As the crisp air settles in and the trees show off their final burst of color, the Tamworth Farmers’ Market begins to slow down for the season. But slowing down doesn’t mean stopping. For many local farmers and makers, the community spirit never quits.
When the crowds thin out and the tents come down, a smaller, more consolidated version of the market carries on—right in the parking lot. The locals are used to the best produce and will bundle up and brave the elements to get it.
“Once the market season winds down and the cold air fills the valley, we don’t just pack it in,” says Amy Sager of Again & Again Farmstead. “We still have great products to share—and our customers still want them. So, we sell right out of our trunks.”
Shopping at the market this time of year is quick and efficient. Regulars are greeted by name, talk about the weather, and spread the village news. It’s a great time for the local farmers and vendors to pay a little more attention to the regulars, cultivating the crop of core customers who drive the market economy.
You’ll see vendors handing out the last fruits of this year’s labor. One vendor hands out gallons of maple syrup, and another offers jars of delicious honey. The baker offers pastries still warm from the morning’s kitchen. A fiber artist shows off her latest knitted creation. There’s laughter, a few recipe swaps, and the unmistakable hum of community connection.
For locals, this impromptu “trunk market” is more than just a place to shop—it’s a way to stay connected through the quieter months. The farmers and makers appreciate it, too. With smaller crowds and fewer logistics, it’s a chance to slow down and appreciate life in the valley below Mount Chocorua.
The fall market may look different without the tents, music, and big crowds, but its heart remains the same. It’s neighbors helping neighbors. It’s buying local, even when it means pulling on your mittens and meeting in a sanded lot.
So, if you see a small gathering of cars one chilly Saturday morning in Tamworth, don’t just drive by. Pull over and join in. You might leave with a bar of goat milk soap, a jar of raw milk, and a reminder that the farmers market spirit doesn’t end with the season—it simply gets cozier.
