MANVILLE: Farmers’ market’s days dwindling down

Street sale of veggies runs to the end of September

By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
    The farmers’ market on South Main Street will end its three-month run on South Main Street on Sept. 29. The farmer’s market will be open on Fridays, Sept. 14 and 21, and the last week Sept. 29 from noon-5.
    The market, featuring Norz Farm in Hillsborough and Green Acres Farm, has had a successful summer in town.
    Debbie Norz was happy to be back in Manville this year.
    “Business has been good,” she said. “I believe more people are coming and they are more aware of the products that we offer, and that it means something special being grown locally.”
    Ms. Norz said this year’s change in location helped a lot. Last year the market was in the parking lot behind the hedges, hidden from view. Being on the sidewalk out front was good for them, she said.
    With the changes in the seasons, winter squash has been brought in, but watermelon and cantaloupes are done for the season.
    “Whatever we harvest, we bring,” Ms. Norz said.
    Apples from orchards are on sale and other types will be coming weekly. Apple cider will be available, as will seasonal cider and pumpkin donuts. Apple and pumpkin pies will be on the tables soon.
”I am going to try to bring pumpkins,” said Ms.Norz, “but I am not sure as people like to come to the farm themselves and go pumpkin picking and do the whole pumpkin experience by pulling it off the vine themselves.”
    She said she loves coming to Manville on Fridays.
    ”Manville is a great town,” she said. “The people ýPage=003 Column=003 OK,0000.00þ
in Manville all pull together. There is such a great sense of community coming in,” said Ms. Norz.
    “If they’ll have us, we will be back next year,” she said.
    Peggy Samuels of Green Acres Farm said her summer in Manville has been “great and the people here in Manville are fabulous.
    “There has been a marked increase in the population that comes every week, compared to last year,” she said.
    She brought acorn and butternut winter squash for the first time last week.
    “You know summer is ending when there are no more peaches,” she said.
    This week Green Acres Farms will have more apples, winter squash, potatoes and tomatoes, which will be available until the first frost.
    “The people of Manville have been really great and a special shout-out to my good friend Irene,” she said.
    Ms. Samuels hopes to be back again next year, too. “Without a doubt,” she said.