The East Boston Neighborhood
Health Center’s (EBNHC) Let’s Get Movin Farmers Market will kickoff next
Wednesday, July 3, at 3 p.m. in Central Square.
Once open, the widely
popular market that features a wide array of locally sourced fresh fruits,
veggies, meats, cheeses, coffee and preserves will run each Wednesday from 3 to
6:30 p.m. until Oct. 16.
Director of the EBNHC Let’s
Get Movin program Gabrielle Whitman said the East Boston Farmers Market has
become a place during the summer and fall that brings together farmers and
neighbors to shop, enjoy performances by local musicians, and find information
on healthy eating. The Farmers Market is the place to see friends, meet your
neighbors, and celebrate being a member of Eastie’s diverse and vibrant
community.
“So we have several vendors
this year with some of the favorites coming back like Farmer Dave’s and Asia
Farms,” said Whitman. “One of our new vendors this year is Arrowhead Farm and
they sell produce, meat, eggs, flowers and preserves.”
Whitman was also glad to
announce the return of Eagle Hill Coffee Company that were a big hit with the
Farmers Market crowds two years ago but were on hiatus last year.
“Another new vendor is
Valicenti Pasta who does fresh pasta, ravioli and sauces,” said Whitman. “Also
Mr. Tamole will be selling tamales biweekly as well as Seacoast Cheese Maven
that sells locally sourced cheeses.”
Another newcomer will be TC
Market who will be on hand Wednesdays to offer preserves, hot sauces, honey and
vinegars.
Whitman said the residents
of Eastie come from many different places and have many favorite foods and the
Farmers Market should reflect that diversity.
With a community that has
roots in the Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa the Farmers Market
has become a source for the greens, herbs, fruits, and vegetables of all
traditions. Aside from tomatoes, corn and beans, hot peppers there are always
unique items like amaranth, yierba mora, and papalo, water spinach and bok
choy, pea tendrils, scallions and Asian mustard, collard greens, cilantro,
peaches and apples, Italian and sweet Thai basil.
“I think people will be
excited,” said Whitman. “Some have asked for more variety and to meet that
demand we’ve added those new vendors to give folks more variety. That was kind
of our goal–to diversify things and have a little bit of everything. Diverse
cultures make up the community of East Boston and I think we are starting to
achieve that variety that reflects the neighborhood.”
Whitman said aside from
shopping at the Farmers Market the market will include musical performances, a
Bike Safety Day, Back to School Backpack Day, and more.
The Farmers Market will also
be an out-of-school summer lunch site for kids.
Whitman also noted that the
market would not be possible without all of this year’s sponsors.
EBNHC does not charge a fee
for vendors to participate in the Farmers Market, and all vendors take home 100
percent of their profits. However, there are still costs associated with
running the market and sponsors like First Priority Credit Union, Portside at
East Pier, Reelhouse and Spinelli’s helps defray those costs.
The Farmers Market accepts
cash, credit, debit, WIC coupons, senior coupons, and SNAP/food stamps.
Vouchers and coupons for shopping at farmers markets are available for
qualified families. SNAP/EBT customers receive a 100 percent incentive (a
dollar-for-dollar match up to $40-$80, depending on household size) for each
SNAP dollar spent on targeted fruits and vegetables purchased at the Farmers
Market.
WIC supports farmers as well
as good nutrition through the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. WIC Farmers
Market coupons may be used at the East Boston Farmers Market on fresh, uncut
fruits and vegetables.
Also eligible seniors can
contact the senior agency that serves their town to find out when and where
Senior Farmers Market Coupons will be distributed. Senior Farmers Market
coupons may be used on fresh, uncut fruits and vegetables and honey.
“I love working with the
different vendors year after year and see the work they do farming all year and
be able to bring those affordable fruits and vegetables to the community,” said
Whitman. “The farmers definitely try and make the food accessible to people by
accepting SNAP, WIC coupons and senior coupons and that makes it a lot more
affordable for those folks.”
2019 Vendors
Farmer Dave’s: Produce,
bakery products, beans, preserves/sauces. Dracut, MA. Weekly
Meadowbrook Orchards: Fruit,
preserves/sauces, bakery products. Sterling, MA. Weekly
Asia Farm: Specialty
vegetables. Brockton, MA. Weekly
Arrowhead Farm: Produce,
meat, eggs, flowers, preserves. Newburyport, MA. Weekly
Veronica Robles Cultural
Center: “Elotes locos” (Mexican street corn). East Boston, MA. Weekly
Eagle Hill Coffee Company:
Iced coffee, bagged coffee beans. East Boston, MA. Biweekly
Valicenti Pasta: Fresh
pasta, ravioli, sauces. Hollis, NH. Biweekly
Mr. Tamole: Tamales.
Dorchester, MA. Biweekly
Seacoast Cheese Maven:
Portsmouth, NH. Biweekly
TC Market: Preserves, hot
sauces, honey, vinegars. Somerville, MA. Biweekly
Lost Art Cultured Foods:
Sauerkraut. Cranston, RI. Monthly
2019 Events
July 31: Bike Day: Free bike
helmets for kids starting at 3:00 pm, free kids’ bike raffle, bicycle repair by
Boston Cyclists Union
August 7: National Farmers
Market Week: Join us in celebrating our farmers with a cooking demo by Project
Bread Chef Vanessa LaBranche, a raffle, and more!
August 28: Back to School
Day: Backpack giveaway for school-aged kids, free apple coupons for kids,
special guests, and more!
September 11: Community
Programs Day: Learn about fall programs from local youth, sports, and fitness
programs!
2019 Sponsors
First Priority Credit Union
Portside at East Pier
Eastern Bank
Brook Property Mgt.
Reelhouse
Beacon Communities
Spinelli’s
Originally posted here –
EBNHC Farmers Market to Return to Central Square July 3