Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship
HARDWICK – At last month’s Harvest Festival, Hayley Williams stood under a sign saying “Welcome” in huge black letters, inside a bright colorful booth along the perimeter of Hardwick’s Atkins Field.
The Sept. 25 festival was one of many sponsored by Hardwick Farmers Market, which Williams manages as local food coordinator at the Center for an Agricultural Economy.
Williams said these events are about more than just buying produce.
“Everyone’s invited,” Williams said. “There’s always music. You don’t even have to come and shop, just come and be part of the community.”
Vermont has one of the most robust farmers market scenes in the nation, Williams said. Still, all over the state, rural farmers markets are struggling.
She said during the Covid-19 pandemic, people became more aware of their local food systems, but since then, that interest has declined.
Williams is trying a variety of things to attract more people, more regularly.
“We’re trying to make sure that folks are making a living wage, and that means we have to have people showing up to these markets, not just because we’re doing something new and shiny, but to think about the farmers’ market as a way to get their groceries,” Williams said.
For example, the farmers market gives incentives to people with Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
“Anyone who receives EBT benefits can run their card for $20 and get $50 in market currency,” Williams said.
A Veggie Vouchers program gives children $5 produce vouchers for participating in activities at the market.
“Groceries are expensive, and it’s a really nice way to stretch your budget while also feeling good about the food you’re purchasing,” Williams said.
But it’s not just about financial incentives. It’s about growing the community and having a good time, she said.
At the Harvest Festival, soft guitar sounds from Will and J.D. Miller of East Hardwick entwined with smells of veggie samosa from Nepali Cuisine.
People smiled and nodded their heads along to the music as they ate their food.
Carol Fairbank from Broadfork Farmstead is one the vendors. She stood behind a myriad of produce, jellies and jams. Fairbank said the carrot jam is not her jam because it’s too sweet, but other customers seem to love it.
She smiled as she talked about what the farmers market means to her and the community.
“I think it’s also a place where folks can come and listen to music. They can eat dinner, they can see their friends, because so-and-so is going to be here on Friday,” she said.
This sense of community also led Maya Bakowski, a University of Vermont student, to the festival.
Bakowski found the market through a rural partnership program at UVM in 2025 and now is an intern with the CAE.
“It feels like it’s just kind of down to your roots. Like, this is how people are supposed to connect,” Bakowski said.
As the market assistant to Williams, Bakowski sees firsthand how the market creates a sense of community.
“It’s really satisfying to me to help people and bring people together and just be a part of something that is really wholesome,” Bakowski said.
Williams added, “Every Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., we’re building community. The more the merrier.”
