Coventry Farmers’ Market committee finalizes 2026 season plans, seeks Winter Market manager

At a special meeting April 23, 2026, the Coventry Farmers’ Market Operating Committee approved the April 9 minutes and settled logistical plans for the upcoming 2026 season, including traffic control, vendor recruitment, sponsorships and supplies.

Chair Janine Coughlin opened the meeting and the committee recorded a full roll call of board members and town staff. Barbara Barry moved to approve the April 9, 2026 minutes; Donna Titus seconded and the motion carried (vote tally not specified).

Heather Neal, Co-Market Manager, reported several operational decisions: Coventry Fire Police, aided by neighboring towns' fire police members, will direct traffic for market days; the Town re-grated dirt roads to the Nathan Hale Homestead following a joint site walk-through with CT Landmarks staff to identify hazards; and the committee will offer Spectrum WiFi to customers while reserving Frontier service for vendors. Neal also noted that the silver golf cart required a new carburetor and replacement hoses after routine servicing.

Melissa Tremblay said she emailed 40 Coventry businesses seeking support for the FMNP/SNAP doubling program but had received no responses at the time of the meeting. The committee accepted a $25 gift card donated by Big Y and decided to give it to the local food pantry. Members also discussed a Department of Agriculture report that cold temperatures had damaged fruit crops in parts of the state, though Coventry vendors had not reported problems.

On vendor and sponsor outreach, market managers developed a sponsorship package for Bartlett Tree Services that will include marketing materials in Farm of Market (FOM) bags, social-media and website promotion, and on-site materials during the season. Donna Titus reported HRP Associates will sponsor the market and have a booth at the Going Green market; Sheffield Pharmaceuticals is sponsoring a market and plans to sell toothpaste on-site, and Melissa Tremblay will request a certificate of insurance from that sponsor. Heather Neal reported outreach to Sweet Grass Creamery (which declined due to staffing) and to East Meadow Farm and Orchard and Ocean 180 seafood, both of which had not responded.

The committee confirmed that permits for a planned tastings festival have been received; Glenn from the Eastern Highland Health District has the vendor list and the committee will follow up as opening day approaches to ensure required permits are filed.

Anne Marie Charland said she would forward CT Landmarks event descriptions for newsletter promotion. The Freedom 250 group requested placement of its truck in Coventry, but the committee noted the truck’s pavement requirement would complicate locating it at the Homestead. The Winter Farmers Market is seeking an unpaid manager; Stuart will notify vendors and, if no manager is found, remaining Winter Market funds will be donated to the Coventry Farmers’ Market. Heather Neal and Melissa Tremblay offered to consult with any new manager.

The committee approved ordering signage (reserved-for-Homestead staff, no parking, handicapped parking up front, do-not-enter and A-frame signs) and acquiring supplies including corn sleeves, weighted tent bags, orange spray paint, additional cones with silver stripes, and gloves in multiple sizes. Anne Marie Charland said the dumpster near the Homestead parking lot will be moved and the port-a-potty will be locked with a 'For Construction Only' sign to keep it out of the public flow.

Jana Roberson reported she is working on the fire road permit, and the committee noted new stall markers have been ordered. The committee scheduled its next meeting for May 21 at 4 p.m. at the Town Hall Annex. Chair Janine Coughlin adjourned the meeting at 6:03 p.m.