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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor CHICOPEE The new location of the Chicopee Farmers Market gives it a feature no other farmers market has in the Valley a roof. The market, operated by the Valley Opportunity Council, is located under the Interstate 391 overpass in Willamansett. The overpass creates a roof that will mean the market will be open rain or shine. And on hot days, the shoppers and vendors will have shade as well. Tom Sroka, the market manager, is very happy with the new site and said the official opening of the market will be July 18. The market was open this past week and will also be open July 11. It will be open every Wednesday from noon to 4:30 through August 29. At the initial opening there were vendors with fresh vegetables, eggs, plants, homemade candy and pastries and crafts. The Western Massachusetts Master gardeners were on hand to answer questions and representatives from Western Massachusetts Elder Care were offering nutrition advice. Mike's Hot Dogs can provide shoppers with a quick lunch. Chicopee's own Jersey Hill Farm not only has fresh eggs, but also has bunnies and guinea pigs for pets. Sroka said the number of vendors would grow as the season progresses. There will be more fresh baked goods and vegetables, especially corn, and homemade jams and jellies as well from vendors who've yet to set up. Nicole McKinstry of McKinstry Farms in Chicopee said the initial growing season has been a bit too wet and the hot weather is actually good for crops such as corn. Heat, though, can put an end to the strawberry season, she added. McKinstry expects the first local sweet corn to be available sometime between July 5 and July 8. Corn, she said, loves hot days and cool evenings. |