WESTFIELD – Patrons to the Westfield Farmers’ Market this season can expect to hear music while they wind their way through the more than 30 vendors expected to sell their wares.
“The big news for 2016 is that our grant application has been accepted by the Westfield Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council to provide funding for ‘Music at the Market,'” said Deb Randzio, market manager.
The farmers’ market will officially open on June 2 and run through Oct. 6 on Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m. on the front lawn of the Episcopal Church of the Atonement on Court Street.
“Last year we found that the musicians were a big attraction and people sometimes came to the market specifically to hear the music,” said Randzio. “The musicians played for handouts, relying on the generosity of our vendors and customers for donations.”
This year, Randzio said she will be able to pay musicians a “fair wage” for their work.
“In turn, the musicians will provide a great atmosphere each week for customers to relax and enjoy their time at the market,” she said.
Randzio noted that a volunteer music coordinator will be charged with scheduling all of the musicians and dates and times will be posted on the market’s Facebook page.
In the coming weeks, Randzio will also be seeking volunteers for a rotating schedule to host the market. Volunteers will be trained in mid-May on how to answer questions and direct customers according to their requests.
“We will also need teams of volunteers to help out before the market opens each week and when it closes,” she said. “These volunteers put out parking and curbside signs and assists the vendors with setting up their tents, tables, and carrying goods and produce from cars to the booths.”
Rules, regulations and applications are now available to download from www.westfieldfarmersmarket.net, or by contacting Randzio via email at [email protected].
“We are especially looking to broaden our product diversity,” said Randzio.
Several businesses who have already signed up to return this season include Mount Warner Vineyards of Hadley, Ellie’s Oils of Northampton, and the West Parish Orchard from Granville.
There is a discounted registration for those who reply before May 1, according to Randzio.
Randzio also announced that two new vendors have already signed up for the season – MayVal Farm from Westhampton, selling pasteurized white and chocolate milk, skyr, fresh and aged cheese curds, maple syrup and cream, and the Boomsma Family Farm from Blandford, selling forested pork, free-range chicken and eggs, wood-fired maple syrup, organic dog biscuits, seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs, plants, cut flowers, pottery and knitted gifts.
To addition to vendors, Randzio will be working with Lynn Bannon, volunteer administrator, Non Profit and Volunteer Network of Greater Westfield, to offer space for nonprofit organizations to network with area residents and recruit members.
“We are encouraging exhibitors to provide hands-on activities for children and families to attract people to their tables, said Randzio. “There is only a minimal charge for the nonprofits that wish to sell merchandise as a fundraiser.”
Randzio noted that representatives from the Westfield Athenaeum and Stanley Park will be featured at the first farmers market of the season.
“We are also continuing to offer the $5 supplement to SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) customers at the market, stretching their food dollars each week,” she said, adding that the grant is administered by CISA (Communities Involved in Sustaining Agriculture).
“This year we are working with CISA to offer a loyalty reward for customers returning to the market regularly,” she said. “CISA is also working to raise money to increase the weekly SNAP supplement from $5 to $10 this year.”
Randzio encourages area residents to stop in each Thursday during the season to support local agricultural vendors.
“Farming has long been a staple of the western Massachusetts economy and farmers are struggling to keep their farms and to maintain businesses that have been in their families for generations in some cases,” said Randzio. “The landscape of western Massachusetts is changing as farms are sold into development. A simple economic principal is that if we want our farmers to succeed, we must patronize their businesses and purchase their goods.”
As the market continues to grow, patrons can expect to also find home baked breads and goods, local honey, maple syrup, potted plants, relishes, wood crafts, and much more.
“Patrons can buy locally produced, fresh food and food products at reasonable prices, providing nutritious food for their families,” said Randzio. “Much of the food offered at the market, although not officially certified as organic, is produced with the same methods as organic producers, without antibiotics or use of genetically modified species.”
Randzio added that supporting the farmers’ market also boosts the economy of the city.
“In passing through town to reach the market, people become aware of the many other businesses and offerings provided by the city,” she said. “This is one of the very few markets west of the Connecticut River in this part of the state.”
As Randzio gears up for the new season, she is enthusiastic about the continued growth and support by local vendors and patrons at the farmers’ market.
“Our vendors tell us they like our market because of the warm and friendly atmosphere, the support they receive from our market staff, the central location right near Park Square, and the availability and accessibility of free parking,” said Randzio. “For patrons, very simply, it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon, meeting friends, being part of a community, listening to music, and maybe even dancing if they are so inspired,” she said.
