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Week of June 23MFM Managed Markets Weekly Update Mass Farmers Markets is a public, non-profit, charitable service organization dedicated to the needs of farmers, consumers and communities.
We hold weekly Farmers' Markets in many local neighborhoods and provide support for over 250 farmers' markets state-wide. |
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Did you know that you can use your SNAP benefits at many farmers markets? At the MFM managed markets we will match your SNAP dollars each week!
Visit the market managers tent for more information.
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Our onsite market managers, Peter Ward & Peter Bowne will provide timely information about events, anticipated products, vendor profiles,
and more each week.
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Central Square Farmers Market
Cambridge MA  | | Peter Ward, Central Square Farmers Market Manager |
Greens and radishes are spectacular this spring. I bo ast about this having seen Steve Parker's kale and spinach, Hutchins Farm's organic red-leaf lettuce and Dick's Market Garden huge Romaine lettuce. Parker already has beets and carrots. Kimball's has two kinds of radish and juicy sweet hydroponic-grown tomatoes - a large size, a racquet-ball-sized brand and cherries, all with enormous flavor. The "hydro house," which provides plants with nutrients and water without a  traditional soil bed, will go on producing tomatoes through fall. The award-winning Kimball's also raises a vast array of tomatoes on about 12 acres of fields with "a couple more to plant" for the late season, said Dan Wadleigh. With the warm weather, why not enjoy Tipping Cow's cold creamy ice cream with unusual creative flavors such as sweet corn, cinnamon-oatmeal and strawberry basil? I particularly like the ginger berry. The earliest settlers cleared land to create planting fields. Well, so  do our farmers today. When Steve Parker expands and leases fields in and around Lunenburg, he often has to clear out trees, stumps, rocks and sod - a major task. "But once you get it into shape, next year it will be easier," he said. Many folks have been asking about Farmer Al who is bouncing back after a hurtful fall. He said he plans to make his 2014 inaugural appearance this week. It'll be GREAT to have back the ic onic farmer. The food that goats eat greatly influences the taste of the milk that becomes goat cheese. At Cedar Hollow Farm in Vermont Chris and Craig Decato said their goats eat hay and feed to give the milk a rich taste. They won't let them feed on grass which would result in an unappealing milk taste. Goat milk is whiter than cow's milk and that's why goat cheese looks so white. "Commercial goat cheese often have coloring added to them, derived from annatto, to make them appear more creamy or yellow in color," says the website Everything Goat Milk. What about the stereotype of goats chomping on tin cans, I asked. "Those are Billy goats," she said, not goat cheese goats. Back to Top |
 Copley Square Farmers Market
 | Peter Bowne,
Copley Square
Farmers Market Manager |
Boston MA Summer Begins! As managers of the market, we have a tent at the Trinity Church end of the St. James row of tents where we are available to field questions (along with suggestions and complaints), attend to market logistics, and deal with anything and everything that can happen in a great, crowded urban green-space. If you have any questions, concerns, suggestions or compliments come find us. Some days are more challenging than others: We are not big fans of rain during the market, but rain before a market can be a problem as well. Last week we had a good soaking rain before our Tuesday market that played havoc with the Square's  electrical service (it is all underground). Many of our vendors rely on the electrical service to maintain conditions for their perishable products. Without full electrical service everyone scrambled and moved to Plan B (there may have been a bit of venting to the management along the way). Being a vendor at Copley is like being part of a quirky family. Last week everyone involved pulled together, shared equipment and worked together to make sure perishable products were maintained under proper conditions. Thanks to everyone who made this happen. At market this week: Look for plant starts to disappear from the market soon. Best to pick  up what you need when you see it and perhaps even pick up some spares for mid-season replacements. Vendors have a good supply of kale, leafy greens, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, brassicas, herbs and flowering plants in four and six packs as well as individual pots. Come look and be inspired to keep planting.  Leafy greens are still dominating the market, but summer crops are demanding more and more space each week. The hothouse tomatoes continue along with early cucumbers (pickling, slicers and long seedless), summer squash and scallions. Check out the vendors own websites or blogs where they provide late breaking updates of what they will be bringing to market.
It seems that the weather has finally turned, so we really should be expecting to see the last of the asparagus and rhubarb. I know I keep saying this and it keeps arriving at market, but consider yourself warned. Garlic scapes are in the market for a short time as well. If you've never tried them you really need to - they are a real taste of the season. The farmers can suggest ways to use them if you don't already have a recipe in mind. Don't miss the strawberries. Local strawberries have arrived and are living up to their promise (unlike their picked unripe and shipped from far away cousins). Sweet and flavorful use them now or preserve them for later. Back to Top |
Davis Square Farmers Market
| | Peter Ward Davis Square Farmers Market Manager |
Somerville MA We're entering the first of several threshold moments of the Farmers Market season when farmers are able finally to harvest the results of their first planting. Kimball Fruit Farm has tasty miniature broccoli crowns, non-sprayed bok, green garlic and much more. Enterprise Farm has sensational organic kale, lettuce and tomato plants whose flowers portend their productivity. H ave you tried the all-natural thirst-quenching lemonade at Hanson's Farm? Elizabeth and Leah employ a hand press and push down 4 times on each lime, orange and lemon (good for the biceps). Then they add ice, mint and water and let me say: It's refreshing! Blue Heron Farm has delicious early organic beets and English shelling peas. At the start of the market last week at noon, farmer Ellery had an adorable cache of asparagus, just enough for 1 or 2 people. At many farms, asparagus is already past though you may find some if you're lucky. My point here is: customers who arrive early to the market  may discover pleasant surprises or vegetables that will sell out fast because they're so good or because there was such a small amount. By the way, be sure to rinse asparagus well. Grit can hide in the tips can ruin an otherwise nice experience. A name change offering; Matt's the Amazing Smokehouse plans to become Boston Smoked Fish Co. The company is featured in " Edible Boston" magazine. It reveals the care and creativity Matt puts into his various brands of smoked fish. Above all, it's got to be moist and not so strong the flavor overshadows the fish. Check out the wonders of organic natural sea salts, pepper and rubs at Soluna Gardens. Farmer Al returns this week. He's the Callaloo Man though it's too soon for the green leafy vegetable with the Caribbean origin. Back to Top |
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Cambridge SNAP Match Coalition's Fundraiser: Help Cambridge neighbors access Cambridge SNAP Match Coalition's Fundraiser:
Help Cambridge neighbors access fresh food!
The Cambridge SNAP Match Coalition is helping three farmers markets in Cambridge raise matching funds for SNAP shoppers, giving low-income families and individuals access to fresh, nutritious, locally-grown produce.
Everyone can help in this effort by donating whatever amount they can right now.
For every $5 donated, a family on SNAP can spend $10 on fresh, local, healthy food at a participating Cambridge farmers market.
Plus, it will help farmers and keep food dollars in the local economy!
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 Mass Farmers Markets Partners with
Viridian Energy
Mass Farmers Markets (MFM) is happy to announce a new partnership with Viridian Energy, joining their Residual Fundraising Program (RFP). |
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2014 Central Square 
2014 Copley
Fridays:
2014 Davis Square 
