Northampton’s Tuesday Market Winding Down for the Season November 8th
MassLive, October 31, 2016, by Mary Serreze
Tuesday Market will set up one last time November 8 in the downtown plaza behind Thornes Marketplace, and promises to return next spring.
The final day will feature a bevy of Thanksgiving-friendly items such as potatoes, squash, beets, onions, leeks, apples, mushrooms, herbs, beans, ginger, and garlic, said Clem Clay, director of the non-profit Grow Food Northampton.
The weekly seasonal market, which runs every Tuesday from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., bills itself as a place to find “oddball farmers, free-range children, hardworking musicians, and, always, fresh, wholesome, delicious, beautiful food.”
For instance, Old Friends Farm in Amherst offers turmeric honey. “Not only does it have tons of beneficial properties, it tastes great,” said proprietor Missy Bahret. “Warm milk with turmeric honey is a wonderful way to warm up November.”
Other items include maple syrup, small-batch apothecary bitters, cider, ghee, cordials, and preserves. Local grass-fed lamb and beef, eggs and locally-produced cheeses are always available.
Market Manager Niki Lankowski said 2016 was a successful year. “It was a season of happy children, great performances on our stage, and friends reuniting and enjoying our space.”
She said the season marked “a strong and healthy transition under Grow Food Northampton’s umbrella.”
The market was founded in 2008 by farmers Ben James and Oona Coy. They passed the market to the Grow Food Northampton this year. The non-profit owns the 120-acre Crimson & Clover community farm in Florence and manages community garden, education, and food access programs.
Running the market is in keeping with Grow Food’s vision, said Clay.
“We’re committed to building a vibrant local food economy that everyone can participate in. It’s satisfying to know we’ve helped our farmers and vendors bring in nearly half a million dollars in revenue. We’ve also helped low-income customers afford nearly $25,000 in local food by matching SNAP benefits.”
Those who enjoy buying their produce straight from the farmer need not despair. The Northampton Winter Farmers Market starts Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School at 80 Locust Street.
