As farmers market season returns to the Monadnock region, longtime markets are expanding, new partnerships are taking root and organizers say community support is driving renewed momentum from Peterborough to Rindge.
Mason and New Ipswich
The Mason Village Market and the New Ipswich Farmers’ Market are fully launching a partnership that began at the end of last summer.
The Mason Village Market, after nearly being discontinued last year, was revived in a new location, holding a monthly market at the Mason Hollow Nursery. It will continue this year at that same location, but will be bigger and better than ever.
Organizer Martin Garay McClean said that last year, about halfway through the season, the New Ipswich Farmers’ Market, instead of holding its market in its usual location, would join the Mason market during its monthly event. He said that tradition will continue this year, starting from Mason’s first market.
There is no fee for vendors for this market. McClean said the goal is mainly to provide a community gathering space and to help small producers.
“Our mission is to bring the community together,” McClean said. “Last year, at the beginning of the season, we weren’t even sure the market was going to happen. That’s how this was born, in this new location — it’s all about community spirit and getting the town together one Saturday a month to have good family time and foster that community environment.”
Jaffrey
The Jaffrey Farmers Market is under new management this year. With the dissolution of TEAM Jaffrey, which organized the market, the Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce has contracted to run both the market and the Concerts on the Common series.
Chamber member Sharon Tieger said that the goal for the Chamber is to keep the market running business as usual — the market will continue at its usual day and time, Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., in its usual location on the Jaffrey Public Library lawn.
Vendors can pay a fee for the entire season, for four weeks, or on a drop-in basis to participate.
Tieger said the Chamber will continue to seek new vendors, including increasing produce suppliers. The market plans to open for its first day on May 29.
The Rindge Farmers and Crafters Market is also expecting to see a boom year, after gaining momentum last year under new management, and moving the market from Thursday to Saturday.
Organizer Michael LiPetri, who took over the market last year when previous organizers John McCracken and Kim McCummings stepped down, said last year’s market started with just a handful of vendors, but steadily grew throughout the summer, ending with about 20 stalls. He said sign-ups this year look to double that number of vendors.
“We’re going to have a lot more vendors,” said LiPetri. He said the market is also growing in produce and meat vendors, which is something customers have been seeking. There will be several local farms with stands at the Rindge market this year.
“It took a year of holding on and getting the word out there, and it’s started to snowball, and that’s what we were hoping for,” said LiPetri.
He said the Rindge market will continue with some of the changes vendors reacted positively to last year — the market will continue on its new day of Saturday, parking will still be available at the adjacent ATA Construction, and there will be no vendor fees.
Peterborough
The summer session of the Peterborough Farmer’s Market is open Wednesdays, April to October, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the parking lot across from the Peterborough Community Center on Elm Street, in front of Bowling Acres.
“We are a food, health, and nutrition-based market; we’re truly a farmers’ market,” said organizer Conrad Dumas.
The Peterborough Farmers’ Market includes local organic produce vendors, two fish vendors, local beef and lamb, goat cheese, baked goods, mushrooms, and locally made health and beauty products, among many other offerings.
According to Dumas, Fassett Farm Nursery of Jaffrey will join the Peterborough Farmers’ Market this year with locally grown native and perennial plants.
The market has also expanded its music offering, with different artists every week.
“Sometimes people bring chairs and just sit and listen to the music. It has been very popular,” Dumas said.
The Elm Street bridge, which is currently closed for construction, will reopen at the end of June. The market is easily accessible from Route 101 and has plenty of parking.
For more information about the Peterborough Farmers’ Market, go to facebook.com/PeterboroughNHFarmersMarket.
Francestown
The Francestown Community Market is in a new location this year and will run every other Saturday starting May 23. The market, which was formerly located at the horse sheds at the Francestown Town Hall, is moving to the Francestown Recreation Department ball fields on Old County Road. Parking is available by the ball field and tennis courts on Old County Road or at the lot on Greenfield Road (Route 136).
The Francestown Community Market includes locally grown produce, home-baked goods, arts and crafts, homemade jams and jellies, and gift items. Vendors who wish to participate should email francestownmarket@gmail.com or find the market on Facebook.
Greenfield
The Greenfield Farmers, Crafters and Flea Market at Oak Park will open for the season on Sunday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors include local produce, honey, plants, cider, baked goods, artisanal products, and more. The event includes a weekly farmers’ market and a flea market.
“The Greenfield Farmers, Crafters and Flea market is going to be a fun, family-friendly weekly event with live music and a great variety of vendors to suit shoppers of all ages and interests,” said organizer Cassidy Levada.
Flea market vendor fees are $10 a table, and Greenfield residents may set up for free. All fees benefit the Oak Park committee and renovations to Oak Park.
Local Farmers Markets
Francestown: Francestown Community Market. Alternate Saturdays beginning May 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Francestown Recreation Fields, Old County Road.
Greenfield: Greenfield Farmers, Crafters and Flea Market. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oak Park, Forest Road. Opens May 17.
Hancock: Hancock Farmers & Artisans Market. Thursdays, 4 to 7 p.m. Opens June 25 and runs through Aug. 13. hancockfarmers.com.
Jaffrey: Jaffrey Farmers Market. Fridays, 3 to 6 p.m. Opens May 29. Jaffrey Public Library lawn.
Mason: Mason Village Market. June 27, July 18, Aug. 22 and Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mason Hollow Nursery. Vendor information: martin.garay@gmail.com.
New Ipswich: New Ipswich Farmers & Crafters Market. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, May 16 through Sept. 26. New Ipswich Town Office parking lot. The market will join the Mason Village Market on June 27, July 18, Aug. 22 and Sept. 19. Vendor information: newipswichfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
Peterborough: Peterborough Farmers Market. Wednesdays, 3 to 5 p.m. 32 Elm St. (Bowling Acres parking lot).
Rindge: Rindge Farmers and Crafters Market. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 9 through October. Route 202 at West Rindge Common Park. Vendor information: info@RindgeFarmersMarket.com or the Rindge Farmers and Crafters Market Facebook page.
Wilton: Wilton Farmers Market. Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 3 through Oct. 28. Wilton Town Green. Vendor applications: wiltonchamber.com.
