By Amy L. Dempster, Westford Eagle
From spring greens and herbs to sun-ripened strawberries and from locally-made ravioli and Lebanese dips to delicious baked treats, the Westford Farmers Market is set to open this Tuesday, June 21, with a fresh mix of farms and artisan food vendors. For its fifth season the market organizers carefully selected vendors who meet the market’s mission while considering the palates of local residents and the business needs of the farms and food artisans.
“Vendor selection is a precarious balancing act,” explained Gloria Gilbert, market founder. “Selection is based on the importance of the item to the market and our supporters and the niche that it fills. Sustainable Westford promotes fresh, local, humanely-raised, green and sustainable agriculture. It’s important to partner with farms that share this mission and food vendors who will work directly with those farms when producing their consumables.”
Gilbert continued, “We also had to consider growing our supporter base to attract more shoppers. We chose Healthy Habits Kitchen and their line of nutritious prepared foods, for example, to appeal to working and busy families.”
Farm selection is particularly challenging. “We like farmers that can provide a diverse selection,” said Gloria, “But it is difficult to find niche farms that will be financially supported by our customer base. Our start-up farms in seasons past have struggled in this area. ”
Springdell Farm of Littleton and Dragonfly Farms of Pepperell are returning larger farms that provide a wide selection of produce. While Hill Orchard of Westford and Monadnock Berries of Troy, NH fill the fruit niche and Gilson Greenhouses of Groton bring the herbs and seedlings that supporters enjoy. Newcomer to the summer market is Lyn-Dell Farm of Pepperell bringing their natural beef and farm eggs. Vermont Creamery has teamed with Vermont Candy Dish to bring fresh farm cheese and homemade jellies under the new moniker, Sweet and Savory Sisters.
“The goal for selecting specialty food vendors,” explained Gilbert, “is not to overload the market with duplicate items and to keep the prices reasonable.”
Baked breads, bagels and pastries are popular at the market. Returning vendors, Bagel Alley of Nashua and La Bella Dolce of Westford, join newcomer, The Culinary Experience of Pepperell, who will bring fresh baked breads and dressings. Samira’s Homemade of Belmont, wildly popular at the winter market with their Lebanese and Egyptian dips and foods, brings their line to summer shoppers.
Rounding out the artisan foods are market favorites: Fior D’Italia of Vermont with its homemade ravioli, pasta, sauces and prepared Italian dishes; Globe Fish (formerly Liberty Fish) with fresh fish caught off the Massachusetts coast; and Nissitissit Honey of Pepperell. A new law instated last year allowing Massachusetts wineries to sell their products outside at agricultural events has paved the way for experimental vendor, Still River Winery of central Massachusetts.
After farm and vendor selection is complete Gilbert leans on her volunteers to help create the right atmosphere for the market. Volunteer Emily Piper of Rumphius…Creativity Unhinged brings her Coop Troupe Puppet Theater for an entertaining performance each week. Bill Harman creates the musical backdrop with his schedule of local musicians. Green volunteers Kristina Greene manages the popular Upcycle It! program while Kim Doherty launches the new Green Living on the Green tent where shoppers can discover environmental products and organizations. A rotating mix of craft and wellness vendors and local groups aim to please the varied interests of market supporters.
The market is open from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday through October 25. Visit www.WestfordFarmersMarket.com for additional information and to sign up for their weekly “Marketing Happenings” email.
Read more: Farmers market to open with a fresh mix - Westford, MA - Westford Eagle http://www.wickedlocal.com/westford/archive/x1388113571/Farmers-market-to-open-with-a-fresh-mix#ixzz1PavaS4Fb
