Jun 052018
 

What do the following seven major farms have in common: Clark Farm, Gibney Gardens, Maitland Mountain Farm, Grant Family Farm, Heavens Harvest Farm, Long Hill Orchard, and Wally’s Vegetables? They are the heart of the Salem Farmers’ Market, which returns for its 10th season this Thursday from 3-7pm, at Derby Square on Front Street in Salem, MA

Just as every shopping mall has anchor stores which are the main attractions, so does a successful Farmers’ Market have booths with general appeal items of summer vegetables, such as from the above-mentioned local and regional farms.

“Over the past decade, the Farmers’ Market has truly become a destination for the community – it’s a gathering place as well as an opportunity to get fresh, local produce and other one-of-a-kind goods,” Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan said, adding that the market typically draws over 2,000 market-goers weekly. “With the great range of vendors that we have, there’s something for everyone at our Farmers’ Market.”

What Will You Find at Salem Farmers’ Market?

For five months every year, the largely volunteer-run market gives residents and tourists alike the opportunity to buy farm-fresh produce, seafood, baked goods, and meats. Also available are an array of specialty foods, bakery products, spices, and non-food vendors. In total this year we have 35 participating vendors!

Exciting new additions (think of them as all the cute and intriguing smaller stores in the mall) to the 2018 market include Fixx Chocolates, Kim Gregory Pure Pastry, Red Antler Apothecary, Root NS, Sustainable Food Solutions, and Zen Bear Foods, along with many other surprises and additions throughout the season.

Every week the market offers live music and representation from different community groups and initiatives.

To celebrate the market’s 10-year anniversary this year, attendees can look forward to limited edition swag, prizes, and special events popping up throughout the season, both at and outside of the market.As in previous years, the Salem Farmers’ Market will continue to take EBT through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  In compliance with the City of Salem’s plastic bag ordinance, we encourage attendees to bring their own bags – or buy a tote bag at the market to support our work!

The market is made possible through the leadership of Salem Main Streets and the Farmers’ Market Committee, as well as the generous contributions of numerous volunteers.  We are still accepting volunteers to help with weekly set up from 1:30 to 3pm, help at the info table between 3-7pm, and break down help from 6:30 to 7:30pm. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Salem Farmers’ Market.

To get the latest updates about the farmers’ market, visit our website at www.salemfarmersmarket.org, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter .

The Salem Farmers’ Market will be held at Derby Square on Front Street in Salem, MA every Thursday from 3-7pm from June 7th through October 11th, 2018. Mark your calendar. Set aside a basket. And we’ll see you on Thursdays!

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Mar 032018
 

What goes into a Farmers’ Market? Yes, yes, fruits, veggies, and whole lot more. But, what is the criteria to actually be a vendor? Interested in going behind the scenes? And if you’re a local or regional farmer, Salem Main Streets really wants you to read on, as we are always looking to add another vendor to our menu.

Salem Main Streets has just issued the invitation for local farmers and food vendors to participate in the 2018 Salem Farmers’ Market. It will be centrally located in downtown Salem in Derby Square on Thursdays, 3:00–7:00 p.m. from June 7 through October 11, 2018.

“We are so proud of our market vendors, and we hope to see many returning, but we’re also always on the look-out for the next up and coming business,” explains Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan. “This is the perfect opportunity for a newer small businesses looking to get to the next level, as well as established businesses looking to reach a new audience.”

Rules and Regulations

All products must be grown or produced in New England. If a farmer is selling any items he/she did not grow, the farm of origin must be listed. Vendors may label items organic only if they are certified.

Sullivan notes that the Salem Farmers’ Market is especially looking for meat and cheese vendors.

Non-farm products must be high quality, locally made, take skill and creativity, and the vendor must add at least 75% of the total value to the product.  The product(s) should be complementary to a farmers’ market.

Anyone wishing to sell their products at the Salem Farmers’ Market must submit an application for consideration by March 17.  Applications can be downloaded from www.salemfarmersmarket.org.

Booth space is $30 a week for a 10’ x 10’ spot, $60 for a 10’ x 20’ spot, and $90 for a 10’ by 30’ spot.  There is a discount for prepayment of the entire season.

So, you see, not just anyone can roll their pick up over to Derby Square and dump a load of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, etc.

Celebrating 10 years this season, the Salem Farmers’ Market welcomes an average of 2,000+ customers weekly.  The market is made possible through the leadership of Salem Main Streets and the Farmers’ Market Committee, as well as the generous contributions of numerous volunteers.

For more information please contact Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan via email at kylie@salemmainstreets.org or phone at 978-744-0004 x115. To get the latest updates about the market, visit our website at www.salemfarmersmarket.org, or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SalemMAFarmersMarket) or on Twitter (@salemfarmersmarket).

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Nov 142017
 

Whether you are again cooking the Turkey bird yourself, or buying a pre-cooked one from a grocery store, or just going to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving, we’ve got a suggestion on how to make it a fresh experience. The Salem Winter Market takes place this Saturday, Nov. 18th from 1-5pm at the Witch City Mall (formerly the Museum Place Mall, 1 Church Street) featuring seasonal produce from local farmers. Make the side dishes and the rest of the table stand out!

In fact, a diversity of local vendors will be present at the Winter Market this season. Patrons can expect to find an assortment of foods and artisan crafts including seasonal produce, pasture-raised poultry, locally-caught lobster, baked goods, wreaths, handmade soaps, honey, pickles, gourmet ravioli, and artisan chocolates.

“The Winter Market is a fantastic opportunity to support local farms and artisans through the holiday season, and is a chance to find some truly unique holiday gifts,” states Kylie Sullivan, executive director of Salem Main Streets and organizer of the market. “We’re also very excited to showcase our vendors in the Mall again this year, where we can complement and highlight the variety of great year-round tenants in the mall.”

The Salem Winter Market is a seasonal extension of the Salem Farmers’ Market, this year scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 18th and Saturday, December 16th­, both from 1 pm to 5 pm.

The Salem Farmers’ Market and Winter Market are organized by Salem Main Streets, thanks to the support of the City of Salem and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, Creative Salem, and many other local business sponsors and community volunteers.

For further information regarding current vendors and Winter Market updates, refer to the Market’s website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, or contact Kylie Sullivan directly at 978/744-0004 x115.

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Sep 072017
 

Mid 70’s temperature and partly sunny skies; that is the forecast for today’s first Salem Farmers’ Market of September. It is also National Fruit & VeggiesMore Matters Month. What greater incentive to attend could you ask for?

Our Farmers’ Market here in Salem is well known for its diversity of offerings. From fruits to vegetables, from breads to lobsters. Entertainment for the kids. Entertainment for adults. And space reserved for community groups to share a message. No wonder the Salem Farmers’ Market is known as much for its produce as it is the conversations it produces.

For example, it is not that farfetched that someone might ask “What are the top 10 Reasons to eat MORE fruits & veggies?”

And among the answers would be (courtesy of the Fruits & Veggies More Matters org website):

  • Fiber in fruits and veggies keep the digestive system happy and functioning
  • Vitamins & Minerals can be found a plenty in fruits & veggies to help keep the body healthy & energized
  • Calories, can only be detected in low quantities in fruits & vegetables
  • Convenience as fruits & veggies come in many nutritious forms, such as fresh, canned, frozen, dried, etc.

But, of course, we would like you to focus on the best aspect and that is getting the fresh side of availability of fruits and vegetables, direct from a local farm at the Salem Farmers’ Market.

Presented Thursdays through October 12th, the Salem Farmers’ Market takes place in Derby Square from 3-7pm. Will we see you there today?

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Aug 172017
 

Summer is almost over. Fun stuff done. No need to visit Salem until October. Right? WRONG!!! Here are just three things set for the next few days.

Farmers’ Market

Our successfully diverse Farmers’ Market continues its 2017 run (every Thursday now through Oct 12) with a host of regular vendors and a rotating batch as well.

For 8/17/17 come check out:

Cauldron Fermented Foods
Pour Man’s Coffee
1634 Meadery
Bare Cheek Beauty

Who is providing entertainment this week? From 5-7pm, Radio Scotvoid will be spinning vinyl jams. So, bring your dancing shoes. Or just a chair to set a spell and tap your toes!

Also, as an FYI… The Salem Farmers’ Market accepts the SNAP/EBT card. Just head for the Farmers’ Market table, located off Front St, on the Lobster Shanty side, and ask for the Market Manager. Use your SNAP/EBT card to “purchase” $1, $2, and $5 tokens. For more info on this program, go to http://salemfarmersmarket.org/ebt-info/

Salem Farmers’ Market operates Thursdays from 3-7pm in Derby Sq.

End of Summer Blues at PEM/PM

Does the thought of days getting shorter and darker earlier, and temperatures dipping bring out the end of summer blues in you? Put aside your trepidations. The Peabody Essex Museum has a festive alternative. This month’s PEM/PM late night party (also on 8/17/17) from 6-9pm will indeed be a party.

Enjoy local blues bands, lawn games and backyard BBQ food while enjoying a selection of beer. Be a part of the music with instrument making and blue jean art workshops to end the summer with a bash.

All that at a Museum? Yes, if it is the world-famous Peabody Essex Museum, located at East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA. For more info on this month’s PEM/PM event, please call 978-745-9500.

The Salem Flea

Regional and local artisans/vendors will again be on hand from 10am-5pm on Aug. 19  to showcase and sell their work this third Saturday of the month as they have all season (May-September) in historic downtown Salem at Derby Square on Front Street. This area of the city was originally built as a market place and continues to be an important public plaza and pedestrian walkway.

The Salem Flea features a juried selection of vendors of vintage and up-cycled furniture, vintage clothing, collectibles, antiques, architectural salvage as well as a select number of jewelry, art, and handmade goods by local artisans.

Just three events with more than enough activity to keep you busy as the days of summer gently breeze away.

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