NORTHAMPTON -- Northampton's Tuesday Market will open for the season this week at its usual spot between Thornes Marketplace and the E. John Gare Parking Garage.
Market-goers can buy fresh and local produce, cheese, honey, flowers, soaps and other goods from nearly 30 vendors every Tuesday between 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
The farmers market was founded in the fall of 2008 by Ben James and Oona Coy, who also co-own Town Farm, a merchant at the market. James and Coy recently sold the venture to Grow Food Northampton, a nonprofit that focuses on sustainable agriculture and food security.
Despite the change of hands, the market will largely stay the same, according to Grow Food Northampton executive director Clem Clay.
And this year, Tuesday Market will double the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits up to $10 -- up from $5 in 2015 -- thanks to a recent Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) fundraising initiative. This means that if a person with SNAP benefits swipes an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card for $10, they would also receive another $10 in farmers market tokens.
Tuesday Market is scheduled to run weekly until Nov. 8.