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East Boston
Farmers Market Kicks Off 2011 Season
East Boston, MA, July 11, 2011—The East Boston
Farmers Market, sponsored by the East Boston Neighborhood Health
Center (EBNHC), celebrated its 2011 season opener Thursday July 7,
2011, in Central Square, East Boston.
Market-goers enjoyed a wide array of fruits,
vegetables, and herbs from Massachusetts farms, as well as
fresh-baked artisanal bread.
Located in East Boston’s Central Square, the market runs every
Thursday afternoon from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. until October 20. The
market was launched in 2008 by the Let’s Get Movin’ program at EBNHC
as a community-based initiative to increase access to fresh healthy
food in East Boston. This year’s market features produce from four
local farms, and East Boston’s own 303 Café offers
straight-from-the-oven whole-wheat bread in four different
varieties.
East Boston Farmers Market Manager Eleanor Chandler was pleased with
the market’s 2011 debut. “[Thursday] was a fantastic day at the
Farmers Market,” said Chandler. “The sun was shining, the veggies
were crisp, the berries sweet and juicy, and the bread was still
warm upon arrival. I was so happy to see all the beautiful displays,
as well as all of the famers and shoppers I’d missed all winter. I
especially enjoyed seeing dozens of face-painted children engaged in
an epic hula-hoop competition with the Vegetable Circus.”
All products at the market are grown or produced in Massachusetts;
market vendors bring products that reflect the diversity of the East
Boston community. In addition to traditional seasonal New England
produce such as lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, corn, and,
strawberries, there are also products popular with the Central and
South American community, such as chipilín, cilantro, yierba mora,
amaranth, and cranberry beans (cargamantos).
Alison Smizer, Community Outreach Coordinator at EBNHC, has been
involved with the market since 2008 and has seen the market
transform into a vibrant gathering place over the years. “The market
has truly become a community hub,” said Smizer. “In addition to
delicious food, we offer free activities for children, such as face
painting and a coloring contest, as well as nutrition education,
healthy recipe sampling, physical activities, and musical
entertainment.”
The Farmers Market accepts cash as well as SNAP/EBT and WIC. SNAP
participants receive 50% off purchases up to $20 thanks to the
Boston Bounty Bucks program, sponsored by the Food Project and the
City of Boston. The market also accepts FMNP Senior Coupons.
The Farmers Market will partner with the East Boston WIC office for
a one-day-only Farmers Market check distribution event at the July
14 Farmers Market. On that day, WIC participants can pick up Farmers
Market checks from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the WIC office. Guided
tours from the WIC office to the Farmers Market will be conducted
from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
The July 14 Farmers Market will also feature the Vegetable Circus, a
program that uses circus skills to teach children about healthy
living and eating. In addition, the UMass Extension Program will
distribute tasty samples of their “Cool Summer Salsa” recipe. Come
join us for fun and tasty times!
More information about the East Boston Farmers Market, as well as an
updated listing of upcoming events, can be found on the health
center’s website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
CONTACT:
Eleanor Chandler
Market Manager
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
chandlee@ebnhc.org
617-568-4028
Source:
EBNHC. |
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