June 24 Market Day: Live Music by Amy Spillert, Kittredge Candles, Barefoot Books, and Plenty of Produce!

Our June 24 market day will feature live music by Amy Spillert, new vendor Pony Shack Cider, the Jimmy Fund as our nonprofit guest, as well as lots of freshly picked produce, pastured farm fare, all kinds of specialty foods, and some great artisan products, as well. The Wakefield Farmers Market will be at Hall Park, on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt, each Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from. from June 17 through October 14, 2017. To give directions to a friend, just tell them to use 468 North Ave via GPS.

We are pleased to host singer songwriter Amy Spillert for her 1st of two visits this season. Amy's music is folky and upbeat, with original songs inspired by the ocean, nature, history, love, and friendship. She also has a set of cover tunes that are a perfect fit for farmers markets, and fun family songs that all ages will enjoy. Plus, she has an absolutely beautiful voice. Music will start around 10:00 a.m. The Wakefield Farmers Market Music Program is sponsored by The Savings Bank.

Wakefield Little League will be with us representing the Jimmy Fund, a charity that raises money to support the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Once the regular ball game season is over, the teams continue with games and fundraising efforts, “competing” to see who can raise the most donations to the Jimmy Fund. Please stop by to meet the players and coaches who are behind this wonderful endeavor! You will also have a chance to purchase raffle tickets for a number of great prizes, including gift certificates donated by local businesses such as Kipos, Farmland, Slice, Heavenly Licks, and Sonny Notos. Also being raffled: a $100 iTunes gift card and Red Sox merchandise. All proceeds will benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in pediatric cancer treatment, whose amazing work helps children everywhere, including kids right here in Wakefield.

Yarrow will be on hand with his super balloon twisting skills, we will have the Kid’s Activity tent set up and stocked with plenty of paper and crayons, and will of course have hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, and jump ropes on hand for kids of all ages.

Wendy Dennis will be back in the Market Kitchen tent this year sharing easy, healthy, tasty ways to use one or more types of produce offered by our farmers each week. While specifics often get decided on each Saturday morning, this week will definitely feature ways to use garlic scapes since they are now available for their short season of a few weeks. You will find the Market Kitchen tent to the left of the Market Manager tent. Cooking demos typicallly start around 10:15 a.m.

Before we go to the vendor list, here are this week’s specials and news from our vendors in the order received:

Trow’s Treasures will have summer time bug balm and insect spray, as well as other medicinal salves to keep in your traveling first aid kit.

Farmer Dave’s will have Garlic Scapes! Great for pesto and so much more. Also, MAYBE the first of the raspberries, but definitely STRAWBERRIES! And, Swiss chard, lettuce, arugala, radishes, bok choy, tomatoes, and much more! Maybe some apples from winter storage (still crisp), too!

Pony Shack Cider will proudly be offering:
Fifers Dream- Our signature cider refreshing and perfect for a summer night!
Barrel Me Over- Our best selling cider full of whiskey character!

Emmett’s Edibles: If your dog likes carrots look for Emmett’s Carrot Crunch this week!

Swiss Bakers: We have our amazing Sandwiches back, as well our special for the summer:PBB: pretzel burger buns. One bag with 6 large sesame pretzel burger buns for only $10.00!

Now, here’s what you’ve been waiting for – the official list of week’s vendors!

Produce: Charlton Orchards, Farmer Dave, and Kelly's Farm will have a growing (no pun intended) amount of fresh produce, maybe raspberries but definitely strawberries, lots of wonderful greens, tomatoes, garlic scapes, onions, radishes and more.

NEWSFLASH: Flats Mentor Farm are expected to be with us starting July 1st.

Dried Legumes: Farmer Dave’s now brings Baer’s Beans to our market! Grown and dried in Maine by Farmers Charley and Carol Baer, they are the best and so fresh there is no need to soak before cooking.

Pasture-raised Meats, Poultry, and Eggs: Lilac Hedge Farm will have all you need for locally raised meats, poultry, and eggs, along with their local. honey. They also have yummy jerky type products, including dog treats, as well. You can also get lovely eggs from Charlton Orchards.

Fish: Our friend Michelle Kraft aka The Fish Lady will be here with great seafood from Red’s Best, whose labels tell you who actually caught your fish from our local waters.

Cheese: West River Creamery Jane and her family make the very best cheese around. Really! Bet you can’t try a sample without buying some.

Specialty Foods: Deano's Pasta, Jane’s Old School Kitchen line that you’ll find at West River Creamery’s tent, and check out Farmer Dave’s stand for dried apples, jarred sauces, and more made from their produce depending on the week.

Baked Goods: Goodies Homemade (the best cookies!), Mamadou's Artisan Bakery, Swiss Bakers, The Popover Lady, The Bread Shop, and The Roasted Granola, which also offers locally made yogurt.

Beverages: Pony Shop Cider and Pour Man’s Coffee. The latter offers hot or cold beverages and unique treat to enjoy at the market as well as Fair Trade coffee beans from Dean’s Beans to take home.

Pet Treats: Emmett’s Edibles (treats for dogs AND cats)

Artisans: Barefoot Books, Kittredge Candles, Sarah’s Originals (New vendor with handmade aprons, hotpads, and more) and Wakefield’s Trow’s Treasures. Alsion Simcox and Doug Heath will also be here with their great books about Lake Quannapowitt, Breakheart, and The Middlessex Fells.

Coming Up: Music from, to name a few, Betty’s Bounce, and Los Sugar Kings, a visit from Northshore 104.9, and, to be scheduled, visits from Drumlin Farms and Curious Creatures. Plus: hold September 9 for the Friends of Beebe Library Book Give-Away!

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.

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 starting June 17 through October 14, 2017. Please visit www.wakefieldfarmersmarket.org for a current listing of vendors and upcoming events and to sign up for our email newsletter. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr. See you at the Market!