Returning to the summer scene for the 2009 season, The Lowell Farmer’s Market kicks off Friday July 10th from 2 pm – 6 pm on JFK Plaza. The Market features fresh grown vegetables, fruit, herbs, ornamental plants, fresh cut flowers ,baked goods and cooking demonstrations. Be a locavore and buy local, fresh and healthy. Not only are you supporting the good health of you and your family but also the local economy, community and the environment.
One of the great aspects of the market is the availability of locally grown produce from around the world. The diversity in our community is directly reflected in the culturally diverse produce available in the market. Matt Himmel, Farmer’s Market manager is also the World PEAS (People Enhancing Agricultural Sustainabilty) CSA coordinator at the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project. The mission of New Entry (from its website) is to “assist people with limited resources who have an interest in small-scale commercial agriculture to farm in Massachusetts. The broader goals are to support the vitality and sustainabilityof the region’s agriculture, build long term economic self-reliance and food security among participants and their communities,to build long term economic self-reliance and food security among participants and their communities, and to expand access to high-quality, culturally appropriate foods in underserved areas through production of locally-grown foods.”
Since 1998, New Entry has worked with the immigrant and refugee communities in Lowell and other urban communities to support and encourage an existing strong interest in agriculture by fostering small commercial farming opportunities. Venues like the World PEAS CSA and the Lowell Farmers Market provide a market for the crops grown by these local farmers, which in turn provides an income to the farmer and sustains the agricultural base. New Entry partners with groups such as Community Teamwork Inc and collaborates with the UTEC Fresh Roots program.
Making the weekly trip in for the Farmer’s Market is a win-win for all. An opportunity to buy fresh and locally grown produce which in turn supports the local economy as well as the environment and our agrarian heritage.
Is there any way you can keep the farmers market open later on Fridays or potentially open for a few hours on Saturday? Some people who live in Lowell work far away and with the traffic, can’t get back in time before the vendors start packing up.
Thank you for your interest in the Farmer’s Market. It’s understandable that these hours would not necessarily be convenient for everyone who would like to take advantage of the market, however the open/close times seem to be the standard Farmer’s Market hours for the area. So that’s the bad news. However, the good news is that there are many terrific Farmer’s Markets in the local area, many of which feature the same growers that attend the Lowell market. Check out the http://www.farmfresh.org website where you can find listings for local markets which run 7 days a week including Saturdays mornings.