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Date: 5/19/2021
WILBRAHAM – Farmers markets are a staple of summer in New England and offer fresh produce from area farmers. In Wilbraham, what was a small market of fewer than a half dozen farmers is set to expand into a weekly bazaar of local food, crafts and more.
Cheryl P., the market organizer who asked Reminder Publishing to not use her full name, said that she had been participating in Wilbraham Grown, a small market with four to six vendors for the past few years. When the manager of the market decided to step down this year. Rather than let the market end, she said, “I decided to take over and revitalize the market.”
Under its new name, The Main Street Farmers Market will offer products from 20 different vendors, including organic veggies and microgreens, organic bagged coffee and cold brew, chocolate, cupcakes, pies, jam, craft hard cider, gourmet popcorn and fresh lemonade. A rotating line-up of food trucks will visit the market.
There will also be vendors selling non-food products, such as live edge/epoxy wood creations, home décor and repurposed furniture, and handcrafted baby items, bar soaps and blacksmith works.
“Our mission is to promote local agriculture and provide access to healthy food grown and produced locally,” said Cheryl. “The market is also dedicated to offering the community a place to find unique items that support small businesses, crafters, and artisans.” Every vendor featured will be from Wilbraham or one of the immediate surrounding communities, she said.
The work that has gone into putting the market together has been “tremendous,” Cheryl said, and includes coordination with the town and the Wilbraham United Church, where the market will take place. “We had to review applications, select vendors, organize food trucks/vendors, create a layout of the market, manage vendors, and so forth,” she said.
While the market isn’t sponsored by any companies, New England Public Media (NEPM) is creating the custom reusable market bags that will be on sale at the market. “They’re a great local business here in town,” she said of the news and entertainment outfit.
The Main Street Farmers Market will be at 500 Main St., on Thursdays, June 3 to Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Because the market is at the church, participants can park along Main Street or at the rear of the building. A full list of vendors can be found at https://www.facebook.com/WilbrahamFarmersMarket.