Massachusetts Winter Farmers Markets Continue to Expand
State's Department of Agricultural Resources reports a 400 percent increase since 2009
BOSTON – Friday, November 18, 2011 – Massachusetts consumers seeking locally-grown farm products for next week’s Thanksgiving dinner or during the winter months in general will find it more convenient this season with 30 farmers’ markets in locations all across the Commonwealth.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) reported today that there has been a 400 percent increase in the number of winter farmers' markets since 2009.
“We have seen a surge in the number of winter farmers’ markets over the last couple of years,” said DAR Commissioner Scott J. Soares. “There has been an 88 percent bump in the number of winter farmers’ markets from 2010 alone. Shoppers may be surprised at the wide array of local foods available over the colder months.”
Fresh foods likely to be found at winter farmers’ markets include storage crops such as winter squash, turnips, potatoes, carrots, apples and onions, as well as salad and cooking greens grown in greenhouses. Farmstead cheese, eggs, meat, honey, maple products, fish, apple cider, wine and a wide array of locally made specialty foods such as baked goods, jams and sauces are also likely to be available.
Many winter farmers’ markets are located indoors for the comfort of both shoppers and vendors. Some are running weekly, while others are open bi-weekly or monthly, and most run through early spring.
The following is a list of winter farmers’ markets in Massachusetts; for updates go to DAR’s Massgrown and Fresher webpage.
Barnstable County
Falmouth/Green Harvest
Sundays, Noon - 3:00 p.m., Nov. 6 to 20 and Dec. 4 to 18
Barnstable County Fairgrounds, Adult Exhibit Building (Rt. 151)
Falmouth/Mahoney’s
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Nov. 19 to Mar. 17
Mahoney’s Garden Center, 958 East Falmouth Highway (Rt. 28)
Sandwich
Every other Saturday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Nov. 6 to Mar. 18
Scenic Roots, 349 Route 6A, East Sandwich
Bristol County
Fairhaven
Sundays, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Oct. 23, Nov. 20, Dec. 18
Nemasket Building, Bridge and Green Street
North Attleboro
Sundays, Noon – 4:00 pm, year round
Attleboro Farms, 491 Hickory Road, Route 120
Dukes County
West Tisbury
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Oct. 22 – Dec. 17
Grange Hall, State Road
Essex County
Newburyport
Sundays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Dec. 4, 18, Jan. 8, 22, Feb. 5, 19, Mar. 4, 18, Apr. 8, 22
The Tannery Marketplace, 50 Water Street
Salem
Thursdays, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Nov. 10 to Dec. 22
Inside at Salem Marketplace (Artist’s Row)
Franklin County
Greenfield
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, Mar. 3
Second Congregational Church, Court Square
Hampden County
Springfield
2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm, November to April
Forest Park at the Old Monkey House (Use Trafton Road Gate)
Hampshire County
Amherst
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Dec. 3 to Mar. 31, (no market 12/24 and 1/14)
Amherst Middle School, 170 Chestnut Street
North Amherst
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Nov. 6 to end of April
Inside the barn at Swartz Family Farm, 11 Meadow Street
Northampton
Saturdays, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Nov. 19 to Apr. 28
Thorne’s Marketplace Basement, 150 Main Street
Middlesex County
Cambridge
Saturdays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Jan. 7 to Apr. 28
Cambridge Community Center, 5 Callender Street
Carlisle
Saturdays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Nov. 26, Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, Mar. 10, Apr. 21
Universalist Unitarian Church, 27 School Street
Chelmsford
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Nov. 5 to Feb. 4, (No market Nov. 26, Dec. 24, 31)
Chelmsford Agway, 24 Maple Road
Natick
Saturdays, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Jan. 7 to Mar. 31
Metrowest Medical Center Auditorium, 67 Union Street
Somerville
Saturdays, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, Nov. 12 to May 26
Center for the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue
Wayland
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Jan. 7 to Mar. 10
Russell’s Garden Center, 397 Boston Post Road, Route 20
Westford
Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Nov. 5 to Mar. 31
Eric’s Garden Center, 68 Boston Road
Winchester
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Nov. 19 to Mar. 17
Mahoney’s Garden Center, 242 Cambridge Street
Norfolk County
Milton
Every other Sunday, 10:30 am – 3:30 pm, Jan. 29 to Apr. 22
Thayer Nursery, 270 Hillside Street
Walpole
Sundays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Nov. 6, 20; Dec. 4, 18; Jan. 8, 22; Feb. 12, 26; Mar. 11, 25; Apr. 15, 29
VFW Hall, 108 Robbins Road
Plymouth County
Marshfield
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, Mar. 31, Apr. 28, May 26
Marshfield Fairgrounds in the 4H Barn
Plymouth
Thursdays, 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, Mar. 8, Apr. 12
Plymouth Plantation, 137 Warren Avenue
Scituate
Sundays, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, Dec. 18 and Jan. 7 to Mar. 25
Kennedy’s Country Gardens, 85 Chief Justice Cushing Highway
Suffolk County
Boston/Prudential Center
Thursdays, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, November to April
Inside the Prudential Center Mall, Belvedere Arcade near the post office
Boston/South End
Sundays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Nov. 13 to Apr. 29
Indoors at 460 Harrison Avenue
Boston/Dewey Square
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, Nov. 29 to Dec. 22
Dewey Square across from South Station
Dorchester
Sundays, Noon – 3:00 pm, Jan. 8 to Mar. 25
Great Hall at the Codman Square Health Center, 6 Norfolk Street
DAR’s mission is to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its four divisions – Agricultural Conservation & Technical Assistance, Agricultural Markets, Animal Health, and Crop and Pest Services – DAR strives to support, regulate and enhance the rich diversity of the Commonwealth’s agricultural community to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture’s role in energy conservation and production. For more information, visit DAR’s website at www.mass.gov/agr, and/or follow at http://twitter.com/MDARCommish
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