People Working Against Hunger in Watertown Honored by Community Foundation

The honorees at the Watertown Community Foundation’s Celebrate Impact Event. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Hunger is an issue faced by a growing number of Watertown residents. Recently, the Watertown Community Foundation put a spotlight on the work of several groups that have been trying to make sure everyone in town can feed their families and themselves. On Oct. 17, the Community Foundation hosted Celebrate Impact where they honored the people and groups who make up four pillars to feeding those in need in Watertown: food support, 24/7 access, food assistance, and food distribution.

Changes at the Watertown Farmers Market: New Hours New Layout

Vendors set up under the trees in the lower section of Saltonstall Park for the 2024 Watertown Farmers Market. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Watertown Farmers Market announced a new closing time and a new layout for the month of October 2024. See details provided by the City of Watertown below:

CHANGES AFOOT AT THE WFM: 6:00PM close AND new layout

Saltonstall Park renovation is about to begin. In anticipation, we will be modifying our layout starting this week, October 2nd until the end of the season. All vendors that were previously located on the upper park are moved to the plaza, lower park, or the edge of the field. Please review the new layout posted below. As always, you can ask at the Market Manager booth to help locate your favorite vendors.

Learn About Food Assistance Programs at This Week’s Watertown Farmers Market

See what’s happening at this week’s Watertown Farmers Market in the announcement sent out by the Market. Now that summer is here in full swing, the market is full of lots of fun and flavorful fruits and veggies, fantastic baked goods, sustainable seafood and meat, and so much more! 

This week, stop by the market’s Food Assistance Information table and learn about the growing issue of food insecurity and local resources available. Find out about how to access the market’s exclusive benefits including:

Our SNAP match

Using HIP dollars 

WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons

Summer EBT 

Project Bread will host our community booth to provide information and pre-screen for eligibility of SNAP benefits. Women, Infants, and Children’s (WIC) will be on site for their annual Distribution Day beginning at 4:00pm – details below. Please bring a non-perishable food DONATION for the City’s Food Pantry!

Watertown Farmers Market Will be Open on Wednesday

The Watertown Farmers Market will be open this Wednesday. The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

The Market is OPEN on June 19th! Thanks to our fans and all who came by to celebrate our Opening Day last week ~ we hit a record close to 1,000 people visiting the market! 

Just in time for summer’s official start, you can find lots of fun and flavorful fruits and veggies, fantastic baked goods, sustainable seafood and meat, and so much more at this week’s market! 

Please note that due to the high temperatures predicted, we will not have our weekly artisan or musician attending this week. 

Watertown Farmers’ MarketWednesdays 2:30 – 6:30 pm(6:00pm close in October)June 12 – October 23, 2024Rain or ShineSaltonstall ParkCorner of Main St. & Whites Ave. (next to City Hall, 149 Main Street)

Providing access to farm fresh and specialty foods, supporting local agriculture and businesses, addressing food insecurity, building community, and promoting healthy and sustainable living. See more details about this week’s market by clicking here.

Watertown Farmers Market Opens for 11th Season – 6 New Vendors, Special Events Planned

Shoppers browse the vendors at the Watertown Farmers Market on opening day for the 2024 season. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Shoppers waited eagerly at Saltonstall Park to get their hands on fresh produce, baked goods, crepes, fish, meat and more on Wednesday afternoon. With the ring of a bell by City Manager George Proakis, the Watertown Farmers Market’s 2024 season opened. This year marks the 11th for the Watertown Farmers Market. “I want to welcome you to another season of the Watertown Farmers Market,” Proakis said.

UPDATED: Watertown Farmers Market Returns This Week – See the New Vendors for 2024

The Watertown Farmers Market begins this week. The organizers provided the following information about what to expect at the market, including new vendors, returning faov

Join us Wednesday, June 12 for Opening Day! It’s almost time for market season~ We’re getting ready to kick off the 11th year of the Watertown Farmers’ Market and celebrate all the market has to offer! Scroll down to see our vendor lineup for this year and watch for more news about special features this year. Thank you for supporting our market and all things local. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable market experience! 

Opening Day Activities

2:30: Opening Bell with City Manager George Proakis2:30-4:30: Lawn games by Watertown Recreation Department3:00-5:00: Performance by HYE Fusion3:30-4:30: Kick off the Season with Get Lively Health & Fitness– free mini Get Moving and Stretch sessions at 3:30 and 4:00pm2:30-6:30: Raffle for Market Gift Certificates(drawing is open all day; you do not need to be present to win

2024 Market Vendors

We are pleased to introduce a wonderful variety of new vendors, and so glad to welcome back our fabulous returners!

Watertown’s Hidden Problem: Food Insecurity Among Us (First Part of a Series)

Food on the shelfs at the Watertown Food Pantry, which has seen an increase in the number of people using its services since the start of the Pandemic. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

For many, Watertown is a destination for food and eating, with dozens of restaurants, markets small and large, and a farmers market through the warmer months. However, a significant number of residents have trouble affording to feed themselves and their families. The hunger problem in Watertown is often not visible, but those who provide assistance and services to people in need have noticed a recent increase in the number of people in town facing food insecurity, spiking during the Pandemic. And, while the COVID cases have dropped, the numbers of people going to Watertown’s two food pantries, or needing help to put enough food on their table has remained at about the same level.

Watertown Farmers Market Returns for 10th Season on June 14

Photo courtesy of Live Well WatertownThe Watertown Farmers Market returns to Saltonstall Park on June 14. The Watertown Farmers Market enters its 10th season this month, and adds several new and a many returning vendors to the lineup of produce, baked goods, meat & fish and many specialty vendors. Artists will also attend the market each week. Opening day for the Watertown Farmers Market is June 14 and runs each Wednesday through Oct. 25 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. (6 p.m. in October), rain or shine, at Saltonstall Park — the corner of Main Street and Whites Avenue (next to City Hall).