Thank you to everyone who came out to join us in celebrating National Farmers Market week and our collaboration with the Living Well Health Fair. It was a great day for all!
This Saturday, August 20 from 9am to 1pm, the Wakefield Farmers Market will be full of freshly picked fruits, veggies, locally raised meats, out of this world fish, dairy, and specialty foods you won’t find on any supermarket shelf. As I write this the weather is predicted to be warm, and I don’t want to say the other H word, just in case the forecasters are wrong.
Kayla Russell has returned to college, she’ll be back with her creative Henna designs for all ages, for the 2023 summer season. Balloons by Yarrow and Face painting by Cathy for the kids will be set up under the tree!
We have a big week for special guests, each with important contributions to the community.
Friends of Beebe Library joins us with their famous book giveaway. Look for their tent in a shady market spot. Grab some summer reading, coffee, and tasty treats and head onto the shores of Lake Quannapowitt for a relaxing afternoon.
The Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department joins us with all sorts of energy saving information and to answer questions. We had to install a new water heater, so we got a tankless (installed by sponsor and veteran owned JLB Plumbing & Mechanical). I happened to remember that we were eligible for a rebate and they helped me find what I needed online to apply. Easy peasy and I did it while I got my shopping done!
A huge thank you to the WMGLD for the extra outlets on the park, removing the need for us to put extension cords across the field, producing a chance of tripping.
We’ve got live music from Amy Young scheduled to keep us entertained with her ukulele skills. Special thanks to The Savings Bank for sponsoring our music tent once again this year.
Lasagna Love will be here for their first market visit. They will have coloring pages for the kids, information on Lasagna Love as a resource and volunteer opportunity. Plus they will also be collecting non-perishable ingredients and grocery gift cards.
Wakefield Human Rights Commission is here with information about what they are working on and how you can support them.
Now, here’s what you’ve been waiting for – the official list of week’s vendors!
Produce: All our farms will have plenty of in season produce. Farmer Dave’s will also have fresh mushrooms, from Fat Moon and lots of yummy things from Jane’s Kitchen. It’s corn season at Kelly’s Farm, get the best homegrown corn at the market. Flats Mentor Farm is back with the best asian produce, zucchini blossoms and the best garlic. Flats is a cash only vendor.
Pasture-raised Meats, Poultry, and Eggs: Lilac Hedge Farm will have all you need for locally raised meats, poultry, and eggs. You will taste the difference with your first bite. Check out with local honey, and locally made cheeses for all your charcuterie needs. Stock up for BBQ season. Seafood: Roberto’s Seafood will have plenty of fresh seafood on hand. Captain’s Cut Cod, Haddock, Salmon, shellfish and more. Super fresh and always delicious.
Specialty Foods: Deano's Pasta delicious fresh pasta (cash only vendor), Fork on a Road with meal kits & spices, and Habibi Gourmet Food (Mediterranean fare), the very best authentic Egyptian and Lebanese food. We welcome Barry’s Hot Sauce to the market family this week, see what he’s cooking up to spice up your summer menus. Grateful Tastes joins us on a weekly basis this season, and this week will have peaches, cherries, and peaches, oh my. Clovers Kitchen with dumplings and Japanese specialty foods, try the pork bento box, you won’t be sorry.
Baked Goods & Sweet Treats: Goodies Homemade (the BEST Cookies). Purple Carrot Bread Co.,and The Bread Shop. Secret Stash Sweets will be back selling the best caramels and treats. Drive by Pies is back from vacation and is bringing all your favorites, pre order Key Lime and Chocolate and pick it up at the market!
Beverages: Pour Man’s Coffee is here, with the BEST ice coffee and other beverages, plus the most innovative treats to enjoy at the market. They also sell Fair Trade coffee beans from Dean’s Beans to take home. Try the pickle cookies - seriously, try them!
Creations Coffee in Wakefield, each week bringing us coffees and teas from around the world. Their Hibiscus Tea is amazing.
Please welcome House Bear Brewing to the market, offering up the newest, oldest trend in adult beverages, mead. They are in limited supply of Last Mango In Paris, a sparkling mango mead. It is a 12% ABV brew in a 16.9oz bottle. We recommend pre-ordering this for the market. Pre Order site is:Https://housebearbrewing.square.site
Aaronap Cellars are here with innovative wines for every occasion. Revolution Red is back in stock!
Please note that this season our alcoholic beverage vendors are unable to offer samples. Pet Treats: Emmett’s Edibles, with healthy treats for your canine and feline friends.
Specialty Vendors: Biss Botanicals returns, with a great selection of healthy houseplants. Grab your knives, National Sharpening Company is here to sharpen them.
Artisans: Liza Vaughn Art is back with her gorgeous resin designs 3Dazzle Creations with the coolest 3D art. Ugly Baby Soap Company with all natural soaps and salves. Sarah’s Originals is back from summer vacation and we have missed her! Check out all the new things she’s been creating. Roü-Mi Candle returns with her beautiful candles for every room. Little Happynest returns with sensory play items that will satisfy all ages.
Want to help? Go to the Get Involved/Volunteer page on our website or stop by the Market Manager table to learn how. We are always looking for setup and breakdown help and encourage kids that need volunteer hours to lend a hand. Many hands make a better market for all.
The market offers SNAP/EBT and will again be matching SNAP purchases up to $15 per visit so that everyone can afford to get fresh and healthy foods at our market. We could not provide this SNAP Match or its increase from $10, without the generous sponsorship of The Wakefield Food Pantry. Good news for SNAP folks: HIP is back! Use your EBT card to shop with Farmer Dave’s first, then get your additional SNAP bucks and match at the Market Manager Tent.
The Wakefield Farmers Market runs RAIN OR SHINE (except in dangerous weather, e.g. lightning, hurricane conditions or town emergency). The market opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 1:00 p.m. every Saturday through October 29, 2022. Please visit wakefieldfarmersmarket.org for a current listing of vendors, live music, and special events and to sign up for our email newsletter. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. See you at the Market!