Another season’s afoot for Medford Farmers Market
Located on Mystic Valley Parkway next to the Condon Shell, the Medford Farmers Market is underway. Stop by on Thursdays, from 3-7 p.m.
It was hazy, it was hot, and it was humid, but it wasn’t raining and none of it stopped people from coming out to the opening day of the Medford Farmers Market Thursday, June 5.
“It’s going to be an amazing season. The best year yet,” said Heather Meeker Green, president of the Medford Farmers Market board. “We’ve definitely upped our game.”
Located on Mystic Valley Parkway next to the Condon Shell, the market stretches down a paved walkway with what Meeker Green called the largest number of vendors they’ve had in 18 years, since the market began.
With a backdrop of local music, which on Friday was Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners, Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners – A high-octane cocktail of chicken pickin’ electric guitar & face melting accordion, the market has an inviting lowkey festival vibe that is hard to resist.
Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn had plenty of help when she cut the ribbon at opening day of the Medford Farmers Market. GOTTA KNOW MEDFORD STAFF PHOTOS/ CHRIS STEVENS
“I love the Farmers Market. It’s just blossomed over the years,” said Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. “It’s such a staple.”
She was on hand along with City Councilors Zac Bears and Justin Tseng and state Rep. Paul Donato to cut the ribbon for the grand opening.
One of the things she loves best about the market, she said, is the fact you can get an entire meal in one place – and she’s not wrong.
Along with the ready-to-eat vendors like Samosa Man, Bocadillas and The Chicken & Rice Guys, there’s desserts with Something Sweet Without Wheat, Batter & Bloom, Top Shelf Cookies and Doris’ Peruvian Pastries. You can even get a drink at the adjacent beer garden or grab a House Bear Brewing or Stormalong Cider or take some Snugglebug Coffee home.
If you prefer to take your dinner home, there’s also Bluefin for fish, Farmhouse Meats & Cheese and offerings from local farms that you can accent with Craic’s hot sauce or bread from The Bread Shop and The Kitchen.
There are also totally non-food related opportunities. You can get a hand or even two tattooed with henna by Karen Alzayer of Henna Inspired, pick out some jewelry at Beads by Beardslee or pick up a family craft project.
Keepkin owner Cindy Defae said she offers projects like family journals that could be turned into paper chains, or dream spirals that could be a talking point about goals for teens.
“Essentially, I want to make things that families can do together,” said the Farmers Market newbie.
Mind Body Snacks owner Kavita Patil, however, is a return vendor. Thursday a customer rushed up to Patil’s table saying she needed more of her super bites because she knew her friends would eat the ones she already bought.
The handcrafted snacks use all natural and organic ingredients and offer soft, dense bites of sweetness and spice. The hearty brownie, one of Patil’s favorites, offers a hint of nutmeg and clove mixed into the dark chocolate and you would never guess the “mighty mushroom” bites contain five different mushrooms.
Patil said she came back to the Medford Farmers Market this season in large part due to her previous customer.
“The community is so great, so supportive,” she said. “Like the lady who just came back for more before she even got home. I’m so grateful for that.”
Just a few of the vendors at this year’s Farmers Market, open Thursdays, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. through Oct. 16 and located on the Mystic Valley Parkway next to the Condon Shell. GOTTA KNOW MEDFORD STAFF PHOTOS/ CHRIS STEVENS
Meeker Green said she is also grateful for the unending support the city and residents have shown the market. Launched in 2007, the Medford Farmers Market, for years, was the only local market in the area. Meeker Green said now it seems every town has its own market making for some stiff competition.
So what sets Medford’s market apart?
“We really try to create a community feel,” she said.
She pointed to the Medford Family Network, which comes each week with a blanket and things for kids to do. Kids can also stop by the Farmers Market table and get the secret word, she said.
And the market is collaborating with the city on five city sponsored concerts. Meeker Green said the concerts start at 6:30, giving audience members time to grab something to eat at the market before settling in for a show.
If you think a farmers market is out of your financial reach, Meeker Green said not only do they accept SNAP, they have a matching program of up to $30.
“We know it’s rough out there for some,” she said.
For more information on vendors and to track weekly happenings go to medfordfarmersmarket.org.
