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Date: 11/28/2022
EASTHAMPTON – While many farmers’ markets shut down as the cold weather moves in, the Easthampton Farmers’ Market stays open.
The Easthampton Winter Farmer’s Market opened on Nov. 13 after its summer market closed in October. The winter market will open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Dec. 18. It will then shift to a bi-weekly market from Jan. 8 to April 2023. You can find the market inside of Eastworks, located at 116 Pleasant St. in Easthampton.
Market Manager Jen Krassler is in her first year running the winter market but says the first week was “very busy” and added that she expects a similar turnout every week. The market features a balance between produce, food and craft vendors to try and appeal to everyone. The market has a variety of greens and root vegetables, mushrooms, and other seasonal produce.
“We have a great selection of vendors, and lots of veggies this year, so I expect a good turnout each week,” Krassler said. “I think winter markets have the potential to be just as busy as a summer market because people are looking for things to do indoors and a farmers’ market is a great winter indoor activity.”
Krassler said the market is a great option for SNAP recipients to make the most of their SNAP dollars through the market’s SNAP match program. Anyone who uses their SNAP card for food at the market will receive $10 dollars to spend on anything at the market each week.
“They can use these market dollars to buy more food or to purchase something that they normally couldn’t afford like soap, plants, jewelry, etc.,” Krassler said. “The market also is one of the first markets to be approved to accept HIP [Healthy Incentive Program] – HIP is a program that allows families to purchase extra fruits and veggies directly from farmers.”
According to Krassler, other benefits of the winter market include giving the community something to look forward to while supporting local businesses. The winter market has a set of anchor vendors that set up shop during the summer market and show up nearly every week, but they also feature rotating vendors to give regular shoppers a new experience.
Krassler said some of the more unique selection includes sweets, holiday pies and hot sauce vendors. She said the market is also inviting local crafters to join which will allow customers to do holiday gift shopping in addition to choosing from the selection of mushrooms, microgreens and other products. All vendors are from Easthampton or surrounding municipalities.
“It’s great to have those regular vendors because customers and vendors get to form relationships and get to know each other personally,” Krassler said. “It makes the market so much more than a shopping experience. Even as the market manager, I feel like I am spending time reuniting with friends every week, and it’s really great.”
The market is seeking volunteers to help with set up and take down during days of operation. To sign up for volunteering, apply to be a vendor or learn more about the market, visit www. Easthamptonmarket.com.
“It is great to have a winter market,” Krassler said. “It gives the community something to look forward to, and it helps keep these smaller vendors and businesses afloat during a season that farmers generally don’t have an awful lot of income coming in.”