Berlin To Offer Produce Outside Visitors Center On Sundays

BERLIN – Just weeks after declaring a commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles, Berlin is expected to begin providing residents and visitors with the chance to purchase fresh produce as they tour the town.

Starting July 12, Berlin Organics will have fresh produce for sale outside the town’s visitor center. The new addition comes shortly after Berlin’s designation as a HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living) community.

“It’s not a farmers market,” said Ivy Wells, Berlin’s economic development director. “It’s just a produce stand.”

Wells, whose office is in the visitor center, said tourists often asked her where they could buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Because Go Organic Grocer is in the process of transitioning to a co-op and the farmers market is only open on Wednesdays and Fridays, Wells decided to contact Berlin Organics on Route 611 to find out if the small business would be interested in setting up at the visitor center once a week.

“To fill the gap,” Wells said.

She asked Berlin Organics to come on Sundays because, though the visitor center is closed, many people walk through the town.

“There are a lot of people out,” she said, “and Sunday’s a big cookout day. It’s nice to be able to get stuff within walking distance.”

In addition to the convenience of having fresh produce available downtown, the initiative is appropriate because of Berlin’s designation as a HEAL community, Wells said. Last month, the town passed a resolution outlining its commitment to promoting a healthy way of living. It lays out the town’s commitment to designing walkable, bikeable areas, promoting healthy food retail and encouraging municipal workplace wellness.

“This fits right into our HEAL campaign,” Wells said.

Paul Carlotta, owner of Berlin Organics, was quick to agree when Wells asked him if he wanted to sell produce outside the visitor center. He said his business was a member of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and already had a lot of customers from the town.

“We have a great following in Berlin,” he said. “I thought it was a neat concept. It’s great exposure for us.”

Carlotta said he would primarily be selling the heirloom tomatoes Berlin Organics is known for but that he would also bring whatever other vegetables were in season.