Farmers Markets Are Back!

MassDOT's annual Farmer’s Market Program returns this weekend and continues through fall 2010. 

Local Farmers are invited to take advantage of free vending space at the state’s eighteen highway service plazas to sell their home-grown produce and made-in-Massachusetts products.

The first weekend schedule is as follows:

East & West Charlton, I-90: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, May 21-23, 9am-4pm

Framingham, I-90, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, May 21-23, 9am-4pm

The Farmers Market program has been a popular customer service for the last ten years on the 11 Massachusetts Turnpike service plazas and this year MassDOT will expand the Farmers Market program to include all 18 service plazas on state highways.

Farmers can sell their goods as long as they do not compete with the businesses that operate within the service plazas.  Local farmers or customers who want more information are asked to contact program coordinator Dave Fenton at dave.fenton@state.ma.us or 413‑572‑3171.

Comments

[Tony]

Mass DOT does not open thier markets to Artisan's who make products from Massachusetts grown and raised farms.

I grow and harvest my natural vines from my Massachusetts Farm and I am not able to participate in the Massachusetts Dept or Transportation Farmers Markets....

I have a wonderful web site..

www.bittersweetandsomethingneat.com

I hand craft over 60 items.. and my products sell for $75.00 to $150.00 to $500.00

I suppose if I were to be descriminated upon... I would rather have Mass DOT to not allow me...

Yippie" on helping the local economy...

Tony

Mr. Dave Fenton at dave.fenton@state.ma.us or 413‑572‑3171 told me that he will notify me if they someday let my products into his farmers markets in the future...
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Thank you, Tony. Yes, Dave did speak with you and note that MassDOT's Farmer's Markets are currently produce markets aimed at fruits and vegetables. We will keep you in mind if it expands to arts & crafts.

[Rebecca Jackson]

Have these stopped for the year?
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Farmers Markets along I-90 have continued into the fall at a few locations, most notably Charlton Plaza East and West. Check MassDOT on Twitter.com for weekly updates.

[kim]

I am looking for times open to use farmers market coupons that my grandmother recieved, she was hospitalized for a little while. I want to help by finding a stand open and that will accept the coupons..Please help me.
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The I-90 Farmers Markets are not involved in a coupon program, please contact the Dept. of Agriculture for information.

[Jennifer]

How do you become a vendor at the Farmer's Market?
=============================================We will put your in direct contact with the organizers, thanks.

[penny]

We will be visiting Boston Oct. 7-14 and I love to go to Farmers Markets. What will be running during those dates?
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Locations change weekly and are not confirmed weeks in advance, though on I-90 markets are exclusively weekends, Friday-Sunday or Saturday-Sunday. We post those locations by Wednesday of each week, www.twitter.com/massdot

[Pat Hanney]

I need date and time for markets in lowell/dracut area.
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All MassDOT related Farmers Markets, this week, below:

Farmer's Market Schedule:

Lee East on Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday from 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM.

Charlton West on Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday 9 AM - 4 PM.

Charlton East on Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday from 9 AM - 4 PM.

Framingham on Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday from 10 AM - 4 PM.

[Judy]

I love that there is a Farmers Market at the Lee rest stop on the Pike . I've been traveling between MA and NYS this summer. What a treat. I hope this continues through the fall
Thanks