Central MA. Businesses To Sell Locally Produced Goods at Boston Public Market

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Wednesday, April 08, 2015

GoLocalWorcester Business Team

Central Massachusetts businesses are among the first vendors to be featured at the new Boston Public Market. Opening in July, the Market will sell locally-produced foods and goods from the New England region. The 28,000-square-foot complex will be open year-round, and it is located above the Haymarket MBTA station on the Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.

"The Boston Public Market will showcase the best of what Boston's local economy has to offer," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "These vendors represent the small businesses that fuel our economy, and will serve as a tremendous resource for our residents and visitors in downtown Boston."

Among the announced vendors are Stillman's Farm in New Braintree, Lilac Hedge Farm in Berlin, and Stillman Quality Meats in Hardwick. More vendors are expected to be added in upcoming months. 

“It is conceivably the opportunity of a lifetime for vendors, residents and restauranteurs,” said Glenn Stillman, owner of Stillman’s Farm in New Braintree. “The real opportunity is for the people of the city and the state to come together in a social way.”

“We’re excited to bring our own fresh and frozen meats as well as partner with a few of the finest livestock farms and kitchens in Massachusetts to bring ready-to-eat prepared meals using locally-grown meat to the Boston Public Market,” said Ryan MacKay, co-owner of Lilac Hedge Farm in Berlin.

“After almost twenty years of planning, we are extremely excited to bring the vision of the Boston Public Market to life,” said Kate Stillman, owner of Stillman Quality Meats. “Our farm is eager to bring our fresh meats and poultry products direct to Boston consumers and we look forward to creating a dynamic and robust marketplace that champions local food and connects consumers direct to Massachusetts farms.”

Combined, all of the businesses will make the Market "the only locally-sourced market of its kind in the United States." This singularity is meant to encourage Massachusetts in further expanding its farmland, a goal that becomes especially important as the rest of the country is in agricultural decline. Massachusetts, in contrast, has almost doubled its participation in community supported agriculture (CSA), as well as increased its agri-tourism sales by an astonishing 127%. 

“A year round public market, like BPM, that features farm fresh Massachusetts products will not only strengthen our growing agricultural economy, it will also garner additional consumer demand for nutritious, locally grown and produced food,” said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux. “Massachusetts is already a leader in direct market sales, ranked 5th in the U.S. Our farmers and food producers not only provide us with the best possible products all year round, they also preserve over 523,000 acres of open space, employee 28,000 workers and generate $492 million dollars for the Massachusetts economy.”

Vendors have taken advantage of training that will help them succeed in their new market. Among the programs offered was Interise's award-winning Streetwise 'MBTA' ™ program, which gives advice on how to grow jobs and increase revenue. Crop Circle Kitchen's Pearl Food Production Small Business Center also provided assistance, giving vendors a chance to acquire hands-on food production training.

“Our goal is to connect all residents of Boston with the best New England has to offer, and our vendors are at the heart of what we do,” said Elizabeth Morningstar, CEO of the Boston Public Market. “These small businesses and food entrepreneurs have incredible experience growing and producing locally, and the multitude of flavors, colors, and stories they bring to the market is simply astounding.”

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