By Andra Moss

The crowd was large, loud and loving it at July’s Northwest Farm to Fork farmers market, held under the pavilion at Norbrook Farm Brewery. “We were very pleased with the turnout, with approximately 230 customers coming through and 16 food and farm vendors,” says Lisa Auclair, a co-founder, with Devin Grosso and April Carter, of the reboot of Norfolk’s farmers market. “Folks are very happy to have a local market in the area again and love the venue,” agrees Grosso.

Norbrook owner John Auclair concurs. “It does a lot of good for a lot of people, whether they’re the vendors, farmers or the customers,” he says. “It sits well in the community. It sits well at Norbrook. I just love it and I’m happy we can be supporters.”

Carter, who stays in close contact with the vendors, says that one of the market’s goals is to provide a generous mix of all things fresh and local. She reports that “The feedback we are getting across the board from our wonderful vendors has been pure excitement. They

Northwest Farm to Fork, held every third Wednesday of the month through October, from 5 to 8 p.m., now also features live music. On Aug. 19, Kathryn Winston, a semifinal performer on American Idol season 14, will perform. Norbrook’s new pavilion also offers seating, beverages on tap and food truck options, so visitors can make a full night of it.

If the sizable group of Norfolk residents gathered at the July 15 market is any indication, the new market is already providing a bonanza of fresh finds and community spirit