The Bristol Farmers Market has grown from a small parking lot setup on Farmington Avenue/Route 6 into a vital downtown anchor. Originally relocated to Centre Square in 2016 to improve accessibility, the market reorganized as an independent nonprofit in 2024 to ensure long-term community sustainability.
Key milestones include:
- Early Location (Prior to 2016): The market started as a modest community staple in the parking lot of the Price Chopper (now Market 32) plaza. A few local farmers ran and managed the market: Twin Pines Farm from Thomaston, Tonn’s from Burlington, and Gresczyk Farms from New Hartford.
- Downtown Move (2016): It relocated to downtown Centre Square, making it easily walkable and accessible via local bus lines.
- New Downtown Location (2022): the market moved to the parking lot of the Bristol Health Medical Care Center due to the development of Centre Square Village and Wheeler Health in order to keep the market in downtown so it could continue to be in an accessible location.
- Transition to Nonprofit (2024): To guarantee long-term viability and expand community offerings, the market reorganized under a dedicated nonprofit, The Bristol Farmers Market, Inc. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Bristol Farmers market is now able to secure grants and sponsorships to create a revenue stream. Money from the grants and sponsorships has been put toward doubling SNAP benefits, marketing initiatives to promote the market in surroundings towns, and for family-friendly entertainment.
- Accessibility Expansion: In recent seasons, the market has been able to secure grants from the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, End Hunger CT!, and the State of CT Department of Agriculture to offer double SNAP/EBT benefits. In addition, market-eligible vendors also accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers.
- Current Location and New Partnership with Express Kitchens: The market currently operates in the parking lot in front of Express Kitchens, facing South Street (18 Main Street). This new location is more visible to the public from South Street and will allow the market to grow and add new vendors as well as accommodate more nonprofits each week. The partnership with Max Kothari and his team at Express Kitchens is invaluable to growth of the market. Max’s generosity – both financially and with time from his employees – will expand the market’s reach through marketing initiatives and the addition of family-friendly entertainment/something “extra” each week to bring in more customers to the market.
The Bristol Farmers Market, Inc. 