Great Barrington — The town’s Farmers’ Market opened for a new season on Saturday, May 11 at its location at 18 Church Street.
According to Farmers’ Market Manager Dennis Iodice, this is the 34th year for the market, with 28 vendors participating this year. “The market has endured for all these years because we have amazing food, we have an arts market next to us, and we have amazing vendors,” Iodice told The Berkshire Edge. “The market has become kind of a third space in Great Barrington. You have your home, you have your work, and you have the Farmers’ Market as a place to be with your community.”
Iodice said that this year the market has several returning and new vendors. “I think over the years we’ve all become like a family,” Iodice said. “We all see and support each other, which is why we’ve been around for so long.”
Indian Line Farm from Great Barrington has taken part in the market for the last 23 years. At the market on May 11, the farm’s vendor booth sold vegetables, produce, and flowers just in time for Mother’s Day. “I love this market because everyone in our local community comes out and shows their true dedication to supporting the local food producers and farmers,” co-owner Elizabeth Keen said. “If we don’t support the local food producers, then we’re all going to be eating from Walmart!”
“I love seeing all of the people who come to this market every week,” said Kristie Laverdiere, owner of Lavender Hills Farm in Canaan, Conn. Laverdiere has been a vendor at the market for the past three years and has sold goat cheese products made at her farm. “It’s fun because you get a lot of visitors in the spring and summer to the Berkshire area,” Laverdiere said. “I’ve met people from all over the country at this market, including people from California and Texas. These farmers’ markets all over New England are important because this is how I, and other farmers, make money. If we didn’t have committed people that came to these markets every week, I wouldn’t be making any money.”
Each week, the Farmers’ Market will also feature an arts market of local artisans selling their wares.
“As artists, we all love being in partnership with the Farmers’ Market,” said Kristen Kanter, co-owner of JK Custom Furniture of Great Barrington. At the May 11 market, Kanter sold some of the company’s wooden housewares, including cheese boards and cutting boards. “Having an artists market here is an amazing way to sell our goods to the community and meet new customers,” Kanter said. “This has always been a great way to spend a Saturday.”
The market is scheduled to be held every Saturday at its Church Street location, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit the market’s website.
