Winter Farmers’ Market in Somerville!

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Finally! This winter there will be a winter farmers’ market in Somerville! When I came to Boston a few years ago, I was disappointed to learn that farmers’ markets in Boston do not continue through the winter. Winter farmers’ markets provide city residents with access to farm products that are produced year round, such as eggs, meat, fish, honey, maple syrup and cheese. But what many people might not realize is that several fruits and vegetables are available in Massachusetts long after most of the outdoor markets close in November or December. Hearty winter vegetables like cabbage, sweet potatoes, parsnips and carrots as well as apples are harvested throughout the fall and are preserved in cold storage so that they last late into the winter. In addition to produce, the Somerville market will offer popular locally made products, including bread from Hi-Rise, pastries from 3 Little Figs, wine from Turtle Creek Winery, chocolate from Taza and hummus and other spreads from Seta’s Mediterranean Foods. I am so excited to check it out!

The market is organized by Shape Up Somerville, an initiative of the City of Somerville, in partnership with the Center for the Arts at the Armory, the Federation of Mass Farmers Markets, Union Square Main Streets and Groundwork Somerville. I spoke with Jaime Corliss, Director of Shape Up Somerville, who told me the response to the market has been overwhelming ever since planning began in March. The first two farms to sign on were Enterprise Farm in South Deerfield and Winter Moon Farm in Hadley, who, according to Corliss, formed an ad hoc planning committee to ensure that the market came to fruition. As word got out about the market, vendors began contacting Corliss left and right, in addition to local residents eager to volunteer and help make the winter market a reality.

Demand from vendors was so large that the market was not able to grant permits to everyone who was interested. The market will feature a roster of guest vendors which will include some of the farms who did not get a permit this year. The market will feature programming as well, including a CSA fair, where local residents can learn about their Community Supported Agriculture options, and the launch of the mayor’s fitness challenge with an emphasis on healthy eating. All of these events as well as specials and information on weekly offerings will be posted on the market’s Facebook page, which will debut in the coming days.

Beginning Saturday, January 8th, over a dozen local farmers and producers will sell at the indoor market located inside the Center for the Arts at the Armory at 191 Highland Ave in Somerville. The market will run from 10am to 2pm every Saturday for almost three months, from January 8th to March 26th.

Farms selling at the market include:

Enterprise Farm, South Deerfield, MA
Winter Moon Farm, Hadley, MA
Stillman’s Farm, Hardwick, MA
Apex Orchards, Shelburne, MA
Cook’s Farm, Brimfield, MA
Austin Brothers Valley Farm, Belchertown, MA

Several local food makers will be present as well, including:

Globe Fish Co, Boston, MA
Hi-Rise Bread Co., Cambridge, MA
Great Cape Baking Company, Marstons Mills, MA
3 Little Figs, Boston, MA
Seta’s Mediterranean Foods, West Newton, MA
Q’s Nuts, Georgetown, MA
Reseska Apiaries, Holliston, MA
Elaine Hsieh, Chocolatier, Somerville, MA
Taza Chocolate, Somerville, MA
Coastal Vineyards, South Dartmouth, MA
Turtle Creek Winery, Lincoln, MA
Zoll Cellars Winery, Shrewsbury, MA

Center for the Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA