Concord Farmers Market Opens For The 2024 Season

CONCORD, NH — The capital city’s outdoor farmers market is open for business.

On Saturday, the Concord Farmers Market kicked off its 2024 season with a wave of community support. Wayne Hall of Rockey Ole Farm, the market’s president, described it as one of the most memorable openings in recent history, with a significant turnout of people rallying behind the region’s local farmers and vendors. He said there were at least 10 new vendors, including guests, with more than 40 returning from last year, about 90 percent. Hall saw a lot of new faces, following up on a solid year in 2023 despite all the rain.

New for 2024, the market has a vendor selling ostrich meat. Other vendors had flowers, plants, and greens — items traditionally available early in the growing season. There were also some new root vendors featuring mushrooms and other products and other staples from past years, including wine, nuts, breads and pastries, coffee, and personal care products. Rockey Ole had some huge goose eggs.

The Concord High School tennis team had a table on Saturday, raising money for the team.

“We try to fill the market,” he said, “because it makes it a little more interesting.”

Saturday’s business was brisk — so much so that it was hard to keep up with Hall, who was handling his farm’s table while speaking with vendors and chatting with family and friends.

“I was one of the best starts ever,” he said.

Several vendors, by 11 a.m., had sold out of products. At his family’s vendor table, customers were shoulder to shoulder for most of the day, which was more typical of a July market when corn, tomatoes, and other staples are sold.

Hall said Nancy Mangs of Wild Berry Farm of Sanbornton, a member for about four years, was instrumental in revamping the market’s website. She said it was “a good feeling” to update the org’s online presence.

The market will run through Oct. 26. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit the farmers market website, linked here.

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