Farm Credit East Awards $37,000 to Massachusetts Farmers’ Markets
On August 7, 2023, Farm Credit East reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Northeastern farmers' markets and local agriculture by awarding $100,000 in small grants to 184 farmers' markets and farmers' market organizations across the region. This initiative coincides with National Farmers' Market Week, celebrating the pivotal role these markets play in connecting producers with consumers, promoting sustainability, and enhancing community access to fresh, local produce.
Farmers' markets serve as essential channels for producers in the Northeast to market and sell their agricultural products while fostering direct connections with consumers. To bolster this vital marketing initiative, Farm Credit East is delighted to have distributed grants during the summer, with a focus on supporting 71 markets in Massachusetts, where $37,000 in grant funding was allocated.
The grant funds will serve a multifaceted purpose, ranging from supporting participating farmers to improving market infrastructure and enhancing marketing efforts. Additionally, these funds will be instrumental in facilitating access to fresh, locally sourced food for underserved communities and will support programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
National Farmers' Market Week, observed from August 6 to 12, provides an excellent opportunity for everyone to show their support for local agricultural businesses by purchasing produce from nearby farmers' markets and roadside stands.
To assist individuals in locating farmers' markets in their respective areas, Farm Credit East has compiled a comprehensive Farm Fresh Guide, covering its eight-state territory, which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This guide offers valuable resources for those looking to connect with local farmers and markets.
Here is the list of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets that have received grants:
Acton Boxborough Farmers Market
Amherst Farmers' Market
Arlington Farmers' Market
Ashland Farmers Market
Bernardston Farmers Market
Beverly Farmers' Market
Billerica Community Farmer Market
Braintree Farmers Market
Brightwood Farmers' Market
Brockton Farmers Market
Canton Farmers Market
Casey Farm Market
Center Fresh Chicopee
Central Square Farmers Market
Chelmsford Market on the Common
Church Green Farmers Market
Codman Square Farmers Market
Copley Square Farmers Market
Davis Square Farmers Market
Dedham Farmers Market
East Boston Farmers' Market
Easthampton Farmers Market
Eastleigh Farmers' Market
Farmers' Market South Hadley
Florence Farmer's Market
Framingham Farmers Market
Franklin Farmers Market
Great Barrington Farmers' Market
Great Falls Farmers Market
Greenfield Farmers Market
Groundwork Lawrence Farmers Market
Grow Food Northampton Farmers Market
Hilltown Mobile Market
Hopkinton Harvest, Inc. dba Hopkinton Farmers Market
Ipswich Homegrown Market
Kendall Square/Canal District
Kilroy Square Farmers Market
Lexington Farmers' Market
Marshfield Farmers' Market
Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition
Medford Farmers Market
Needham Farmers Market
New Bedford Farmers Market
Norfolk MA Farmers Market
North Adams Farmers Market
Northfield MA Farmers' Market
Norwood Farmers Market
Orang MA Farmer's Market
Osterville Farmers' Market
Petersham Friday Market
Pittsfield Farmers Market
Plymouth Farmers Market
Provincetown Farmers Market
REC's Community Farmers Markets
Rockport Exchange
Rowley Farmers' Market
Salisbury Farmers Market
Southbridge Farmers Market @ Big Bunny
Sustainable Nantucket Farmers + Artisans Market
The Farmers Market at Forest Park
The Shrewsbury Farmers Market
Truro Farmers Market
Union Square Farmers Market
Walpole Farmers Market
Waltham Farmers Market
Watertown Farmers' Market
West Springfield Farmers' Market
Westfield Farmers Market
Williamstown Farmers Market, Inc.
Wilmington Farmers Market
Winchester Farmers Market
Farm Credit East's generous support ensures that these farmers' markets can continue to thrive, connecting communities with the freshest local produce and fostering a sustainable future for Northeastern agriculture.