Farmers’ Market – Page 3 – Salem Main Streets

See the World, See Salem, Live on Periscope

History, New Businesses, Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, SMS News No Responses »

Jul 152015

What did you do on the way to work yesterday? I took a live, guided, interactive tour of the Taj Mahal, followed by a walk through the streets of Dublin. All courtesy of an amazing new piece of social media technology called Periscope. And (weather permitting) you have the opportunity to see it in action as Salem Main Streets will be joining @SalemAMB in live streaming from the Farmers’ Market at approx. 5pm on Thursday.

Periscope, simply put, is a video of something going on, but it is live. And you the viewer can ask the film-maker questions in real time. It’s just like being there.

In the words of the developers, it was an idea of “discovering the world through someone else’s eyes. What if you could see through the eyes of a protester in Ukraine? Or watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon in Cappadocia? It may sound crazy, but we wanted to build the closest thing to teleportation.”

Periscope is available on iOS and Android devices. As it is owned by Twitter, announcements of live ‘scopes’ are issued on Twitter to all followers of that accompanying Periscope account. (You can also watch on your computer but there is no interactivity interface. Just copy/paste the link that appears in the Twitter promo).

By optimizing the Farmers’ Market for the initial broadcast, we are giving viewers in Salem, the North Shore — and anywhere in the world — the opportunity to ask vendors questions as we pass their tables.

Yes, indeed it is promotion for how great we feel the Salem Farmers’ Market is. But it will be enhanced by the interaction. Consider as we pass tomato baskets and someone from Ireland asks a question about which kinds of tomatoes are best with salad. Or someone in Los Angeles later remarks about the unusual aspect of lobsters at a Farmers’ Market.

If time permits, plans call for a second broadcast later in the evening of the PEM/PM party. We are strong supporters of the creative ways people express themselves in Salem through food, literature, art, music, etc. Periscope will be a way of not only “telling” people about it, but showing & interacting with them. What better way to display the community focus of the Peabody Essex Museum?

If you wish to see selected Periscopes (and we advise you while many are interesting, some are like a personal / vanity / diary / blog, and there are a few which are downright strange) go to http://onperiscope.com/ Only live ‘scopes’ can be played.

There is no charge to download the Periscope app (here is an excellent tutorial) if you wish to follow us on our journey of promoting all things Salem to the world. To participate in Thursday’s pilot efforts, either follow @SalemAMB on Twitter for a direct link notification, or open the Periscope app and click on the “Map” or “List” options and scroll down looking for titles that refer to the Salem Farmers’ Market or PEM/PM.

(Source of image is from medium.com/@periscope)

Tips (13) for Best Results at Farmers’ Markets – Especially in Salem Ma

Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, SMS News, Volunteer Opportunities No Responses »

Jun 222015

We came across an interesting article in Reader’s Digest that advised on “13 Things You Should Know About Farmers’ Markets.” Thirteen, really? That’s so Salem, Ma!

While we can’t list all 13 without infringing copyrights, a few are obvious no-brainers such as get there early for the freshest of the fresh, and it can’t hurt to ask for a sample if it’s something you’ve never seen.

We also found #8 out of the 13 to be worthy of re-posting as it speaks from the vendor’s side of the table. Something you may not have thought about.

8. Standing out in the summer sun is nice, but the job isn’t easy.
Up early, loading trucks with heavy produce, being mindful of money, home late. Plus, when it rains, customers stay away and bad weather can easily damage products.

The vendors who take the time to participate in our Farmers’ Market are not paid representatives of corporate monoliths. They ARE the lifeblood of the products or services on the Derby Square tables that you see Thursdays. Every minute they are here is a minute taken away from tending to crops or producing a product (for example, bread does not grow on trees…). Any size purchase or positive comment is welcome.

Take the time to read the Reader’s Digest article for more tips and insights.

The Salem Ma Farmers’ Market operates now through Oct. 22nd on Thursdays from 3-7 pm on Derby Sq. as it intersects Front Street.

(Cover photo courtesy John Andrews at Social Palates Photography)

Grab Your Shopping Baskets! Salem Farmers’ Market is Back!!!

New Businesses, Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Festivals, Volunteer Opportunities No Responses »

Jun 092015

No sooner does the energy of the Salem Arts Festival fade from Derby Square / Artist’s Row area than the Salem Farmers’ Market moves in with just as much fanfare, sounds, sights, colors and characters. This Thursday, from 3-7 pm you can get fresh with a veggie, fruit, etc. at Derby Sq on Front St. — rain or shine.

A farmers’ market allows growers the opportunity to market directly to consumers without having to deal with a food broker; they can also explain to customers how the food is grown and even advise on preparation. It’s a win/win.

That is especially true this year as we have a bumper crop of farms that will be delivering diverse produce.

Clark Farm
Gibney Gardens
Grant Family Farm
Heavens Harvest Farm
Honey Pot Farm (new!)
Long Hill Orchard
Maitland Mountain Farm
Wally’s Vegetables

But, as has been said before, this isn’t your grandmother’s Farmers’ Market. It’s produce and more.

Things You Can Eat (or drink)
A & J Lobsters
All Fruit, Inc. (new!)
Auntie Elsie’s Oatmeal Crisps
Cookie Monstah
Far From The Tree
Fishwives Specialty Foods
Jodi Bee Bakes
Grassy Roots (new!)
Milk and Honey
Mill River Winery
Rowand Seafood
Stillman’s at the Turkey Farm
Sweet Lydia’s
Swissbakers
Valicenti Pasta Farm
When Pigs Fly

Other Things To Bring You Joy
Teas, Herbs & Spices : Just Herbals (new!); Salem Spice

Jewelry: Heritage Handmade

Bed, Bath, Home Products: Salem Soapworks

Plus music. Don’t forget the music. Everything from folk to rock, Celtic tunes, sea shanties, and classical to name just a few. Keep checking this list as we constantly update the performance schedule.

The Salem Farmers’ Market participates in SNAP and accepts the EBT card. SFM is still looking for volunteers to help with set up and break down of the market. Click here for more info.

Salem Farmers’ Market is a Salem Main Streets project in partnership with the City of Salem, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and Mass in Motion Salem.

Get a “Marketing Degree” in Derby Sq, Salem

Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, Volunteer Opportunities, Workshops No Responses »

Jun 022015

Knowledge is power, and what you learn from speaking directly with the vendor/instructors at the upcoming “semester” of the Salem Farmer’s Market will make you a better student of food, better cook, and all around better at marketing (…the study of going to the market…). “Classes” are held Thursdays from 3-7pm, June 11- Oct 22 at Derby Sq on Front St. — rain or shine.

Seriously, where else can you talk to a person about which tomatoes go best with a hamburger vs a salad (there is a difference). Or talk about lobsters. Yes, did you not know that lobstahs are in our yard? The Salem Farmer’s Market is not your grandma’s farmer’s market. Local produce, things from the ground, the sea, and more await you. Plus there are musical performances (not by the vendors, although you never know) by talented singers & bands.

And just like attending school, you will see familiar faces/booths from previous Salem Farmer’s Markets, as well as new businesses that wish to “sign” you up for their “classes.”

The Salem Farmer’s Market participates in SNAP and accepts the EBT card. SFM is currently looking for volunteers to help with set up and break down of the market. Click here for more info. SFM is a Salem Main Streets project in partnership with the City of Salem, the Salem Ma Chamber of Commerce and Mass in Motion Salem.

Open Invitation to Join YOUR Salem Main Streets

Contests, New Businesses, Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, SMS News, Volunteer Opportunities No Responses »

Feb 212015

There are many exciting things happening behind the scenes at Salem Main Streets, and we want to bring them to light. So——

You are invited!

Please join us for Salem Main Streets’ Annual Meeting

Tuesday, February 24, 2015
5:30 pm to 7 pm
at the Salem Five Community Room, 210 Essex Street

– Celebrate Salem Main Streets’ (SMS) achievements over the past year
– Learn more about SMS mission and goals for the coming year
– Enjoy an evening with SMS supporters, volunteers, committee members, and constituents

Free
Cash bar and light refreshments
Open to all who live, work, and play in downtown Salem

Explains Kylie Sullivan, SMS Manager, “For many nonprofits, ‘annual meetings’ are primarily a function of the board and those concerned with the administration and governance of the organization. We are throwing the doors wide open for this meeting – inviting all our board and committee members, volunteers, downtown businesses, partners, sponsors, residents, municipal officials and employees, you name it. The message we want to send is that this is YOUR Main Streets and that everyone who cares about the downtown community should feel invested in the operation of Main Streets.”

Frankly no one can remember the last time Main Streets held an annual meeting. It’s time! We have so many great achievements to celebrate and recognize. Yes, we are talking about the Volunteer Booth, and the Farmers’ Market and the Holiday Tree— and so many more. And we are talking about you!

“We have so many great partners involved with Main Streets,” continues Kylie, “and we want them to be able to understand how their contribution fits into the larger Main Streets picture. Many of our partners and volunteers may only be involved with just one part of Main Streets (the info booth, the Farmers’ Market, Salem’s So Sweet) and they don’t really know how it connects to the larger mission and goals for SMS.”

To that end, while there will be a “speaking” portion of the meeting, it will be noticeably short; greater focus will be devoted on mingling with each other and visiting “stations” manned by committee members around the room to learn more about the different aspects of Main Streets and give feedback.

Consider this is to be more an interactive ongoing conversation, rather than a passive presentation.

We look forward to seeing you and listening to your input, and hopefully your participation sometime during the next year with one (or more) of our projects.

(Photo courtesy of Social Palates is of the Hula Art Project, an example of “board and committee members, volunteers, downtown businesses, partners, sponsors, residents, municipal officials and employees,” working together)

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