Double L Means ‘Llocal’ Produce

Lloyd Allen and local Westport cucumbers.

During 12 years running the Double L Farm Stand on King’s Highway, Lloyd Allen’s “local” produce came from places like New Jersey.

Now — in his 2nd year on the Post Road, at the  Southport line — “local” means right down the street.  There are beets from Bayberry Lane, tomatoes from Old Redding Road, potatoes from Easton.  It’s a true farmer’s market, and the farmers are our neighbors — maybe even you.

“Jimmy Belta pops the hood on his car, and unloads beets, garlic and basil,” Lloyd says of the native Westporter.

“He’s not the only one,” Lloyd notes.  “It’s everybody.  People deliver onions, eggplants, you name it.  They bringing it in Balducci’s and Saks bags.  They’re growing organic, and they’re excited.”

One of Lloyd’s suppliers used to work in New York.  Now he raises fingerling potatoes — hundred of pounds of them.

Another Westporter brings cucumbers.  A 72-year-old woman in Easton grows russet potatoes.

Lloyd calls the new emphasis on local farming “phenomenal.”  He attributes it to education; greater concern about what we eat; the economy and food prices, and a desire to eat better than we’ve been doing.

As if on cue, Mike Robertshaw drives up.  The 2006 Staples graduate’s car is filled with eggplant.

“He’s 1 of my farmers,” Lloyd says proudly.  And off he goes, to help unload another serving of very local produce.

Mike Robertshaw, Lloyd Allen and a car full of eggplant.