Welcome to the Valley Verve, your guide to life in the Farmington Valley!

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Whenever I shop for fresh produce, I’m reminded that good food isn’t just about carbs—though don’t get me wrong, I love a loaf of bread like it’s family. The fork, the spoon, the bread—it’s basically a utensil. A carb, yes, but also a tool. My admiration is multi-faceted. But there’s something about biting into a just-picked vegetable that makes you realize, oh right, these things are supposed to have flavor. Not the kind of flavor that comes from garlic, oil, or a desperate shake of seasoning—but real, earthy, sweet, straight-from-the-dirt kind of flavor.

I say this as someone who’s been surviving off apples from last fall and cucumbers that logged more frequent flyer miles than I did last year. Local, in-season produce hits differently—it’s a reminder that vegetables can actually be the star of the plate, not just the thing you steam and forget.

June kicks off our local produce season, and the Valley is bursting with flavor and fun. Here’s where to find farm-fresh fruits, veggies, flowers, and more—to make a great meal or afternoon out.

Canton Main Street Farmers Market Sundays, 10 AM–1 PM, near the Collinsville Post Office (Starting June 8) - Live music, local vendors, and seasonal produce—all with that perfect small-town charm just like Gilmore Girls.

West Hartford Farmers’ Market Tuesdays & Saturdays, 9 AM–1 PM, Municipal Lot at Arapahoe & LaSalle Road - Now in its 35th season, this long-standing market runs May through December and features an impressive spread: fresh fruits and vegetables, maple syrup, flowers, cheese, jams, baked goods, and more—all from Connecticut farms.

Blue Back Farmers’ Market (West Hartford) Sundays, 10 AM–1 PM, West Hartford Town Hall Lot - A vibrant, CT Grown–certified market with 20+ vendors, live music, author readings, food trucks, and rotating community programs. It’s more than a market—it’s a Sunday destination for the whole family.

Eaton Farm (Farmington) Open daily 7 AM–7 PM - The farmstand is open daily, providing a variety of seasonal vegetables, herbs, and fruits. Beyond produce, they feature hanging flower baskets, seedlings, and unique items like vegan jams and local honey. For those prepping their gardens, they offer straw, mulch, topsoil, and even firewood for those summer bonfires.

Sub Edge Farm (Farmington) Tues–Sat, 10 AM–6 PM | Sun, 10 AM–3 PM - This certified organic farm offers a thoughtfully curated farm shop with fruit, vegetables, grass-fed meat, eggs, milk, herbs, and flowers. You can shop à la carte or sign up for a CSA share to enjoy seasonal bounty all summer long. CSA pickups are also available at Zohara in West Hartford.

Flamig Farm Store (West Simsbury) Open daily, 9 AM–5 PM, April–November - Beyond the farm-fresh organic eggs, Flamig Farm Store also offers herbs, local goods, and hands-on charm—including Farmer Nevin. You might spot just-hatched chicks or ducklings—and yes, you can pet them! For an additional fee of $8 per person (anyone under 2 or over 80 is free!), you can also visit the petting zoo.

When I think about past Father’s Days, I always picture a visit to a clam shack. For years, we’d celebrate my dad with fried clam strips. My favorite spot was Flo’s in Middletown, RI, just across the causeway from Newport. I’d order a lobster roll or fried fish, and we’d sit out on the deck overlooking the beach, soaking in the start of summer. And of course, no Father’s Day was complete without a stop at a roadside ice cream stand on the way home, often Gray’s Ice Cream in Tiverton.

Driving to Flo’s from the Valley takes a little over two hours. But if you’re looking for that same mix of seafood, scenery, and sweet moments with Dad—with a shorter haul—there are some great spots along the Connecticut Shore, just about an hour from home. Here’s a ready-made day trip to help you celebrate in salty, satisfying style.

Lunch at Skipper’s Seafood Restaurant (Niantic) – Start with a shoreline staple—crispy fried clams, golden scallops, or a heaping platter of fish and chips at Skipper’s, a beloved local spot with outdoor seating and no-frills charm. It’s exactly the kind of place that feels like summer.

Wander the Book Barn (Niantic) – After lunch, stop to visit a the quirky, sprawling Book Barn. With multiple buildings, whimsical decor, and thousands of used books & cd’s (remember those?), it’s a treasure hunt for readers of all ages. Don’t miss the resident goats, frogs and cats—they’re part of the charm.

Hit the Beach at Rocky Neck State Park (East Lyme) – With a new to you book in hand, head a few minutes down the road to Rocky Neck State Park. Whether Dad wants to relax on the sand, explore coastal trails, or admire the iconic stone pavilion, this beachside spot has something for everyone.

Cool Down at Hallmark Drive-In (Old Lyme) – On your way back inland, make a sweet stop at Hallmark Drive-In. Known for its sundaes, and retro roadside vibes, it’s a nostalgic treat both kids and grown-ups will love.

Notes from someone who’s convinced strawberry picking counts as cardio.

June is peak strawberry season, and it always brings to mind shortcake, freezer jam, and that simple, sun-kissed sweetness you can only get this time of year. I love picking fruit—it makes me feel like I’ve earned it. Basically, it’s like squatting—hello, glutes! Bonus points if you throw in a dramatic “bend and snap” move while you're at it (I hear it works, according to the lady on White Lotus).

But seriously, it feels like the berries taste even better because I put in the work. I turn it into an outing by heading out to one of the local farms, making it the perfect June tradition.

From experience, here’s my advice: get there early. Start at the front of each row—people often don’t look down right away—or walk all the way to the end where others didn’t want to bother. That’s where you’ll find the biggest, juiciest, reddest strawberries. Trust me, a morning spent picking those treasures means you’ve earned them—and you can reward yourself with a strawberry daiquiri (or two), as if you’re on a beach vacation.

Deeply Rooted Farms – Harwinton, CT – A family-run farm known for its extended strawberry season, sometimes lasting from late May through October. They cultivate a variety of strawberries, from heirlooms to modern hybrids. The farm provides picking containers and has restroom facilities for visitors. See their notes from the field for the latest crop availability.

Brown’s Harvest – Windsor, CT – Just north of Hartford, Brown’s Harvest offers a festive twist on strawberry picking with their annual Strawberry Festival, June 14 & 15th 10 AM - 4 PM. Expect live music, food trucks, berry-themed treats and kids activities in addition to pick-your-own fields. Check their website for more festival details and crop updates.

Lyman Orchards – Middlefield, CT – About 45 minutes from West Hartford, Lyman Orchards is one of the largest pick-your-own fruit destinations in the state. They provide a full-day outing experience with a bakery, golf, and a maze on-site during the summer. Don’t miss their Strawberry Festival on June 21, 2025, featuring live music, fresh strawberry treats, pony rides, and more. Their website offers reliable updates on picking conditions.

Scott’s Yankee Farmer – East Lyme, CT – Closer to the coast, Scott’s Yankee Farmer is a family-friendly destination offering pick-your-own strawberries. They also have a small market on-site and offer summer raspberries shortly after the strawberry season. Stop in if you make the day trip in the Father’s Day Guide.

Avon - Before it was Avon, it was…Northington? That’s right—this peaceful, picturesque town was originally a part of Farmington and known as Northington Parish. In 1830, it was officially incorporated as a separate town and given a new name: Avon.

Why “Avon”? Many believe the name was inspired by the Avon River in England, likely chosen to reflect a sense of beauty, tranquility, and perhaps even a nod to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. It was part of a 19th-century trend to give New England towns more distinguished or romantic-sounding names as they grew.

But while the name may be poetic, Avon’s past is full of grit and resilience. Once a stagecoach stop and agricultural hub, Avon also played a key role in the Farmington Canal era. Remnants of the old canal still run through town—a ghost of an ambitious transportation dream that was later replaced by the railroad.

📜 Did You Know? Avon is home to the oldest known human settlement in southern New England. In 2018, archaeologists uncovered a Paleoindian site near the Farmington River, revealing over 15,000 artifacts dating back more than 12,000 years. It’s the only site in the region with clear layers showing repeated human activity—and materials from far beyond Connecticut.

🔍Valley Trivia: How did the Avon Free Public Library get its start in the late 19th century?

Find out in next month’s issue!

Mark your calendar for these can't-miss happenings around the Valley this June.

School’s out, and you know what that means—it’s summer reading season! Local libraries are rolling out their reading programs, and they’re not just for kids. Grown-ups, this is your official permission slip to finally crack open that book you’ve been side-eyeing for months or to snag the one everyone won’t stop raving about. With fun incentives along the way (yes, sometimes even free books!), these programs make reading feel like a treat instead of a to-do.

And don’t stop at the library—bookstores like Barnes & Noble are getting in on the action too, with their own summer reading perks.

Check with your local library branch or store for details on how to join the fun.

Discover what’s happening at your local library. Registration may be required—check with each library for full details and other events.