Great Barrington — For the past 33 years the town’s Farmers’ Market has been providing a way for residents, farmers, and growers to all connect with one another. The market’s 2023 season started on Saturday, May 13.
While the official location of the market is 18 Church St., the street itself is closed off in order to provide space for vendors and customers. Market Manager Dennis Iodice said that this year’s market has 29 different vendors. “We have an amazing group of farmers, vendors, and community supporters, which are the reasons why the market has endured for so long,” Iodice said. “These people have brought new and unique things to each market.”
Vendors this year include Berkshire Mountain Bakery from Housatonic, Cricket Creek Farm from Williamstown, North Plain Farm from Housatonic, and other farms and vendors from throughout the Berkshire area.
Indian Line Farm owner Elizabeth Keen said she has had a booth at the market since 1997. “I’ve just seen an incredible amount of community support at this market,” Keen said. “This market just seems to have more and more faithful customers come out every year. Over the years, I’ve seen the number of vendors increase. Being here and selling my goods has made me a better grower.”
Keen explained that farmers’ markets, including Great Barrington’s, are important for all communities. “It brings people together,” Keen said. “You don’t have to have a lot of money to shop at a market. It attracts people of all socioeconomic statuses. We are serving a really diverse community.”
Another vendor at this year’s market is No Comply Foods of Great Barrington, who sell their golden milk-based products. “Having a market like this creates a local economy in itself,” No Comply Foods co-owner Stephen Browning said. “It also creates opportunities for local vendors and farmers.”
Sean Stanton, owner of Great Barrington’s North Plain Farm, said that the farm has been a presence at the market for many years. “We were here when it was up at the train station, then at the fairgrounds for a few years before it came up to Church Street,” Stanton said. “The market is important for my business as a revenue stream. But it is also important for the community to come and hang out together. They all support local agriculture and contribute to our efforts, which is all why it’s important to bring people out.”
The market also includes an art market subsection, which includes artist vendors selling paintings, books, wood-made products, crafts, and other items. “The art market is a big draw,” artist market co-manager Molly de St André said. “It really allows a whole bunch of local artists a great venue to sell their work. It makes the Farmers’ Market bigger and much more exciting.”
“We have customers that support their local farmers, but they also support locally made arts and crafts, so it’s a good partnership,” artist marker co-manager Kristen Kanter said. “We will probably have 40 artists rotating throughout the season, so you will find anywhere between 12 to 14 artists each week. We may be a little biased, but it is a wonderful market.”
Iodice added that Berkshire Agriculture Ventures is the market’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefactor this year, and has given the market $32,000 in order to double customer’s SNAP benefits up to $30 per person.
The market is scheduled to be held every Saturday at its Church Street location from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information, visit the market’s website.
