Stockbridge — Summertime in Stockbridge just got a bit healthier. The new Stockbridge Farmers’ Market is set to open July 24, and will run in front of Town Hall every Wednesday, from 3 to 6 p.m., through August 28.
“We are focusing on organic, sustainable agriculture,” Market Manager Stuart Kelso said to the Stockbridge Select Board at its June 20 meeting. To date, the vendors include Abode Farm and Gaetano’s Farm, with both establishments practicing regenerative farming that is focused on maintaining a healthy soil. They are USDA-certified organic retailers.
At the market, Berkshire Mountain Bakery will offer baked goods while Mill Brook Sugarhouse will feature maple syrup products.
“The food is healthy, and the soil they come from is healthy,” Kelso said.
According to Kelso, the Market Match Program will be a substantial savings for low-income shoppers and also give those residents without vehicles a close-in market experience. Additionally, vendors are not charged fees for being a part of the new market, so the endeavor is less risky for local farms and sellers. Kelso is looking for more vendors to join the market that, at this point, is a test. If enough local buyers attend, “it may attract more vendors,” he said.
Although the market will only be available for six weeks, Kelso said he may continue or expand the event next year, assessing several factors including parking.
At the meeting, the Stockbridge Select Board also:
- Appointed Katie Szwyd to the town’s Council on Aging, with Chair Ernest Cardillo recused;
- Approved numerous annual appointments to town boards, committees, and commissions;
- Signed a letter to waive the town’s attorney-client privilege regarding a release of records for the now-disbanded Housatonic Rest of River Municipal Committee as requested by the town of Lee;
- Reclassified the town’s Assessor Clerk position to include additional job responsibilities; and
- Approved a one-day alcohol license for an August 10 wedding in addition to a one-day alcohol-and-entertainment license for the Pan-Mass Challenge to be held September 27 and 28 at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac.
