and Dale Road.

"What a better way to showcase them than to have a farmers' market," Hali Miller, marketing coordinator for The Meat House, said.

Laurie Surprenant, co-owner of Leaps & Bones said she and her business partner, Amy Kenkel "jumped at the chance" to be included. Leaps & Bones gluten-free and wheat-free handmade, natural dog biscuits are sole at The Meat House.

The South Windsor store, located in the Evergreen Walk, will be expanding to offer delivery through its website to areas like Simsbury, Avon, Canton and West Hartford. Surprenant also said she has wholesale plans, starting off distributing the brand to mom and pop stores and then possibly grocery stores.

This is not the first farmers' market experience for Carol Williams, who co-owns American Pie, of Simsbury, with her son, John. Her pies, cookies and cookie bars are sold at The Meat House, but she also brought tea bread to the farmers' market.

"The main thing I feel is face-to-face contact with customers," she said.

in Simsbury sells produce and flowers from its stand and to The Meat House, but has low exposure, so the staff hope the farmers' market will boost their publicity.

"It's nice out here because it's such a commercial area," employee Clare Ulrich said.

Miller said she hopes it will grow into a larger community event that has activities like yoga. Some Avon High School graduates will be playing jazz music there in July. She expects there to be more vendors next month, including Capa di Roma, of East Hartford, Garlic Head'z, of Torrington, Noujaim's, of Torrington, Ripe, a Southern Connecticut cocktail mixer company, Karma Eggs, of Canton, and a local author.

The farmers' market is scheduled for the last Tuesday of every month through the end of September.

The Meat House is located at 395 West Main St. You can find out more information by calling the store at 860-676-4444.