Local Farmers’ Markets provide opportunities for consumers to purchase fresh, quality produce while supporting independent growers in the area. ~Photo by By Gabriela C. Martinez

By Gabriela C. Martinez

“When did you pick these tomatoes?” a woman asked one of the vendors of Blue Heron Organic Farm, while holding a yellow heirloom tomato in front of her face. The farmer took one of the tomatoes in her hands and looked at it thoughtfully. “Yesterday,” she said. “Try these, they’re like candy.” She took a couple of bright orange cherry tomatoes from a nearby basket and handed them to the woman. At the Davis Square Farmers’ Market people are encouraged to have these types of interactions.

“This is a nice way to get fresh, local food in the neighborhood. People have the farmers right there, so they can ask questions. The farmers are usually nice; some of them are more talkative than others, but they’re always happy to answer questions. A lot of people today want to know what is in their food and where it comes from. Also, this is a different experience – outdoors, under tents. It’s a nice environment,” says Peter Ward, Manager of Central and Davis Square Market.

As a manager, Ward is in charge of making sure that farmers negotiate the logistics of setting up their tents, abide by the rules established by Federation of Massachusetts Farmers’ Market (FMFM) and overseeing the operation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). He also manages the Farmers’ Market in Central Square, Cambridge, which operates on Mondays 12:00–6:00 p.m. in the parking lot next to H-Mart, at the intersection between Norfolk and St. Bishop Street.

Local, fresh produce is available throughout the week in Somerville at a variety of farmers’ markets located in Davis Square, Union Square, and Mystic Avenue. The markets provide a space for farmers from different towns in Massachusetts to sell their crops in an urban setting, as well as an opportunity for consumers to buy local food, such as freshly-picked vegetables and greens, bread, poultry, seafood, dairy products, handmade spices, and spirits at affordable prices. Most of these markets have been open since early summer and will be operating until the end of November. Davis Square Farmers’ Market, organized by the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers Markets (FMFM), runs on Wednesdays 12:00–6:00 p.m. at Day and Herbert Streets at the Flatbread Pizza parking lot.

Visitors to Davis Square Farmers’ Market have the opportunity to savor freshly picked, organic fruits and vegetables from vendors such as Blue Heron Organic Farm and enjoy wine tastings with Westport Rivers Wineries. There are also desserts and baked goods from local bakeries and ice creams shops. Union Square Donuts, famous for adding ingredients such as bacon and chipotle to their creations, is a hit at Davis Square Market, and typically sells all of their donuts before closing time. Tipping Cow Ice Cream, which was featured in the Boston Globe as an ice cream “packed with flavor,” specializes in making unique flavors such as Strawberry Basil, Earl Grey, and Olive. Their approach to making ice cream is deeply rooted in art; they believe, like many of the of the independent vendors who come to Davis Square Farmers’ Market, that food is creative outlet.

Enterprise Farm, established in 1984, is a 95-acre farm in Deerfield, MA dedicated to providing high-quality, organic produce at affordable prices. Aside from selling produce at various farmers markets and Whole Foods, Enterprise Farms strives to promote food access by selling its produce in low-income neighborhoods, providing food through a variety of programs such as Mobile Markets and by donating seedlings to local food pantries. Like the many of the farmers at Davis and Union Square, Enterprise Farm accepts WIC coupons and EBT/SNAP payments. Enterprise relies on the commitment of its regular customers, as it allows them to make healthy food accessible to everyone. The Mobile Market, which is part of a collaboration managed by the Shape Up Somerville program, works Saturdays 1:00–4:00 p.m. at the Mystic Housing Development. On Thursdays, the market visits the Council on Aging on Holland Street 1:00–3:00 p.m. and then heads off to the North Street Housing 4:00–7:00 p.m.

Union Square Market, one of the biggest markets in Somerville, is located on Union Square Plaza, where Prospect Street, Washington Street and Somerville Avenue meet and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The market hosts seasonal and guest vendors, as well as musical events. Some of the vendors working at this market are Misty Brook Farm from Albion, ME and the Nicewicz Family, who grow a wide variety of fruits in Bolton, MA.

“Farmers benefit from participating in the Union Square market because it provides them a place to sell their products. The Union Square Farmers’ Market has two primary goals – economic development of the brick-and-mortar businesses in Union Square by increasing shopping oriented foot traffic in the square, and economic development for the vendors by providing them with a venue to sell their products,” explains Mimi Graney, the Executive Director of Union Square Main Streets. According to attendance records in a report published by Union Square Main Streets report, the Union Square Farmers’ Market has had more than 2 million dollar impact through the market.

Graney also highlights the importance of markets as civic space – they connect people and provide a venue for meaningful social interactions.

“People are far more likely to talk with strangers at farmers markets than they are at a neighborhood grocery store.”