CLCC Farmstand
by Nicole Zappone @TheChronicleCT
Along Boston Turnpike in Coventry is a farmstand that is run by individuals with neurodiverse abilities. The Creative Living Community of Connecticut is an organization that provides vocational training, arts and social programming and inclusive housing opportunities for neurodiverse adults throughout eastern Connecticut. One of the initiatives that is offered is the farmstand, which is open six days a week on the property at 2645 Boston Turnpike.
At the farmstand, CLCC partners with a variety of local farms, artisans and small businesses.
For purchase, there is everything from farm-fresh produce and microgreens to baked goods, cheeses, honey, crafts and more.
Not only does the CLCC own and operate the food stand, but it also labels many of its own products, including microgreens, seasonal vegetables, flowers, crafts and garden products, fresh farm eggs, T-shirts, jams, jellies, dressings, pickles and salsa.
Michelle Joyce, executive director of CLCC, was running the farmstand last week during the heatwave. “The farmstand is one of our vocational opportunities here,” Joyce said. “Normally, we have a member of the community who works in addition to someone on the management team.” On one of the days last week, she was managing the farmstand alone after sending everyone home because of the extreme heat. “Normally, you would see someone stocking the shelves; they could be waiting on the customers,” Joyce said.
CLCC participates in the CSA program and was stocking up on that last week. “We participate in the CSA program, which is bringing together local produce from farms across the area,” Joyce said. “People buy what we call a share, so it’s a community share of an agriculture exchange, and they get a bag every week of locally grown produce.” Last week, CSA shareholders received yellow and green squash, a head of either green leaf or romaine lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, garlic and radishes. “Everything you would need to make a really nice salad for your family,” Joyce said. “This week, most of those goods are coming from Anderson Farms in Wethersfield. They are our one-stop shop this week as they have everything we need.” This weekend, the farmstand got corn on the cob from Anderson Farms in time for the holiday.
The CSA share box is a 12-week program from the end of June to mid-September and is filled with crisp greens and hearty vegetables. Pickup is on Thursdays at the farmstand.
Other businesses that are featured in the farmstand include Luann’s Bakery & Café, Connecticut Fudgeworks, Beckett Farms, LLC, Stonewall Apiary, Kevman’s Chipotle Sauce, Cato Corner Farm, Whole Harmony Tea, Twin Pines Farm, Pebble Brook Maple Farm, Birdhouse Coffee, Ridge Runner, Munson’s Chocolates, Cards by Curtis and Jeff’s Kettle Corn. “All of our jams and salsas are all natural and gluten-free,” Joyce said. “Mostly everything here is gluten-free.”
On the property, CLCC has a Greenhouse Vocational Program that has been in operation since June 2012. Each week, participants spend about two to three hours in the greenhouse, where they receive training in planting and gardening and build physical, social, and life skills. The produce grown in the greenhouse, including microgreens and other vegetables, is then sold to local restaurants and individuals and through the farmstand.
“In other years, our garden has been operational,” Joyce said. “We have some raised beds here, where we are growing some produce that will be available later in the season.” There are some products, such as squash and peppers. “We had a dill plant, but someone asked to purchase the whole plant,” Joyce said. “They were doing a lot of pickling and wanted all the dill we could sell them.” There are chickens on the farm, with eggs for purchase.
Next season, CLCC will move its fields east of the property. Where they are currently will be the infrastructure for the new neighborhood going on the farm. “We are in the process of starting a capital campaign to work on the infrastructure to have a 17-home cottage community, where people who are neurotypical and neurodiverse would live together in this farm environment,” Joyce said. “They would have access to work in the gardens with us and come up to the farm stand.”
At the end of the fall season, the farmstand will be closed for the rest of the year. It typically opens up each May.
The farmstand is open six days a week, from Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is located at 2645 Boston Turnpike.
For more information, visit creativelivingcommunityofct.org/
