Tending Community: From the Other Side of the Table
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on September 11, 2026 from Tending Community
Written by Devon McDaniel
For years, I experienced the Bridgeport Farmers Market from the other side of the table, as a shopper. It has always been one of my favorite markets because of the incredible variety of vendors and the strong sense of community that surrounds it. This year, for the first time, I have also had the opportunity to experience the market as a vendor with my business, Bluebird Bakery, and that has given me an even greater appreciation for the work Perris has done as market manager.
One of the things I have admired most about Perris is the way she has been able to build on what already made the Bridgeport Farmers Market special while also finding new ways to help it grow. She has been very intentional about supporting the longtime vendors who helped shape the market over the years, while also creating opportunities for new businesses to become involved.
That balance has made a real difference. This year, Perris restructured parts of the vendor schedule, including incorporating alternating-week vendors, which allowed additional small businesses to participate without taking away from the established vendors already there.
For Bluebird Bakery, that opportunity has been incredibly meaningful. Bridgeport was an entirely new market area for my business, and attending every other Sunday has introduced us to a whole new group of customers. The Bridgeport community has been incredibly welcoming, and the market has quickly become one of our strongest and most enjoyable locations.
Perris has also brought fresh ideas to the market while maintaining the Sunday tradition people already know and love. The addition of pop-up Night Markets is a perfect example. At the first Night Market I attended, the turnout was so strong that I sold through the bread I had brought in about an hour. I actually had to drive home and bring back bread I had planned to sell at another market the next morning. That kind of turnout speaks not only to the support of the Bridgeport community, but also to the work Perris has put into promoting the market and creating events people are excited to attend.
Her communication with vendors has also been excellent. She is approachable, organized, easy to work with, and responsive when questions or issues come up. As a vendor, that makes a tremendous difference.
Even on my off weeks, I still come to the Bridgeport Farmers Market to shop. Between the farmers, produce, meats, food trucks, coffee, drinks, baked goods, candles, bath and body products, handmade goods, and live music, there is always something worth coming for.
As both a longtime shopper and a first-year vendor, it has been exciting to watch Perris lead the market this season. She has brought new energy, new opportunities, and new ideas while still respecting the foundation that longtime vendors and shoppers have built over the years. Her leadership has helped make an already great market even stronger, and I am grateful that Bluebird Bakery has had the opportunity to be part of that growth.
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