Farmers’ Market: plenty of local green

By Stephen Vittorioso/Staff Writer
Thu Jun 25, 2009, 08:00 AM EDT

WESTFORD - Fresh local produce has returned for a third season to the Westford Town Common.
The 2009 Westford Farmers’ Market on the Common opened June 23 with about 20 to 25 vendors selling prize-winning cheese, lush vegetables, delicious desserts and local crafts. Market founder Gloria Gilbert said the community-embraced market, open Tuesdays through Oct. 27, allows shoppers to eat local.

“The mission of the market is to promote agriculture,” Gilbert said as she, shoppers and vendors dodged opening-day showers Tuesday afternoon. “It’s just really exciting. Everyone is very happy.”
 Three-year market vendor Janet Parant of Londonderry, Vt.-based West River Creamery offers numerous cheeses, including marinated feta, farmhouse Jack and English cheddar, and meats, such as bacon and Polish sausage. “I introduce people to cheese that they can’t buy in Shaw’s,” Parant said. “It’s a great market. I love being back here. It’s really done well.”

The community market began in 2007 as a small initiative to help support local farmers, but during the past two years, organizers and vendors have helped it grow to promote organic food and educate shoppers about farming and the environment. “The food itself is fresher,” said Susan Ventura of Pepperell-based Dragonfly Farms. She has returned for her third year, selling strawberries, onions, radishes, herbs and vegetable plants. “You’re not only supporting sustainable farming, you’re also supporting a sustainable community.”

Despite showers, shoppers attended the market Tuesday because they said they enjoy supporting the community. Friends Karya Bowen, 16, and Sarah Conlon, 16, perused the market after walking to the J.V. Fletcher Library. “We decided to tough it out because it’s the first one [of the season],” Bowen said. “We like the fresh food.” Conlon said farmers markets are eco-friendly, allowing her and others to reduce carbon footprints. “I like getting fresh food because it’s better than the supermarket,” said Sarah Conlon, 16. “I think farmers markets in general are fun.”

For more information, visit www.westfordfarmersmarket.com. Located on the Westford Town Common, across from the J.V. Fletcher Library, 50 Main St., the market is open Tuesdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer, 2 p.m. to dusk in the fall.
Staff Writer Stephen Vittorioso can be reached at 978-371-5727 or at svittori@cnc.com.