Stew Leonard's Farmer's Market Fall Festival to Highlight Local Produce
NORWALK, Conn. -- Local corn, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, peaches, and apples will be front and center at Stew Leonard's "It's All Native" farmer's markets events scheduled to take place at all four store locations throughout September and October.
Growers from family farms in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey will be available at the markets to answer customer questions on where the food comes from and how it's grown.
"The biggest benefit to buying local for many consumers is simply that the food just tastes better, because it is fresher," said Stew Leonard's president and c.e.o. Stew Leonard Jr. "The farmers that we work with literally deliver the fruits and vegetables to our stores the same day they are picked from the field."
"The farmers participating in these events welcome the opportunity to answer any customer questions, such as tips on selecting the best produce, new varieties they are growing, and favorite ways to cook and serve their produce," noted Scott Varanko, manager of Stew Leonard's Norwalk produce department.
The events will be held in front of each store from noon until 4 p.m. at the following locations and dates:
--Saturday, Sept. 15: Stew Leonard's Yonkers, N.Y. store
--Saturday, Sept. 22: Stew Leonard's Norwalk, Conn. store
--Saturday, Sept. 29: Stew Leonard's Newington, Conn. store
--Saturday, Oct. 6: Stew Leonard's Danbury, Conn. store
Other activities at the events will include chef demonstrations, free customer sampling, and face painting and free balloons for children. Additionally, Northeast television personality Produce Pete will be at the Yonkers store event from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Growers from family farms in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey will be available at the markets to answer customer questions on where the food comes from and how it's grown.
"The biggest benefit to buying local for many consumers is simply that the food just tastes better, because it is fresher," said Stew Leonard's president and c.e.o. Stew Leonard Jr. "The farmers that we work with literally deliver the fruits and vegetables to our stores the same day they are picked from the field."
"The farmers participating in these events welcome the opportunity to answer any customer questions, such as tips on selecting the best produce, new varieties they are growing, and favorite ways to cook and serve their produce," noted Scott Varanko, manager of Stew Leonard's Norwalk produce department.
The events will be held in front of each store from noon until 4 p.m. at the following locations and dates:
--Saturday, Sept. 15: Stew Leonard's Yonkers, N.Y. store
--Saturday, Sept. 22: Stew Leonard's Norwalk, Conn. store
--Saturday, Sept. 29: Stew Leonard's Newington, Conn. store
--Saturday, Oct. 6: Stew Leonard's Danbury, Conn. store
Other activities at the events will include chef demonstrations, free customer sampling, and face painting and free balloons for children. Additionally, Northeast television personality Produce Pete will be at the Yonkers store event from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.