Valley’s farmers’ markets in full swingDate: 7/9/2015 With the arrival of summer, farmers’ markets are once again bustling with activity as vendors showcase their best locally grown fruits and vegetables, plants and flowers, home-baked breads, relishes, wine, and much more.
On the afternoon of July 2 at the Westfield Farmers’ Market on Court Street, handcrafted wines from the Mount Warner Vineyards in Hadley and home-baked goods from Stony Creek Farm in Montgomery were among the popular selling items, along with Moe’s Donuts and relishes by CalCraft.
Danielle Weaver brought her son, Xavier, 4, to the market for the first time to introduce him to the market concept.
“I want Xavier to learn the difference between a grocery store and a farmers’ market,” she said. “I want him to understand where his food comes from.”
Under sunny skies throughout the afternoon, vendors were eager to discuss their offerings with patrons.
Cindy LaPlante, market manager for Pignatare’s Farm in Westfield, noted “Cindy’s Salsa” is always a popular item each week. The salsa is priced at $5.50 while relishes are $4.50 a jar. Other farm offerings range from chocolate zucchini bread and a host of herbs to a variety of vegetables including kale, green beans, and tomatoes.
Parishioners of the Episcopal Church of the Atonement, the site of the farmers’ market, were selling shortcake topped with strawberries and hinted that on July 9 they may have a homemade chicken biscuit special.
Elaine Montague of Ludlow sat cozily in a chair hand-stitching all occasion greeting cards. Montague visits the market on the first Thursday of each month with her handmade greeting card collection.
Rudy Musterait of Rudy’s Greenhouse on St. Paul Street had plants aplenty to choose from, as well as herbs including basil, garlic scapes and cactus.
A steady stream of customers was also visiting Stony Creek Farm, run by Gabriella Steria of Montgomery. Her tent was brimming with dilled carrots, corn salad, pickled jalapeno peppers, mint jelly, goat cheese and a variety of breads, as well as her popular pickles priced at $6 for pints and $11 for quarts.
Bobbie Kamen, proprietor with her husband Gary of Mount Warner Vineyards of Hadley, conducted mini wine tastings to showcase their varieties, which ranged from Chardonel, Cayuga White, Traminette and Hampshire White, to Raspberry Rhapsody, Sunset Red and Secret. Kamen noted their “hand-crafted wines are from hand-tended vines.”
One of the most enthusiastic vendors was Raymond Lariviere of CalCraft of Westfield with his signature “Zucchini Relish.” Lariviere noted that sales on July 2 were “the best” so far this market season. He added that his certified kitchen produces a variety of products including “Cal’s Dilly Beans” which area residents keep returning each week to purchase. Lariviere’s relishes are priced at $6.50 a jar.
Garlic scapes, priced at five for $1, were also popular sale items and Lariviere offers a recipe sheet for inventive ways to use them.
“One way to use scapes is to chop them ½-inch long, sauté in butter for two to three minutes until they are bright green, and then add to simmering soup about 20 minutes before serving,” he said.
In addition to tents, Maureen Weiner of Moe’s Donuts of Agawam offers a “Lonely Donut Special” which includes coffee and a cake doughnut, as well as their best sellers – Sugar Raised Doughnuts at $1.50 each or six for $7, or their Apple Cider Doughnuts at $1 each or six for $5.
Ed and Angelika Stallmann, owners of Eddie & Angie’s Food Engine of Westfield, were also on-site offering a variety of sandwiches including turkey melts and Italian combo grinders, as well as soups.
Dan Mahoney of Westfield, a chef by trade, is now working with some friends on their new business venture, Nor’easter Organic Life, based in Southwick. From the seeds they planted during the winter now abound zucchini, peppers, snap peas, lettuce and radishes to name just a few for sale.
Sally and Tom Wheeler of Windycrest Farm in Granville were also vendors showcasing their handcrafted goat milk soap at $6 each or five for $24. Soap varieties range from jasmine, peaches and cream, vanilla almond, and oatmeal/vanilla almond to this month’s special, “Almost Heaven.”
“Almost Heaven is like baby powder,” said Sally Wheeler.
In the coming weeks, vendors will also include Trotwood Acres Farm in Westfield, selling fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens in season; the West Parish Orchards in Westfield, offering apples, peaches and seasonal fruit; Tom’s Kettle Corn and Honey of Ludlow, selling kettle corn, local honey, and farm fresh eggs; Pioneer Valley Vinegar of Hatfield, offering herbal-infused vinegars using locally sourced ingredients, and Yang Farm of South Hadley, offering cut flowers, cilantro, green onions, red and white radishes, green beans and snow peas.
The Westfield Farmers’ Market, in conjunction with a grant from Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), now offers SNAP customers spending $5 on fresh produce, vegetables and food, with an additional $5 credit toward the purchase of more market items. The market is also WIC and SFMNP certified.
For more information on the market, which runs on Thursdays from 12:30 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 8, call 562-5461, ext. 101, email farmersmarket@atonementwestfield.net, or visit www.westfieldfarmersmarket.net. Vendors are welcome to participate on a weekly, monthly, or one-time basis using a sliding scale for payment.
Farmers’ markets across the valley also include:
• Chicopee: off Chicopee Street, under I-391 overpass, Wednesdays through Sept. 2, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Holyoke: High Street in front of City Hall, Thursdays through Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Longmeadow: Longmeadow Shops, 666 Bliss Road, Thursdays through Oct. 29, from 2 to 7 p.m.
• Monson: First Church parking lot, 5 High St., Thursdays through Oct. 1, from 3 to 6 p.m.
• South Hadley: Town Common, Thursdays through Oct. 8, from 1 to 6 p.m.
• Springfield/Forest Park: Forest Park, Cyr Arena parking lot, Tuesdays through Oct. 27, from 12:30 to 6 p.m.
• Springfield/Mason Square: Baystate Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center, 11 Wilbraham Road, Saturdays through Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Ware: CVS at 104 West St., Saturdays through Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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