Buy fresh produce this summer at Boston Farmers’ Markets
April 28, 2023
As warm weather is around the corner, farmers’ markets will become more and more prevalent. They are perfect for buying local and fresh produce among other specialty items, and most markets accept food stamps and other alternative forms of payment.
The Copley Square Market runs every Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 12 to Nov. 21. This beautiful market brings a large variety of vendors including several places for fresh flowers, produce, bread and animal products (1).
They also are home to specialty vendors, like Happy Beans Roaster, providing fresh coffee; Guru the Caterer, providing fresh Indian food to go; Lost Arts Cultured Foods’ fermented foods; Yamacu’s West African drinks and so many more. It’s located right in the heart of Back Bay in Copley Square, as the name suggests (1).
Davis Square has a similar market that runs every Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m. between May 12 and Nov. 22. They have vendors from C&C Lobster & Fish, Bending Branch Farm’s goat cheese, SamosaMan Exotic Food, Garbage to Garden composting service and New Song Farm flowers. The Market’s home is Davis Square in Somerville (1).
SoWa Open Market houses several attractions every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. between May 7 and Oct. 29. It’s not only a farmers’ market but also hosts street vendors, food trucks and beer gardens at their 500 Harrison Ave. location in the South End. The food trucks range from pizza to lobster to dumplings. They also have produce, specialty foods and local artists and crafters (2).
South Boston is home to another market, the South Boston Farmers’ Market, running on Mondays from noon to 5 p.m. throughout June to October, which is located at 446 West Broadway. This market has tons of vendors for local produce and more (3).
Boston Public Market offers fresh produce among other things inside year-round, but from June through October, it hosts an outdoor market on Dewey Square. They have yet to release their vendor list for the upcoming season, but stay up to date on their website: bostonpublicmarket.org (4).
Haymarket is a busy and thriving outdoor market right next to the Boston Public Market building. Produce is as low as it gets because the vendors are selling produce that is at peak ripeness. Since it only lasts so long, use it as soon as possible. Five dollars can get buyers over 10 items if spent right. This market is open year-round and all day every Friday and Saturday (5).
When attending these markets, make sure to come prepared. Wear sunscreen to avoid any sun damage while browsing through the stalls. Bring plenty of bags to hold all of your items to avoid any extra waste. Come prepared with a list of items you want so you won’t overspend. Most importantly, enjoy your time there! Farmers’ markets are a time to come together with the community and shop locally at the same time.
Most, if not all, of these markets accept alternative forms of payment including SNAP, HIP, WIC and Senior coupons. Also, Boston Market coupons are available for purchase at mass.gov.
https://www.bostoncentral.com/events/haymarket-boston/p1152.php
