Page 17 - North Haven Magazine Issue 8 Spring 2019

Fruit and Vegetables Organic Market is just up the road and open from 10:30 – 5:30 on Wednesday through
Friday, or Sunday depending on the season and crops. Because Frank wants people to experience the delicious
taste of organic produce, and he does not have the overhead and “middle man” involved, he is able to keep his
prices very affordable and competitive.
When asked how many employees work the farm and market with Frank, he replies, “Three – me, myself, and
I.” He would love to have some summer help, even for 4 hours in the mornings, but it is hard to find people who
want to garden or work at the market.
The Frankie’s Fruit and Vegetables Organic Farm Market opened in 1964 as a very small produce stand under
the shade of a small tree. The farm market grew larger and larger as Frank increased his crops and the varieties
available. The tree also grew larger and larger. Rather than cut down the tree that provided the shade during his
early years with the market, Frank just built the additions to the market around the tree. Now, when you visit the
market, you will notice the tree in the middle of the building, still standing tall and providing shade for Frank
and his produce. How many towns have such a special farm market as this!
You will be surprised at some of the produce available at Frank’s organic farm market. Many of us enjoy fresh squash during the summer
months, but have you tried squash flowers? Frank grows a specific squash plant that produces only the male flowers that are often used
for stuffing. Some also enjoy frying squash flowers.

Shallots are often difficult to find in stores, but you will find them at Frank’s. He has a wide
variety of onions including the Cipollini onion. This onion is very sweet and excellent for
use on shish kabobs. It is a relatively flat onion, and he orders them from Washington for his
garden.
If you enjoy heirloom tomatoes, visit Frank’s market this summer and you will find about 40
varieties of heirloom tomatoes and 15 kinds of cherry tomatoes. He also grows the Honey
and Cream sweet corn, snap peas, and sweet peas, cucumbers, a wide variety of beans, and
all types of peppers.

Fruits are also available and include strawberries, dewberries, blueberries, raspberries, and
blackberries. Tree fruits include peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries, and apples.
Bees are critical to gardening success, so naturally Frank has honey bees to work in his fields
pollinating his plants. He also raises chickens, so you can purchase your organic eggs and
honey while shopping for your fruits and vegetables.
Frank’s work is truly a labor of love. He was recently asked if he would be able to contribute
produce for an event planned for August this year. North Haven will have its first “Farm to
Table Dinner” and Frank’s produce will be featured. Participants will have the opportunity to
enjoy a special chef-prepared meal featuring organic produce from the farm. The dinner will
be served using the fields and barn at the site of the old Arrowdale Farm. More details will be
available in the near future. But don’t wait until August. The season starts now, with spring
crops such as lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, strawberries, and more.

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