Outdoor farmers markets across the SouthCoast to check out this summer
With summer on the horizon, things are heating up and so is outdoor farmers market season in Greater Fall River and beyond.
Tents featuring an array of locally grown and made food, arts and crafts are popping up all across the region. The diverse collection of vendors each serve up their own taste of the SouthCoast and a peek into the local culture.
Looking for a fun way to spend the day? Head to a market near you. It's a great opportunity to buy fresh food while supporting farmers, makers and small businesses in your communities.
Many like the Fall River Farmers Markets also strive to provide area families access to reasonably priced and locally grown fruits and vegetables, which was not always easy to find.
Sarah Labossiere of Mass in Motion - Fall River helps coordinate and promote three weekly markets in the city run by Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership.
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The effort began in 2019 with one market a week at HealthFirst, and has grown over the years to include the Cardinal Medeiros Towers in 2020, and the Saint Anne's Hospital location in 2021.
This year's markets kick off June 21 and will run through Oct. 28. They will be held Tuesdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Saint Anne's Hospital; Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. at HealthFirst Family Care Center, 387 Quarry St.; and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cardinal Medeiros Towers, 1197 Robeson St.
Each market will feature one to two local farmers offering a large variety of fruits, vegetables, seedlings and herb plants. Labossiere said the markets are intended to be smaller "in order to not disrupt the existing flow of people at our partner sites."
There are also social service and community organizations on hand at each site to provide residents with information, resources and giveaway items.
New this year, Labossiere said they will offer cooking demonstrations on select weeks that include ingredients folks can find at the market on those dates.
The events always draw a decent crowd, and "customers have increased in number every season," Labossiere said.
"The goal of these three markets is to bring fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables as close as possible to locations where Fall River residents already live, visit, work and play," Labossiere said. "We want to make healthy eating choices as convenient and affordable as possible."
According to Labossiere, they do so by insisting that the farms providing the food at these markets are authorized to accept payment via EBT cards from folks who use SNAP, a national program that helps to supplement food budgets in order to allow individuals and families to purchase nutritious foods.
Labossiere said the promotion team works hard to share information about SNAP eligibility, as well as the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which is "a relatively new, and little known program" managed by the Department of Transitional Assistance.
"HIP allows existing SNAP recipients to be reimbursed onto their EBT card, immediately and dollar for dollar, for fruits and vegetables they purchase at a farmers market," she said.
To learn about eligibility or apply for SNAP, visit www.DTAConnect.com. For more information about HIP, go to www.mass.gov/HIP.
Coupons for WIC recipients will be given out in person at the Wednesday Health First Markets on July 6 and July 13. Coupons for income-eligible seniors will also be given out at the markets when they become available in August.
Check out Mass in Motion's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/massinmotionFR for market updates.
On Sundays you can also head downtown to stock up on fresh produce, while enjoying live music and food truck fare, at the Fall River Farmers and Artisans Market.
This open-air market offers a little bit of everything, and fun for the whole family. Located on Old Second Street across from the Fall River Government Center on Jeremiah V. Sullivan Drive, it is held every other Sunday through Oct. 16 from 11 am to 3 p.m.
For more information, specific dates or the vendor lineup, visit https://fallriverfarmersandartisansmarket.com.
Here's a look at some other go-to markets setting up shop across the SouthCoast:
Southcoast Open Air Market (Somerset)
Where: first Saturdays: Chick Marchand Memorial Park, corner of Newhill and Riverside Avenue | other Saturdays: Slades Ferry Park, 100 Slades Ferry Ave.
When: Saturdays, May 7 to Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More info: https://www.southcoastopenairmarket.com or https://www.facebook.com/SouthcoastOpenAirMarket
SOAM’s goal is "to provide a gathering point for our town and surrounding communities, centered around everything fresh, local, and handmade," according to its website. It features a rotating selection of handmade goods, handcrafted foods, fresh produce and meats, and live and local music.
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Sunday Market at Stony Creek Farm (Swansea)
Where: 1210 Wilbur Ave., Swansea
When: Sundays, May 1 through November, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/swanseafarmersmarket16
The official home of the Swansea Farmers Market, Stony Creek Farm plays host to fun activities, fresh produce, a changing collection of vendors - such as Barbosa Family Farm, Healthy Futures Farm, Bees Knees Apiary and Love & Sweets Catering - food trucks, pony rides, a free petting zoo and more every Sunday. HIP, SNAP, and EBT are accepted.
Tiverton Farmers Market
Where: 10 Quintal Drive, Tiverton Middle School main entrance
When: Starting May 1, Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/TivertonFarmersMarket or https://www.tivertonfarmersmarket.com
Tiverton Farmers Market connects the community to fresh and local produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, vegan and vegetarian options and prepared foods, according to its website. Since launching in May 2020, the market has grown to include local farms, food entrepreneurs, makers, artists, musicians and local and non-profit entities. Check the events page on their website to learn more about special Sunday Holiday Pop-up Markets hosted throughout the year.
Westport Summer Farmers Market
Where: Westport Town Hall Annex, 856 Main Road, Westport
When: Starting June 11, Saturdays through October, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
More info: https://westportmafarmersmarket.com or https://www.facebook.com/Westport-Summer-Farmers-Market-1200535876723055/
The Westport Farmers Market features local vegetables, flowers, meat, eggs, prepared foods, coffee, bread, baked goods, and crafts. Some market vendors accept EBT and WIC coupons. The market also features live music each week, thanks to a grant from The Westport Cultural Council.
Dartmouth Farmers Market
Where: St. Mary's Parish Center, 789 Dartmouth St., South Dartmouth
When: Fridays, from noon to 5 p.m., June 3 through Oct. 21
More info: http://www.dartmouthfarmersmarket.com or https://www.facebook.com/Dartmouth-Farmers-Market-436513176369216/
Enjoy a summer day at the market shopping, relaxing and listening to local musicians. Situated in Padanaram Village, the market features locally grown produce and flowers, locally raised meats and eggs, locally baked and crafted food, and handmade crafts, goods and art. SNAP benefits, HIP and WIC farmers market coupons are accepted.
New Bedford Farmers Market
Where: Brooklawn Park, Acushnet Avenue (Mondays); Serenity Gardens, Bedford Street (mobile farm stand on Tuesdays); Buttonwood Park, Buttonwood Street (Thursdays); Clasky Common Park, Pleasant Street (mobile farm stand on Fridays)
When: June 2 through October, 2 to 6 p.m. at each location
More info: https://coastalfoodshed.org/ways-to-shop/new-bedford-farmers-market/ or https://www.facebook.com/newbedfordfarmersmarket/
New Bedford’s neighborhood farmers markets offer year-round access to fresh produce, meat, honey, maple syrup, baked goods and more. Shop indoor locations from November through May, and head to their outdoor sites available from June to October. They offer in-person shopping as well as virtual markets. Check out their Facebook page or website for details. Cash and credit plus SNAP/HIP, senior coupons and WIC coupons are accepted.
Fairhaven Farmers Market
Where: J.H. Beaulieu Farm, 151 Alden Road
When: June 19 through late October, Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More info: https://fairhavenfarmersmarket.com or https://www.facebook.com/Fairhaven-Farmers-Market-172437426741689/
This privately operated market features locally grown edibles, vegetables, fruits, baked goods, meat, herbs, honey, jams, eggs, plants, homemade soaps, fresh squeezed lemonade and more. Some vendors accept SNAP/HIP and WIC and seniors farmers market coupons. There is parking on the premises.
Huttleston Marketplace (Fairhaven)
Where: Fairhaven Visitors’ Center Lawn, 141 Main St., Fairhaven
When: May 21 to Sept. 17, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More info: https://fairhaventours.com/huttleston-marketplace/
The outdoor bazaar features roughly 70 vendors selling handmade arts and crafts, antiques and vintage collectibles, upcycled items, fresh produce and locally prepared foods. Certified farm vendors accept WIC and senior FMNP coupons.
Church Green Farmers’ Market (Taunton)
Where: First Parish Church, 76 Church Green, Taunton
When: July through October, Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon
More info: https://www.facebook.com/ChurchGreenFarmersMarket/ or http://www.firstparishtaunton.org/church-green-farmers-market.html
The Church Green Farmers Market is expected to launch in July, though no official date has been announced. It offers fresh vegetables and fruits, homemade baked goods, local specialty foods and handmade household products. Vendors accept SNAP and HIP.
Southcoast Health Farmers’ Market (Wareham)
Where: 35 Rosebrook Place, Wareham
When: June 16 through Sept. 29, Thursdays from 3 to 6:30 p.m.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/306941891598891/306941941598886/
Southcoast Health, in partnership with the A.D. Makepeace Company, will sponsor this weekly market. Their featured farmer is Steven’s Farm Stand of Rochester. Debbie's Soaps, Christine Albert's creations, will offer an assortment of handmade items including assorted jams and jellies, fresh bread from Battistini Bakery, seasonings, handmade towels, soaps and other items. JL Beaulieu Farm Stand will be at the market on select dates. Live music will be provided by Ann Cavanaugh. Farmers accept all methods of payment, including WIC and SNAP benefits.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Farmers markets in Fall River, New Bedford, Westport, Swansea, Somerset, Tiverton
