One of the things I hate the most about wintertime is that there always seems to be a scarcity of fresh, local produce and products.

Unfortunately for most of us who have outdoor gardens, winter months means dying crops and frozen grounds. Fortunately, amidst this dreary time of year there is hope in the form of winter farmers' markets.

The folks over at Seacoast Eat Local do a great job during the summer and fall months organizing farmers' markets and keeping consumers happy with fresh produce but they also continue the farmers' market tradition through the winter months as well.

There are a variety of farmers' markets during the winter months but two large markets that never disappoints are the winter farmers' markets held at the Wentworth Greenhouses in Rollinsford, NH and at the Exeter High School.

The Rollinsford farmers' market is perfect for people trying to plan holiday dinners with local produce or just trying to buy local.

On Saturday, November 20 the Wentworth Greenhouses will hold a Holiday Farmers' Market from 10am - 2pm. More than 50 farmers and food producers will be offering their own farm-grown goods and selling everything you need for your holiday table, from cheese, wine, and apple cider, to pie pumpkins, apples, and cream for dessert. Potatoes, carrots, winter squash, onions, beets, leeks, broccoli, parsnips, turnips, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and salad greens will be in abundance, ensuring plenty of wholesome vegetables on your holiday table. There will also be eggs, honey, and maple syrup, alongside special finds like sweet potatoes, wheat flour and dried chili peppers.

Farms offer a wide variety of beef, pork, poultry and seafood, perfect for holiday main courses. Area food producers have pledged to a high standard of localism this year and will be offering ready to eat meals, soups and stews, jams and jellies that all contain locally grown ingredients.

Purchasing locally grown food directly from area growers helps ensure our farms stay in business - keeping open space and good food growing in the seacoast.

You can find a full list of participating vendors and the products they will be selling at seacoasteatlocal.org

Here's a list of other local farmers' markets that will be open during the winter months:

Concord Winter Farmers' Market
Saturdays, 10am-2pm, Cole Gardens
430 Loudon Road, Concord, NH
January 8, January 22, February 12, February 26, March 12, March 26
www.colegardens.com
www.concordwinterfarmersmarket.com

Derry Winter Farmers' Market
Sundays, 12pm-4pm, Veterans Hall Gymnasium,
31 West Broadway, Derry, NH
November 7, November 21, December 5, December 19, January 2, January 16,
February 6, February 20, March 6, March 20
www.derry-nh.org

Gateway Winter Farmers' Market - York
Saturdays, 10am-2pm, Fosters Downeast Clambake,
1 Axholme Road, York, ME
November 20, November 27, December 11, December 18, January 15, January 29, February 5, February 19, March 5, March 19
www.gatewayfarmersmarket.com

Newburyport Farmers' Market
Sundays, 9am-1pm, Tannery Marketplace,
75 Water Street, Newburyport, MA
Sundays through December 19
www.thenewburyportfarmersmarket.org

Newmarket Farmers' Market
Saturdays, 9am-1pm, Stone Church,
5 Granite Street, Newmarket, NH
November 20, December 18, January 15, February 19, March 19, April 16
www.newmarkethappenings.blogspot.com

Northwood Indoor Farmers' Market
Saturdays, 9:30am - 12, Masonic Hall,
Route 4, Northwood, NH
weekly October 16 - November 20
www.northwoodfarmersmarket.blogspot.com

Raymond Winter Farmers' Market
Saturdays, 10am-2pm, Lamprey River School,
33 Old Manchester Road, Raymond, NH
December 11, January 22, February 5, March 5
www.raymondnh.gov

Rye Farmers' Market
Saturdays, 10am-2pm, Rye Junior High,
501 Washington Road, Rye, NH
November 20, January 15, February 19, March 19
www.ryeturninggreen.com

Salem Farmers' Market
Saturdays, 8:30am-12:30pm United Methodist Church
Pleasant Street, Salem, NH
November 6, November 20, December 4, December 18, January 1, January 15,
February 5, February 19, March 5, March 19
www.salemnhfarmersmarket.com

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