Farmers Market Wrap-Up and Celebration
After a year that started off looking like a repeat of 2020, we couldn't be more excited to celebrate the success of this year's National Farmers Market week with a look into some of the wonderful festivities at last week's markets across Greater Boston and beyond
We thank all of the farmers, vendors, market managers, volunteers and all who have made these crucial markets possible, keeping food accessible for all across the commonwealth.
Want to stay in the know?
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss a thing! We have monthly industry bulletins and daily emails about our markets and more!
We asked some of our amazing market shoppers and vendors why they love farmers markets and we're excited to show you what they had to say.
State and Local Officials Celebrate Massachusetts
Farmers Market Week
“Farmers Market Week reminds us all of the significant benefits local farmers markets offer to communities across the Commonwealth,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “We’re pleased to work with our local farmers and support the many farmers markets in Massachusetts that provide greater access to fresh, local food and expand the reach of Massachusetts’ agricultural sector.” Over 7,200 farms in Massachusetts keep approximately 491,000 acres of land as open space, and produce over $475 million in agricultural goods each year. Massachusetts ranks fifth in the nation for direct market sales with over $100 million annually. “As the Baker-Polito Administration celebrates Farmers Market Week, we encourage everybody to get outside and visit their local farmers market not only this week, but throughout the season,” said Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Lebeaux. “At this time, Massachusetts is entering its peak harvest, and shoppers will find an abundant array of fruits, vegetables, and other great products at their local farmers market.”
Kicking off Farmers Market Week in Truro, MA
Governor Charlie Baker, in recognition of the important role farmers markets play in expanding access to fresh, healthy food in Massachusetts, has declared August 1, 2021 to August 7, 2021 as Massachusetts Farmers Market Week.
USDA Celebrates National Farmers Market Week
The Secretary proclaimed the first week of August as National Farmers Market Week as a way to champion the direct-to-consumer producers, market managers, and customers that make their communities come alive during market days. Local and regional food systems – including farmers markets – are critical to the future of the nation’s food system. Farmers markets provide a unique low-barrier entry point for beginning farmers and ranchers. By selling directly to the consumer, farmers markets can provide higher returns for farmers and ranchers, and the evidence shows that these new farm businesses survive longer than new farm businesses selling strictly wholesale.
[Read more from the USDA here]
Market of the week
The wonderful folks at SEMAP have been working diligently to insure food access to folks in Fall River. What started as a weekly farmers market has now blossomed into a series of three farmers markets happening every week from June through October. Read more about the markets and the folks who work tirelessly to make these a reality.
A Day in the Life of Central Square
This summer, Central Square Farmers Market in Cambridge hosted a teen photography workshop. Through their photographs, these teens captured the life of the market and the people who make them possible. A big thank you to Mark Ostow Photography and Miranda Viskatis for making this happen!
Supporting Farmers Markets and the teams making them happen
Whether your farmers market is new or well-established, Mass Farmers Markets Membership offers something for everyone. Your Annual Market Membership can be a vital resource to your continued growth as a market both this season and in seasons to come.
Member benefits include:
Support & Assistance
Two free hours of consulting per year
Possible use of Mass Farmers Markets as a fiscal sponsor
Access to our online sharing platform, including toolkits, templates, SNAP & HIP resources, chat forum
Referrals
Promotion & Marketing
Co-branding and publicity via social media
Inclusion in our newsletter
Discounts
Constant Contact, Farmspread, Farmers Market Coalition
Market Manager training
Discounted Farmers Market Liability Coverage
Attendance and voting rights at our Annual Meeting
For full details of ALL membership benefits, check out our Member Benefits page, where you can also sign up for or renew your membership for 2021.
Especially as markets across the state transition their practices to accommodate a post COVID-19 landscape, Mass Farmers Markets is here to help guide you through the 2021 market season.
Mass Farmers Markets also hosts a biweekly Market Manager Zoom call that is currently open to all market managers and organizers. This serves as a forum to connect markets from across the state, share ideas, and deliver information on relevant an and timely topics.
Every other Wednesday, 10- 11 AM. Next session takes place on 8/11/2021.
All farmers market managers and organizers are welcome, but registration is required. You can register to attend one session, the whole series, or anything in between.
Mass Farmers Markets is please to introduce Lizzie McCarty as our new Member Services Manager!
Lizzie earned her BS in Environmental Science with a heavy emphasis on food systems and sustainable agriculture. While living in Vermont, she completed an internship with Vermont Farm to Plate Network, worked on an educational farm, and worked directly under the market manager at the Burlington Farmers Market for two full seasons.
Since moving to the Boston area this fall she has served as EBT Coordinator at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market and has been involved with Mass Farmers Markets since March 2021 as both an EBT Coordinator and Assistant Market Manager.
Lizzie first became interested in farmers markets as a place to foster community through food and a way to bridge the gap between consumer and producer. She is passionate about food access, education, and community engagement.
Lizzie serves as the primary point of contact at Mass Farmers Markets for farmers market managers from across the state. She is focused on supporting our members with the resources and information necessary to help make their markets thrive. Please join us in welcoming Lizzie to her new role! She is already an amazing addition to the MFM team at the Central Sq and Davis Sq Farmers Markets and we have no doubt that she will excel in this new role as well.
Lizzie can be reached by phone at 781-893-8222 x1006 or by email: memberservices@massfarmersmarkets.org
MFM Member Tools, Services & Resources
Need help with written translation? Mass Farmers Markets has some funding for Mandarin translation of farmers market materials. We can work with you to develop the right language and phrasing for your market customers
Want some press? Send us your photos with complete captions to us and we will showcase them in our publications and social media!
We have created a private online space via Basecamp for member markets to collaborate, share ideas and resources, ask questions, and support each other.
If you haven't joined us yet, please send us an email here
Tools to Promote Your Market
Are you using Farmspread?
We've been investing heavily in creating the framework to make finding farmers markets a snap for customers across the state.
Creating a Farmspread page for your market is easy and allows customers to find you quickly and easily. With an easy, user friendly interface, you can add all the necessary details about your market in minutes.
Our "find a market" page has double the traffic of our home page. Folks have turned to Mass Farmers Markets and Farmspread to find the farmers market near them!
If you're a market manager, setting up your profile is simple and it allows you to connect your market's website + social media to drive more traffic to you.
If you're a vendor, your Farmspread profile allows you to keep shoppers up to date with what your seasonal or weekly offerings, connect your website, contact and social media channels.
Want to get started? Email us now!
Is your market or booth stocked with the essentials?
We have an abundance of gloves, bleach and hand sanitizer and are selling them at very low prices. Protect yourself and your shoppers!
Help Us Help You!
Volunteer at the Big E!
Want to get volunteer at the largest agricultural event on the eastern seaboard and the sixth-largest fair in the nation?
The Big E represents New England agriculture while putting it on the big stage.
Mass Farmers Markets is looking for volunteers to assist us with running our booth this year.
We’re also looking for a booth manager for the entirety of the Big E Festival!
For details about this position, please click here to read more
Apply to Join Our Board of Directors
Mass Farmers Markets is currently accepting applications to serve on our Board of Directors or related committees. This is a great opportunity to expand your existing skill sets while networking and helping your community.
MFM seeks applicants who are passionate, motivated, and genuinely interested in Farmers Markets Communities and driving food policy forward in Massachusetts. Please share this request with others within your network, your constituents, and any persons you feel may be a good fit for the board/committee.
If you would like to learn more, or are interested in becoming an MFM Volunteer please click the button below to fill out the form.
For more than 40 years, MFM has been a leading nonprofit organization working on behalf of farmers markets throughout the state. We help create, sustain, and promote farmers markets and the many benefits they bring. We help connect more individuals to local and healthy food through farmers markets systems. At the core of MFM's mission, we support social and economic development and the health of individuals statewide - collaborating extensively with community partners and other stakeholders
Government Relations Updates
What is going on the industry and how it impacts us
What Biden’s New Executive Order Means for Agriculture
In July, President Biden passed a new executive order to support farmers. This executive order is an encouraging first step towards breaking the current food monopoly and putting food production back into the hands of the small farmer.
The locally grown flower industry is booming
One industry that boomed during Covid was the local florist industry, whereas the global flower market plummeted. Check out this article to learn more about the local floral businesses that blossomed during the pandemic and the upward trend of people preferring sustainably grown local flowers to pesticide laden, unethically produced commodity flowers.
'Safe and secure':
On tour of leased Berkshire farms
Rising costs are pushing dairy farmers over the edge
Rising costs are pinching dairy farmers across the country and across the globe.
Have you reviewed the current MDAR grants?
Agricultural Energy Grant Program
Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP)
Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program
Agricultural Climate Resiliency & Efficiencies (ACRE) Program
Stewardship Assistance and Restoration on APRs (SARA)
Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP)
Kimball Fruit Farm is looking for market staff! Interested applicants should send their resumés and availability to info@kimballfruitfarm.com
Black Label is looking for part time market attendants for Sunday, Thursday & Friday market days. This role has the potential to go full time. Contact blacklabelwares@gmail.com for more information
Urban Spice World is looking for assistance this season. Click here for more information or email info@urbanspiceworld.com
Boston Smoked Fish Co is looking for market staff! If you are a self starting food lover who enjoys interacting with customers and likes to work outdoors this is the perfect job. Boston Smoked Fish Co. is hiring for the summer and fall market season for Greater Boston area markets with full and part-time positions available. $14 - 18/hour. Compensation includes hourly rate plus commission, miles and tolls. Interested applicants should email BSFC here
Are you looking for help at your market or at your booth? Email us here and we'd be happy to spread the word for you!
Vendors! Are you looking for markets to attend?
Boston University’s Fall Farmers’ Market is currently seeking vendors for their upcoming fall market starting in September. The market is held on Thursday afternoons from 11am to 3pm in front of the George Sherman Union building, located at 775 Commonwealth Ave, and will run from September 9 through October 28. The market is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your products to BU students, staff, and faculty, as well as other community members.
If you are interested in participating please complete the Vendor Profile Form and return it by emailing Lexie Raczka, along with the required documents identified in the form. We work to ensure variety in the vendors participating in the market, if you are approved I will then share our License Agreement for Farmers’ Market Participation. The City of Boston’s Inspectional Services Division is waiving their vendor fee this year, so the only cost of participation is parking – $12/market.