The Old Greenwich Farmers Market, a small town tradition, which has happened every Wednesday afternoon during the Summer and Fall for the past fifteen years, is looking for a different location because the pastor told me this past week over the phone "neighbors complained to us about noise and parking issues". Actually, the truth is that the new Pastor is building 2 houses on the property with 10 bedrooms, and they declined to renew the market location which is unfortunate to Old Greenwich families because many of us are just learning about this now as the Summer is upon us.

I have spoken to the church pastor and requested that they reconsider knowing that this will affect potentially thousands of local residents, including moms and dads with young kids who enjoyed biking to the farmers market and having their kids use the playground while they shopped. Perhaps they could still build their new residences and keep the market open while we have the time to select a new Old Greenwich location that is walkable and bike-able for OG residents. The loss of our beloved Farmers' Market is significant to this town. It has existed in OG for 15 years, since it was co-founded by local volunteers, Amy & Kevin Burke and Dana Evans. We, as a community, should have an option for input and be able to vote on where we want the market to be located.

Planning and Zoning Director, Patrick LaRow, has explained that the Market organizers have put a permit petition in for the Riverside St. Catherine’s Church location, but there is still time to submit a permit for whatever location the Old Greenwich community decides upon. I know the change of location, regardless of where it is moved to, is going to hurt many families in Old Greenwich who relied on that easily accessible, community gathering place close to the Village– a weekly respite with CT grown and organic food that is not available elsewhere. From fresh shishito peppers and homegrown tomatoes, to bouquets of colorful organic flowers, corn, homemade pesto, hummus, and popsicles, Farmers' Markets are a Summer routine that children learn to love and count on once a week. Farmers’ Markets are something special to do with their families that is also educational, teaching about sustainability, composting and organic gardening. The local Garden Club often had a table to share information about their volunteer work. Acoustic music was shared by local musicians. The  OG Farmers' Market is a long-standing, joyful and healthy gathering space for all ages.

Moving the farmers market to Riverside  would involve a much larger hill to climb for bicycles, and makes this unwalkable in the Summer heat for most pedestrians. Some parents may not want to travel that far and up the hills with their young children by Babboe cargo bikes or bicycle and would resort to using the car to drive from Old Greenwich to Riverside. Ironically, this may cause more car traffic past the Living Hope Church, as more cars would have to drive from OG to Riverside. This also might cause some OG families to not go to the market at all. This is heartbreaking for many OG families.

Please sign and share this petition to keep the Farmers’ market in OG. If the Living Hope Church is unable to host the event, I’m sure we can find another alternative location in our town. Perhaps the new Civic Center? I have spoken to the Civic Center this week, and requested they consider helping the community with a minimum of 25% of the 216 space, town-owned, parking lot across the street for the market, which is only one half day per week in the Summer and Fall months. This would at least allow the Old Greenwich residents to have a flat, walkable and bike-able place to purchase organic food once a week. My second wish is bike paths for the kids to the Civic Center... but I'm not sure who I have to ask about that. A project for another day...

Thank you for sharing. We now have 230 signatures in favor of keeping the Farmers' Market in OG! Let's get this to 500 signatures and see if we can convince our First Selectmen, Fred Camillo, Board of Select"women" (Lauren Rabin and Rachel Khanna) , and the  Civic Center to step in and save our OG Market this Summer. Please share your comments and endorsements, below, so the selectmen can see them now to escalate this issue, and for potential discussion at the June 11th meeting at the Town of Greenwich. All comments must be submitted by June 10th at 4pm to be considered at the meeting. You may call them directly:

Fred Camillo
First Selectman
Phone: 203-622-7710

Lauren Rabin
Selectwoman
Phone: 203-622-7710

Rachel Khanna
Selectwoman
Phone: 203-622-7710

or use the contact form on the Town website to submit your comments here https://www.greenwichct.gov/FormCenter/Office-of-First-Selectman-6/Board-of-Selectmen-Comment-Form-for-the--657

by June 10th at 4pm for the June 11th meeting.

Thank you!

Read the Latest Update on this Petition:

• June 5th Update - Other Suggested Sites

• June 7 Update - Lots Adjacent to OG School

• June 8 Update - New Details Emerged
Please Contact Selectmen Today 

Please share this Petition with Friends & Neighbors using this customized link:

https://www.change.org/OGFarmersMarket

Sincerely,

Colleen M. Proppé 
OG Artist, Twin Mom, Organic Advocate
CPROPPE.com/Shop