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Date: 6/5/2023
EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Farmers’ Market officially reopened its doors for the season on May 21. The market runs every Sunday from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. until Oct. 8.
Every week, 500 to 700 people gather at the Easthampton Farmers’ Market to buy fresh produce from various farms, hot bites from food trucks and other goodies from local vendors. The market has been steadily growing each year, according to Jennifer Krassler, market organizer and manager.
“This year, most weeks we’ll have two food trucks, which is new,” said Krassler. “Last year we were only doing one every week, but it seemed like we had the need for two. We have some new farms — Grown-Up Farm is new this year, Love Leaf Farm does micro-greens and they’re new this year [and] Sage Meadow Farm, who normally does goat’s milk soaps, will have goat’s milk cheese available this year, which is brand new and very exciting because we don’t really have a lot of cheese available at the market, so people have been asking about that.”
Additionally joining the farmers’ market this year is Monsoon Roastery, which will make coffee readily available once a month.
“We also have a new vendor we’re really excited about,” said Krassler. “They’re called The Gourmet Pig and they’ll be doing candied bacon. They applied and I was like ‘yes!’ immediately.”
One of Krassler’s personal market favorites includes Galactic Hobo Hot Sauce, which is small-batch and homemade. The vendor brings three different hot sauces each week.
“It goes good on anything,” said Krassler. “I put it on everything. I have to stock up every time. I spend all my money there. It’s definitely worth it. The other [vendor] that I really really love is Wicked Whisk Plant-Based Creations. She makes, from scratch, pop-tarts, donuts, pastries and my go-to when she’s at the market — I always always always get her plant-based burrito. They’re so good.”
Last year, according to Krassler, there was a “scary lack of farms.” But from the loyalty of Easthampton customers and their dedication to the market, some farms have grown this year.
Krassler said even her own farm, Flora and Fauna, has expanded because of the farmers market. This year, they’re able to sell their new tea blends.
“We grow the majority of the stuff at our farm in South Hadley,” said Krassler. “We do tea and native edible plants. So things like hazelnuts, elderberries, just interesting stuff you wouldn’t normally find at a farmers market. I’m excited about this year because we’re able to bring a little more to the market. And it’s really awesome watching all of these farms grow because of the customers in Easthampton.”
Krassler described the culture of Easthampton Farmers’ Market as helpful, friendly, and outgoing.
“Every vendor… is so proud of their products,” said Krassler. “Every single vendor we have this year is like an incredible human being. I’m just so happy to have that and go to the market every week. It’s just so fun. We are all a big team. If somebody sees that another vendor needs help packing up or putting up their tent, or anything! We’re just like a well-oiled machine and I totally appreciate the heck out of all of them.”
The market doesn’t run without a little additional help. With a total of four volunteers, there’s someone to help mark spots in the morning, help take down market tents after closing and do anything else in between to keep the market running.
“We have an incredible group of volunteers who pretty much cover everything extra that we need [to be] done, and they are so awesome,” said Krassler.
Despite Krassler’s favorites from the market being Galactic Hobo Hot Sauce and plant-based burritos, her number one favorite part is seeing the faces of her loyal Easthampton customers.
“Easthampton has some of the best customers that I’ve ever seen at a farmer’s market,” said Krassler. “They’re super friendly, they’re loyal, they come back and it’s almost like seeing friends again. You see the same faces over and over again and it’s so nice to see them. You know them by name, and they really really get to know the farmers and the farmers really get to know the customers and it’s really such a wonderful thing. I love it. It’s very personable; so much more personable than going to the grocery store.”
The market was able to raise money at the beginning of the year through sponsorships to proudly accept the federally-funded SNAP and state-funded Healthy Incentives Program on behalf of all vendors. All SNAP recipients can receive a “SNAP match” for up to $10 each week to use toward anything at the market until funds run out.
People can find out about future events by signing up for the Easthampton Farmers’ Market newsletter or following them on Instagram or Facebook, where Krassler posts almost daily.