Chicopee Farmers' Market starts its new season under a roof

Date: 7/13/2010

July 14, 2010

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE -- The recent lack of rain and high temperatures have made both a positive and negative impact on local farmers, according to growers at the first Chicopee Farmers' Market of the season.

The market will have its official grand opening on July 21 and Market Manager James Sroka said the shade provided by the Interstate 391 overpass in Willamanset makes this market unique as both the parking and the vendors are protected from both the sun and the rain.

He said that when the market is in full operation there would be more vendors than last year. It is scheduled to be open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 8.

Coupons for senior citizen discounts as well as WIC vouchers are not yet available and Sroka was not sure exactly when they would be released.

Walter Lakota of Summit Farm in Belchertown said, so far, the growing season has been good, "but we better get some rain."

He noted last year the fields were "drowning" with too much rainfall.

Right now, he is harvesting squash, tomatoes and raspberries.

Jonathan Seay of Bembem Farms in Hadley, though, welcomes the hot weather.

"For corn, this is perfect," he said. "This is one of the earliest years we've ever had."

He added that at this time though, rain is necessary.

So far, Jim Wachala's season is going well also. Wachala operates a small apiary in West Springfield. He said last year was "terrible" for honey production, but "this year, it looks pretty good."

Wachala, who has been keeping beehives for 50 years, said he hasn't experienced the bee kills that have been covered in the press. All of his honey is wildflower honey, he added.

"I let the bees go and do their thing," he said.

Besides locally produced produce and honey, the Chicopee Farmers' Market features vendors selling whole grain brad mixes, ice cream, candy, baked goods and jams and jellies.