In 2023, beloved Ridgefielder Corrin Arasa founded the Ridgefield Farmers Market as a gathering place for our vibrant town. Its mission is to “be the catalyst that cultivates relationships between local growers and makers within our community.” Anyone who has spent a sunny Saturday lounging on the beautiful grounds of Jesse Lee Church—connecting with local creators and farmers or watching their kids dance to live music—knows it has quickly become a staple of the warmer months.
This season, the Ridgefield Farmers Market welcomes two new co-executive directors: Ridgefield residents and moms Carrie King and Kelly Cassaro. With impressive professional backgrounds and a deep appreciation for a town they describe as “genuine” and “low-key,” they share a commitment to preserving this special Saturday tradition. Get to know these dynamic women, who also happen to be friends of Ridgefield Moms IRL (highly recommended).
Check out their “Meet a Mom” feature, and mark your calendars for June 20, when the Ridgefield Farmers Market opens for its 2026 season!
How old are your kids, and how long have you lived in Ridgefield?
Carrie: Tommy is 12, Mae is 10 and Iggy is 6. We have been in town almost 12 years.
Kelly: James is 13 and Grace is 11. We will have been here four years in June.
You recently grabbed the Ridgefield Farmer’s Market baton from Corrin Arasa, what made you take this leap?
Carrie and Kelly: We connected through our shared love of food. Carrie is a professional chef with years of experience in the industry and with a focus on sustainable agriculture and food systems. Kelly has been cooking her entire life and makes it a priority to visit farmers markets in every town and country she travels to. More than anything, it has been a meaningful way for both of us to connect with local communities and support growers and makers.
What are a few things you want people to know about the Ridgefield Farmer’s Market?
We are a volunteer-run, producer-led market, which keeps us closely connected to both our community and our farmers. It allows us to stay focused on what matters most: supporting local producers and educating the community about farms, food, and where it comes from.
When do you all open? Who will be there? If someone wants to vend, how can they apply?
Location: Jesse Lee Greens, 207 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT
Time: Every Saturday 10:00-1:00
2026 Dates: June 20- October 3
We will even be there on the 4th of July, so please come!
We have a variety of returning and new vendors from The Hickories, Sunset Farm, Fatto a Mano, Henny Penny, Wild Iris, High Ridge Hydro and many more. You have to come to find out! We are actually actively searching for cheese, olives/pickles, and a fish or shellfish vendor.
Visit us at https://www.ridgefieldfarmersmarket.org
What is one food you could not live without?
Carrie: Eggplant parm. And olives.
Kelly: Really, really good bread.
What is your greatest indulgence?
Carrie: Pizza, hands down.
Kelly: I like all the indulgent food that’s savory/salty/briny like olives, caviar, stinky fish, mozzarella sticks (!), and more. I am not a sweet eater– french fries for dessert!
Of all the places you could choose to live, why Ridgefield?
Carrie: I’m a city girl and my husband grew up on a farm. We loved that Ridgefield gave us the best of both worlds – a little bit of quiet (but not too much 🙂
Kelly: We admired this area for a long time and just decided to take up roots here. We appreciate the nature and proximity to the city and the mountains and the water. We also fell in love with the quaint town.
What talent would you most want to have?
Carrie: To be fluent in a second language
Kelly: Remembering people’s names the first time.
If you didn’t live in Ridgefield, where would you live?
Carrie: Somewhere coastal where I could see and hear the ocean every day
Kelly: On the Italian countryside
How do you blow off steam?
Carrie: Gardening, drinks with pals, also KickFit!
Kelly: Rage cooking or cleaning to clear my head and of course KickFit in Ridgefield
Favorite restaurant in Ridgefield?
Carrie: O’Deen’s
Kelly: Certainly Luc’s
Best hidden spot in town:
Carrie: If I tell you, it will no longer be hidden… (touche Carrie!)
Kelly: A centuries-old well hidden in my backyard. Feels like a piece of another time with stories to tell
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Kelly: I don’t watch TV really at all
Carrie: I’m an analog girl stuck in a digital age
3 Adjectives to describe Ridgefield
Kelly: Welcoming, connected, genuine
Carrie: Picturesque, historic, low-key
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
Introvert or extrovert? Kelly: Sorry! I have to split the difference- definitely ambivert // Carrie: Probably somewhere in the middle!
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? Kelly: Popcorn for sure. Salty all the way. // Carrie: Popcorn
Cook or order in? Kelly: Cook // Carrie: Depends on my energy levels!!
Coffee or tea? Kelly: Black tea everyday! // Carrie: coffee!
Be embarrassed or be afraid? Kelly: Afraid! That’s where the growth happens. // Carrie: Afraid
Camping or glamping? Kelly: Glamping for sure. // Carrie: I’m with Kelly on this one
Broadway Show or TV show? Kelly: Broadway // Carrie: TV show
Text or call? Kelly: Call // Carrie: Call (I am a very delinquent texter)
Sauna? Or cold plunge? Kelly: Cold plunge for the shock of it all. // Carrie: Sauna
Beach or Mountain? Kelly: Beach for calming water but can’t stay there all day // Carrie: Beach
Comedy or Drama? Kelly: Drama for sure- even my closest friends aren’t sure which comedians and shows will make me laugh // Carrie: Comedy
