Indoor Winter Farmers Market Returns To Port

Local Irish band, Green Sails: (l-r) Amy Wilborn, Sandy Weisto, and Bonnee Beth

Pat and Amy Wilborn have a passion for local food -- so much so that they started their very own aquaponics business, PortFish, Ltd., out of their home back in 2009, growing greens in a closed loop system in which fish waste fertilizes the plants, which then clean the water for the fish.  While the demand for local food was growing, the availability of it was limited to the Farmers Market season, from June through October.  In 2010, Pat and Amy helped to extend the season by starting an indoor Winter Farmers Market.

Now in its 6th year, the Winter Farmers Market will return to the First Congregational Church on Webster Street in Port Washington each Saturday in November and December from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (except 11/26 and 12/24), with live music and a wide variety of locally grown food and locally produced goods.

Visitors can purchase meat and eggs from Burkel Family Farms in Fredonia, honey from Bethel's Seven Hills Honey or chicken, pork, lamb, turkey or eggs raised right in Port Washington from Lone Rooster Farm.  There's delicious food and bakery from Chalkboard Kitchen in Mequon, produce from Wellspring in Newburg, and so much more!

Live music has been a part of the market from the beginning, and Amy Wilborn is often one of the people providing it.  Her traditional Irish Band, Green Sails, will help kick off the first Farmers Market on Saturday, November 5th.  Amy plays the fiddle and sings, along with band mates Bonnee Beth on percussion, tin whistle, story-telling & dancing, and Sandy Weisto on guitar & vocals. 

The Winter Farmers Market is an excellent place to connect with the community, as well as to meet your local food producers.  First Congregational Church is located at 131 N. Webster St. in Port Washington.  For more information, visit the Winter Farmers Market Facebook Page, email portwinter@portfish.org, or call (414) 202-7840.

---