Maureen Weiner, owner of Moe’s Donuts, chats with Jenny Doser, owner of Relax. Rinse. Repeat, before the opening bell at noon on a Thursday at the Westfield Farmers Market. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS PHOTO)
WESTFIELD-Organizers for the Westfield Farmers’ Market are hopeful that this spring will bring a new crop of agricultural vendors to sell their wares.
“Our mission is to support local agriculture and to provide healthy, locally grown food to people in our area,” said Deborah Randzio, market manager.
Since Randzio recently learned that four long-time vendors will not be returning this year due to retirement plans and other commitments, she and her market committee members are aggressively seeking out area farms who could benefit from the weekly exposure.
“We are launching a program to increase support of the market by local businesses who might be interested in helping us further our mission to support local agriculture and to provide healthy, locally grown food to our neighbors in Westfield and the surrounding communities,” said Randzio.
The Westfield Farmers’ Market will begin its new season on May 28 and run through Oct. 8 on the front lawn of the Episcopal Church of the Atonement at 36 Court St. The market is conducted on Thursday afternoons, rain or shine.
The market committee has voted to increase the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) match to $10 the last week of each month as a response to cutbacks to the SNAP program being made by the present administration, according to Randzio.
“The $5 match we have been giving for the last two seasons has been funded by a private anonymous donor, and we wanted to increase the level of funding, but have to do it from our own resources until we find other funding,” said Randzio. “The increased match is a leap of faith on our part, hoping that we find the funding to continue to feed people in need of nutritional assistance.”
Committee members are seeking to expand the market to add a larger number of farms and variety of vendors, and is now accepting applications for the upcoming season.
“Subject to Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources regulations governing all farmers’ markets in the Commonwealth, the Westfield Farmers’ Market will accept locally grown produce and items made from local agricultural products, and will continue to be a certified participant in the Massachusetts Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program,” said Randzio.
Randzio added that having the certification allows the market committee to accept SNAP payments.
“Customers may run their SNAP cards at the market tents like a credit card, and receive wooden tokens which can be used to purchase SNAP-eligible foods from any vendor,” she said.
Vendor fees are structured according to the level and frequency of participation. For rules, regulations and applications, visit www.westfieldfarmersmarket.net.
“We are also pleased to announce we are again the recipients of a grant from the Westfield Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support live musical performances at the market each week,” said Randzio, adding that musicians are encouraged to apply by completing an application.
Randzio said the “cooperative spirit” of the market volunteers is a plus for vendors.
“At no other market do vendors receive the amount of volunteer support that they do in Westfield,” said Randzio. “No other market has the cooperative spirit that Westfield does; the vendors are friendly and help each other out. They are not there to compete with one another, but to help each other succeed.”
Among the vendors returning this year include Relax, Rinse, Repeat with all-natural skin care products; MayVal Farm with beef, cheese curds, milk and skyr; Fortini Gelato; Cal Craft Relishes, and woodcrafter Mike Koivisto.
New applicants include Sage Meadow Farm of Easthampton, a goat farm that will be participating on alternate weeks, and Firefly Fields from Southwick, both selling goat milk soap. Also, Sweet Morning Farm from Leyden will be selling organically grown fruit, vegetables and flowers, and organically fed pork and chicken, and grass-fed beef.
Randzio said the market atmosphere is always positive, friendly and welcoming to all people.
“Our policy is – all are welcome – all the time,” said Randzio. “We welcome all abilities and disabilities, all gender identities, all immigrants and refugees, all nations of origin, all races and ethnicities, all religions and creeds, all sexual orientations.”
