Celebrate National Farmers Market Week Saturday

It’s National Farmers Market Week, celebrating the personal connections and bonds between farmers, shoppers, and community! Beautiful weather is expected for our Saturday, August 10 market. The Wakefield Farmers Market brings peak local summer freshly picked fruits and veggies, the best fish, meat, dairy & cheeses, flower bouquets that will last for weeks, the yummiest baked goods and breads, syrups, jellies, jams you can only find at the market, plus lots of activities to Hall Park (next to Veterans Field, GPS 468 North Ave Wakefield MA) each Saturday now through October 12, 2019.

Farmers Market Fact: People have more social encounters at farmers markets than grocery stores.

CURIOUS CREATURES will be at the market from 11-noon! Featuring tame exotic animals, it will be fun and educational for kids of all ages. Plus, we have balloon twisting with Yarrow, Henna by Kayla, kid’s activity tent stocked with drawing materials. Plus hula hoops, jump ropes, and sidewalk chalk, and special events throughout the season, it’s a great place to shop, have a picnic, play, or just hang out on the shore of Lake Quannapowitt.

Our Live Music tent will feature Julie Dougherty for their first time this season. A seasoned performer with a great repertoire of blues and more, she can sing sweet, as well as, belt with the best. The Wakefield Farmers Market Music Program is sponsored by The Savings Bank.

Farmers Market Fact: 16% of Farmers Market farmers are under 35. Markets allow them to start small and grow their businesses.

Our guest chef is taking a break this week. Be sure to check the weekly recipes on our website, they are a great resource for a quick and healthy summer dishes. Thanks to The Wakefield Cooperative Bank, our Market Kitchen Tent and Farm/Food Education sponsor.

The Pop-Up Library will be here for their monthly visit. You can take out book and even sign up for a library card right at the market. How cool is that!

Here’s what you came here for – our vendor list for August 10:

Produce: Along with plenty of in-season peak summer produce, all our Farmers offer something special. Farmer Dave’s will have their amazing potted plants, a variety of onions and finger crossed for this week, mushrooms! Stop by Fay Mountain Farm’s booth and grab a few of their famous zucchini for stuffing and the yummiest cherry tomatoes. Kelly’s Farm will have their gorgeous fresh cut flower bouquets and delicious, fresh corn. Flats Mentor Farm is stocked with specialty Asian greens and herbs. Try the water spinach – mild and delicious in stir fry.

Pasture-raised Meats, Poultry, and Eggs: Lilac Hedge Farm will have all you need for locally raised meats, and poultry. Try their farm fresh eggs, you’ll never buy them at the grocery store again.

Seafood: Roberto’s Seafood will have plenty of fresh seafood on hand. You can even pre-order and have it ready for you at the market. Call Roberto’s Seafood for details. Eat more fish!

Cheese: West River Creamery with the very best cheese, Jane will also have her delightful pickled produce and mustards. Try the blue cheese, you won’t be sorry.

Specialty Foods: Coutt’s Specialty Foods will have 100% natural jams, jellies and relishes. Try the corn relish, it’s fabulous on a summer burger off the grill. Deano’s Pastadelicious fresh pasta and sauces, for a restaurant quality meal at home. Habibi Gourmet Food (Mediterranean fare), with the best authentic, Egyptian and Lebanese food around. Try their olives, they are firm and delicious, the flavors are spectacular.

Baked Goods: Goodies Homemade (the scones are the best), Swiss Bakers (try their pretzels, a great market snack), The Bread Shop will have their famous cinnamon rolls and sourdoughs, and The Roasted Granola, with the best granola you’ve ever tasted.

Beverages: Aaronap Cellars (wine) are showcasing the best in Northeast wine making. Tower Beverages will have their craft soda (the best ginger ale). Pour Man’s Coffee is here, too, with the BEST ice coffee and other beverages, plus treats to enjoy at the market. They also sell Fair Trade coffee beans from Dean’s Beans to take home.

Pet Treats: Emmett’s Edibles, with healthy treats for your canine and feline friends.

Artisans: BeUbyRumi is here with beautiful beaded jewelry! Sheepshed Mountain View Farm, specializing in their own line of Tencel/Merino, Coopworth, Columbia, Silks, Angora rabbit and goat, creating fantastic spinning yarns. Jerry’s Upholstery is here featuring decorative pillows, dog/cat beds, duvet covers and sheets.

Please join us in supporting our local farmers, small batch producers and artisans for National Farmers Week.

Farmers Market Fact: Growers selling locally create 13 full time jobs per $1 million in revenue earned. Those not selling locally create 3.

Sneak Peak: Next week, live music with Birchwood Blaze & new artisans vendors

Want to help? Go to the How to Volunteer page on our website or stop by the Market Manager table to learn how. Many hands make a better market for all.

The market will continue to accept both SNAP/EBT and credit/debit cards for the purchase of Market Bucks for shopping, and will again be matching SNAP purchases up to $10 per visit so that everyone can afford to get fresh and healthy foods at our market. And, Farmer Dave’s is again taking part in the Healthy Initiative Program (HIP).

The Wakefield Farmers Market runs RAIN OR SHINE (except in dangerous weather, e.g. lightning or hurricane conditions). The market opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 1:00 p.m. every Saturday from mid-June to mid October. The 2019 season will run from June 15 through October 12. Please visit wakefieldfarmersmarket.org for a current listing of vendors, live music, and special events and to sign up for our email newsletter. See wfmmarketkitchen.site for our recipes! You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr.

See you at the Market!
AnnMarie Gallivan, Market Manager