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Date: 8/29/2022
SOUTH HADLEY – The South Hadley Farmers’ Market announced via its new Facebook page that it would return in the spring of 2023 under new management and at a new location at Buttery Park in South Hadley.
Jen Krassler, the new market manager, told Reminder Publishing that she had previously managed the market five years ago and currently runs the Easthampton Farmers’ Market along with her own farm in South Hadley.
The former nonprofit that had been running the South Hadley Farmers’ market disbanded in 2018, so, wanting to get the market started back up, Krassler reached out to some people in town and everyone seemed excited about it, she said.
After meeting with the Parks and Recreations and Health Departments, they decided to relocate to Buttery Brook Park. For the move, they factored in the lack of parking at the previous location in the center of town that made it difficult for residents like the elderly to get to, and decided parking at the Buttery Brook location would make it easier for vendors and customers to access since it would be next to the market. Other added bonuses of this location are its several amenities including a waterpark, playground and pavilion.
To get the market up and running by spring, they plan to launch a GoFundMe page come November to raise funds to purchase essential items such as tents, tables, chairs and insurance, along with other needed items. They are also hoping to raise enough money for the first year to be able to do a SNAP match program that would add an extra $10 to shoppers’ pockets. Krassler shared, “I would love to be able to raise enough money to have extra to start that program. I would love to do the SNAP match so that people can come to the market and get a lot of extra stuff that they normally wouldn’t be able to.”
Currently, the application to accept SNAP is pending, and they are also looking into enrolling in the HIP benefits program when slots open again next year. In the meantime, they are actively searching for vendors that accept SNAP and HIP benefits and are also seeking sponsorships from local businesses. More information on that process will also be available closer to November.
As planning continues, Krassler said, her goal is to listen to community input and improve from previous years.
For all updated information, including dates and times the market will be open, please visit the South Hadley Farmers’ market’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083435843850.