Watertown’s first farmers market begins in June and there will be wide variety of vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, seafood and more.The Farmers Market at Arsenal on the Charles will be held weekly from June 5 to Oct. 30 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine. It will be located in the Arsenal on the Charles, 311 Arsenal St. in Watertown, on Thornton Avenue, right next to the Arsenal Center for the Arts.
“We’re so pleased to have this opportunity to open the Arsenal campus more fully to the Watertown community in such a vibrant way. Food brings everyone together. We’re looking forward to this new adventure that will invite residents and employees and expands on that community through access to healthy and delicious offerings, music, and neighborhood outreach throughout the season,” said Carolyn Reckman, Vice President of athenahealth.
Farm vendors include Warner Farm of Sunderland, one of the oldest family farms in Massachusetts; Parker Farm from Lunenberg, which is well known for its variety of root vegetables and foraged mushrooms; and Queen’s Greens from North Amherst, will bring an assortment of greens, herbs and vegetables.
The Farm School in Athol has an established CSA pick up at the Arsenal on the Charles, with shares still available for this season. In addition to the CSA, they’ll offer certified organic vegetables, melons, and strawberries, as well as limited quantities of grass fed beef, pastured pork, and eggs from free range hens.
The Farmers Market will be about more than just food.
“We anticipating the market to become a neighborhood gathering spot with a regular schedule of music and other performers, children’s activities, special guest vendors, and a community booth featuring local groups and organizations,” said MaryCat Chaikin, one of the organizers.
In an effort to make the market more accessible to all, customers using food assistance can take advantage of a dollar-for-dollar SNAP match up to $15 for people using a MASS DTA card. WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Coupons will also be accepted.
Credit card users can get tokens to use at the stands.
Hers is a list of the vendors signed up for Farmers Market:
Produce
Apex Orchards (Shelburne, MA) – Tree fruit including apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums, grapes, honey. Starts late July as products come into season
Parker Farm (Lunenburg, MA) – Full range of vegetables and greens with a specialty in root vegetables, foraged mushrooms
The Farm School (Athol, MA) – Certified organic vegetables, melons, strawberries
Queens Greens (N. Amherst, MA) – Variety of vegetables, greens and herbs
Soluna Garden Farm (Winchester, MA) Herbs and flowers
Warner Farm (Sunderland, MA) – Full range of vegetables including tomatoes and corn, fruit including melon, raspberries and strawberries, herbs. Some certified organics (corn, asparagus, strawberries)
Meat & Seafood
Lilac Hedge Farm (Berlin, MA) – Beef, pork, lamb, goat and poultry using sustainable, natural practices. Also, eggs, honey & wool products.
Red’s Best Seafood (Boston, MA) – Wild caught shellfish and seafood from the New England coast
The Farm School (Athol, MA) – Grass fed beef and pastured pork. Eggs from free range hens
Farm Winery: Carr’s Ciderhouse (Hadley, MA) – hard cider, apple cider vinegar, apple cider syrup
Specialty Foods
Fastachi (Watertown, MA) – Handroasted nuts and nut butters
Hosta Hill (West Stockbridge, MA) Lacto-ferments including tempeh, sauerkraut and kimchi made with their own produce
Iggy’s Bread of the World (Cambridge, MA) – Large range of artisinal breads, bagels, rolls, pizza shells, pastry and more
Mariposa Bakery (Cambridge, MA) – A variety of pies, pretzel rolls, scones, donuts, bundt and tea cakes, with a focus on local fruit
Tex Mex Eats (Cambridge, MA) – “Texachusetts” specialties using locally sourced products including salsa, tamales, and prepared dishes
Tipping Cow Ice Cream (Cambridge, MA) Gourmet ice cream with off beat flavors
For more information on the Farmers Market at Arsenal on the Charles click here.