Lakes Region to add 3 farmers markets

BELMONT — A new farmers market is coming to Belknap County this summer, and farmers are excited for the new opportunities coming with it. 

Paul and Angela Gareau moved to Belmont in 2020 intent on starting businesses. COVID hit the country soon after their arrival and found themselves in the position to start a farm. In that time period, Arándano Farm was born. Angela started a gluten-free bakery, Gluten Free or Die, in Belmont and the rest was history.

“My wife and I started a farm and bakery in Belmont in 2021,” Paul said Tuesday. “We had a five-year plan to move here in 2020 and start businesses. COVID definitely gave us the push.”

Through working in local agriculture, getting to know other farmers and their operations in the region, Gareau noticed a distinct lack of infrastructure to sell goods produced at those businesses, and began to organize a series of farmers markets in order to help agricultural businesses make money.

“We’re doing well so far,” he said, noting that this will be their fourth year of operations. 

The farmers markets, organized under his benefit corporation Belknap Area Market Management, will run between late May and early October and will be held in: Laconia, at Weirs Community Park on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. from May 25 to Oct. 5; in Tilton at 45 Sanborn Rd. on Tuesdays between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. from May 28 through Oct. 8; and in Meredith at Burton Business Park on Fridays  between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. from May 24 to Oct. 4.

The Gareaus found initial success selling their chicken, pork, eggs, microgreens, vegetables and other products locally in Belmont and learned they’d found a hit after Angela sold chicken-shaped, gluten-free cookies which proved quite popular, Paul said. 

That’s when Angela’s bakery took off and they realized a large demand for both gluten-free baked goods and healthy, locally-sourced farm products including meat, produce and other items. 

“The number one thing for us as small food producers — we need good places to sell our products,” Paul said. 

Paul said there had been fleeting attempts in the past at organizing farmers markets, which may have stayed open for a year or two but would inevitably fail because of the immense effort required to get such events up and running. 

“We needed to get something going that’s more stable,” he said. “Having them in our county, I really feel like is going to revitalize the farming community here.”

So far, Paul has about 70 vendors lined-up to sell their wares and produce between the three farmers markets — some of the vendors are full-time, and will appear at each of the market’s locations. Some are part-time and may only appear at one of the three. He and Angela will rotate between each of them week-to-week. 

But Paul considered what effect oversaturation could have and plans to limit each market date to just 20 unique vendors throughout the season. This strategy should ensure that vendors do not see reduced sales.

“Some vendors only go to one market,” Paul said. “I do have a small number that will go to all three.”

But the road to kicking off the season hasn’t been easy — Paul and Angela have navigated several difficult challenges, especially in finding enough helping hands, to make it all succeed. 

“There’s been a lot [of challenges], starting this from scratch,” Paul said. “Last fall, I decided to run it as a benefit corporation. Finding locations that can have enough space for up to 20 vendors.”

Paul said organizers focused on selecting locations that have lots of traffic nearby plus ample parking available in order to accommodate locals and tourists, who will likely comprise a large portion of their customer base through the summer. Then there were the challenges in marketing the events. 

“A big part of the job has been spreading the word,” he said. “We’ve used Facebook, going onto the town groups. There’s been a lot of support.”

But all of that hard work should pay off in a big way, he said. Local farmers and other vendors have already told him they’re excited about the opportunities born from farmers markets. 

“There’s definitely been a lot of enthusiasm,” Gareau said. “Everybody knows there’s a need for this.”

Organizers of the markets suggest having cash when attending the events, because all of the vendors can manage cash and can avoid paying additional transaction fees associated with electronic banking.

Vendors are also able to accept payment through SNAP and EBT benefits and credit cards can be used to purchase “market tokens,” which are accepted by all of the vendors in place of cash. Veteran’s vouchers are also available to be claimed with a military ID and can be used to purchase food products in September. 

Each farmers market will also include a food truck and live music. Organizers are fundraising for costs associated with renting a van, providing the tents used at the welcome desk and to shade the musical performances, assist with setup costs for the events and to provide tables and benches for those attending the farmers markets, among other items. 

Anyone interested in contributing to the fundraiser can visit gofundme.com/f/support-your-local-food-system.

“It’s something for the community and something that depends on community support and involvement,” Gareau said.