Farmers Market celebrates 20 years of building community

By Crystal Yormick

The Medford Farmers Market opened its 20th season with a community celebration on Thursday.

Vendors lined the pathway at Condon Shell Park drawing a crowd of all ages. Shoppers browsed an assortment of goods and produce, including flowers, bracelets, and soaps, fresh asparagus, fish and strawberries. A live band provided music while children blew bubbles and played with toys in a space created just for them.

“It’s really become a really vibrant community hub where we have not just the vendors selling local goods but also a lot of community activity,” said manager Aloe Dickson.

The market has grown significantly over the past 20 years, said Heather Meeker Green, who is president of the market’s board of directors. She said there are now about 22-30 tables each week, and foot traffic has increased from about 2,000 people a season when she first got involved about ten years ago to about 12,000 to 13,000 people a season now. Vendors said foot traffic is usually slower during the first hours of the market but tends to pick up between 5 and 6 p.m. once people get out of work.

“We’ve really grown, and it’s nice to provide a lot of the opportunities for both the small businesses and the participants who come,” Meeker Green said.

Vendors and shoppers alike praised the market for the community it fosters and said it is the reason they keep returning each year. They also pointed out the music, variety of options, and friendliness of people at the market as their reasons for either buying or selling.

“It’s fun to be part of my own community,” said Sarah Beardslee, who is the owner and jewelry designer of Beads by Beardslee and has been selling at the market since it opened. “I see a lot of friends, neighbors, [and] meet all sorts of new ones while I’m here.”

The shaded location is another factor that makes Medford stand out because a lot of other markets take place in parking lots, Dickson said. Beardslee said she’s noticed the thoughtfulness of the organizers over the years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The market hosts special events once a month, including two in June. Themes include “Summer Fun,” “Dog Days,” “Apple Fest” and “Bike Fest.” Its dates and location also coincide with five city concerts that start 30 minutes before it closes.

“We try to bring a lot of variety there for folks,” Meeker Green said.

The market also hosts tables for nonprofit organizations, like the Medford Family Network. There is also a SNAP match program, which Dickson said about 25-30 people use a week. The market can match SNAP money up to $30.

Several opening-day shoppers, including first-time participants, said they plan to come back more throughout the season.

“It’s so nice that it’s back open. You see some familiar vendors from last year and new folks, too,” said resident Jenna Overton, who found unique items like chai powder and specialty hot sauce at the market.

People come to buy at Medford’s market compared to others where people solely wander around, said Jimmi Walsh, a Medford resident working the Q’s Nuts stand.

“People are stopping by. I just love interacting with everybody,” Walsh said. “I get to be outside, not roasting or packaging. I get to be out with all the cool kids.”

And for families, the market has options for parents, children and grandchildren. Kwasi Mensah said his 3-year-old son plays in the kids’ section and gets ice cream. Meanwhile, Mensah has access to fresh produce and his personal favorite vendor, Bread Obsession.

“Mostly for us, it’s that some of these businesses are our neighbors,” Mensah said.

Claire and Marty Friedman usually attend the market with their children and grandchildren. Claire said she purposefully doesn’t buy produce earlier in the week because she plans to buy it at the market. Although it can be a little pricier than other options, she said, she tries to “keep the money local.”

“It’s just a really great place to get together with families,” she said.

Malden resident Calie Bridges discovered the market for the first time on Thursday while she was driving by, and she stopped in. She said she plans to return after buying flowers, coffee grounds and nuts on her first visit.

The market will continue to run on Thursdays until Oct. 15. Dickson said they are always looking to get more people involved and let them know the market is a resource to connect with local produce.

“There’s nothing better than locally made, locally sourced, locally produced food,” Beardslee said.