Attleboro Farmer's Market Attracts Hundreds

There were organic turnips and carrots, Italian loaves of bread, homemade honey and firewood for summer fire pits, but most of all there was a sense of community. 

More than 650 people turned out for the first week of the , held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to buy plants, purchase fresh kettle corn, and learn how to make tasty bruschetta. 

For Briana Auclair of Nature's Intention, which sells custom home and body products, it was seeing old Attleboro friends and meeting new ones that helped the Attleboro resident decide to feature her products at Attleboro Farmer's Market all summer long. 

"I like the idea of meeting and seeing people in the community," she said. "Everyone is local."

That was music to organizers Heather and Eddie Porreca's ears, who worked with

Conti and the Porrecas, along with several other volunteers in the community, have been busy researching, soliciting vendors and spreading the word about the market since early February. 

"This is so unbelievable," Porreca said of the number of people who were still perusing the various booths at noon time. 

Bob Peasley, who has been selling his produce for years, sold out of his lettuce and squash in the first few hours of the market. Attleboro resident had one bottle of honey left from the 36 she brought to the market. And long-time Attleboro resident Otis Wilson sold lots of flowers from his "Flowers, Shrubs and Trees" booth. 

"I figured I'd give it a shot and so far it has been great," Wilson said. The Oakhill Avenue resident said he plans to return to sell more of his goods. 

Elisabetta Costantini, co-owner of ran out of the bread and toppings for bruschetta she was selling three times. 

Costantini kept a promise she made when she first opened the downtown eatery, which was to buy fresh products from local vendors whenever possible. She had already purchased zucchini from Alida Cantor of Lang Water Farm in North Easton who was at the market selling locally grown, organic vegetables. 

Next week's Farmer's Market will include live music and future markets throughout the season will feature workshops on canning, veggie carving contests and wine and food seminars.