To be held Saturdays, 11am-3pm; Produce sold to low-income residents at subsidized prices

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Shape Up Somerville announced that the City’s farmers markets will continue to expand in 2011, with the addition of a produce market at the Mystic Housing Development, beginning June 18.  A partnership between Shape Up, Enterprise Farm, Somerville Housing Authority and several community partners, the market will be held every Saturday through October from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Mystic Development on Mystic Avenue.  The market will offer fresh produce to low-income residents at subsidized prices, thanks to a partnership with Dave Jackson of Enterprise Farm.  Currently, the City of Somerville has three farmers markets:  in the Day Street lot in Davis Square, Wednesdays from noon-6pm; in the Union Square Plaza, Saturdays from 9 am-1pm; and the recent addition of the Winter Farmers Market at the Armory on Saturdays during the winter season.

The market’s grand opening on June 18 will also feature an appearance by Miss Black Massachusetts 2011, Claire Elise Johnson, a resident of Somerville.  During her Year of Service, she is dedicating her time to the promotion of her platform “Generation: ACTIVE – Accompanying Children Toward Increased Vitality Via Exercise.”  Claire will be on hand to lead games and activities for children, and will be available to take pictures with children and their families, as well as sign autographs.  Claire is a 2005 graduate of Tufts University and a 2007 graduate of the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work.  

“Our existing farmers markets have been extremely popular and successful.  Over the last several years we have been working to identify opportunities to bring these markets, and access to fresh local produce, to all areas of the City and to residents of all income levels,” Mayor Curtatone said.  “Last year we began accepting EBT/SNAP at our farmers markets and instituted a matching incentive program to make farm fresh produce affordable for low income residents.  We are bringing this newest market to an area where a large number of residents do not have easy access to fresh produce at affordable prices.  This is another step toward our goal of addressing health equity and providing fresh produce to all residents.”

This newest farmers market will sell produce from a bus that has been retrofitted as a produce market by Enterprise Farm, and there are plans to convert the fuel source to run on used corn oil.  Like other Somerville farmers markets, the Mystic Market will accept EBT/SNAP , and the City  will provide dollar for dollar matching for purchases made withfor EBT/SNAP users, up to $10.

“This market represents the first step in our mission to make healthy foods affordable and accessible in our most food-poor area of the City,” said Nicole Rioles of Shape Up Somerville and the Somerville Health Department.  “Our plans for the Mystic Farmers Market include fitting the bus with a PA system to play music which, in addition to its position next to the playground, will hopefully serve as a beacon to kids and families, and serve as a community gathering spot.”

“Enterprise Farm has built strong relationships over the last 20 years by selling produce to families in Somerville, through the farmers’ markets and through our CSA,” said farmer Dave Jackson, of Enterprise Farm.  “Our mission for food-access is, in many ways, a reflection of our gratitude.  With the support of our members and our partners in Somerville, we are very excited to be bringing fresh, local, healthy food to Mystic.”

This latest market comes on the heels of our area’s first winter farmers market, which proved to be an overwhelming success..  Open from January – March 2011, the Winter Farmers Market saw more than 25,000 shoppers over the course of the season.

“The inaugural Winter Farmers Market was a great success.   Shoppers from Somerville and beyond have expressed many times in many ways their gratitude to the City for the opportunity to purchase healthy foods, support local farms and socialize with friends and neighbors during the winter months, “said Shape Up Somerville Director Jaime Corliss.

The Mystic Farmers Market is made possible by a partnership that includes the City, Enterprise Farm, and local SUS affiliated organizations including Tufts University, SomerPromise, Groundwork Somerville, the Welcome Project, and the Somerville Housing Authority.  For more information, contact Shape Up Somerville at 617-625-6600 ext. 2414.

(from the city of Somerville)