People ask me weird questions when I tell them that I live in Hartford. Particularly strange is the idea that I somehow have no access to food. Without even getting on a bus or calling up Lyft, actually, there are a few options — none of which involve bodegas, though those are on every other block if needed. The quality of produce varies; for bridging the gap on this, the value of farmers’ markets cannot be overstated.

The Farmers’ Market at the Regional Market

If you can manage to drag yourself out of bed this early, the retail sales are 6-9 am on Saturdays and Sundays. This is located at 101 Reserve Road in the South Meadows.

West End Farmers’ Market

Every Tuesday afternoon, June-October, there are at least four farmers and several bread/baked goods vendors. This is on the Clemens Green on Farmington Avenue near the Mark Twain House.

Old State House Farmers’ Market

This is the oldest farmers’ market in Connecticut, established in 1643. This downtown market runs from June-October on Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 am – 2 pm.

Frog Hollow Farmers’ Market

New this year, this market at 75 Laurel Street is open on Monday and Friday afternoons, July-October. A Real Hartford reader shares that the honey being sold here is fantastic.

North End Farmers’ Market

On Wednesdays, 10 am – 1 pm, at 80 Coventry Street in the North East neighborhood.

Farmers’ Market at Billings Forge

Thursdays, 11 am – 2 pm, on Broad Street between Russ and Capitol in Frog Hollow.

Tangiers

Since moving from West Hartford to the West End of Hartford (550 Farmington Avenue), they have begun to stock produce from local sources. Monday-Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm.

The Greenway Market

They have hours every day of the week and are located downtown (71 Asylum Street).

El Mercado

La Plaza del Mercado (704 Park Street) in Frog Hollow has a grocery store and food court, open every day.

C-Town

During snowstorms, they tend to be open and have their freshly baked bread available. There are locations in Parkville (1744 Park Street), South Green (165 Wethersfield Avenue), and Behind the Rocks (394 New Britain Avenue).

Bravo

Much like C-Town. There are locations in Barry Square (685 Maple Avenue) and the Upper Albany neighborhood (1291 Albany Avenue).

Save-A-Lot

There is a store in Frog Hollow (1250 Park Street) and the Clay-Arsenal neighborhood (1888 Main Street).

Stop & Shop

Parkville (150 New Park Avenue) has one.

Where else can you buy fresh produce in Hartford?