NEW: Grand Opening for Community Farmers’ Market

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Friday, June 29, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Health Team

The grand opening for the Regional Environmental Council’s fifth annual Community Farmers’ Market is Saturday. The market will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the YMCA Family Park, 104 Murray Ave.

Congressman James McGovern and Worcester Mayor Joe Petty will be among the special guests.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Worcester community for the REC’s Saturday farmers’ market grand opening,” said McGovern. “Bringing locally grown, nutritious food to the urban core is a vital undertaking. The work being done by REC to accomplish that goal is truly noteworthy.”

Petty said it is “great to be a part of the grand opening of the REC Community Farmers’ Market this year. It is a growing and important community resource, bringing local and healthy foods to our city’s residents. I look forward to its continued growth in the coming years and encourage residents to come out this year to support local agriculture.”

The grand opening kicks off the season for the farmers’ market, which will be held every Saturday through Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Farmers and food vendors from throughout Central Massachusetts will offer fresh, locally grown vegetables and fruits, meat and dairy products, locally roasted coffee and other prepared foods. Customers can pay with cash, credit, debit, EBT/SNAP, and Senior and WIC coupons. With support from the Worcester Arts Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Coalition, the market will also host live musical performances and a Kid Zone offering free hands-on activities for children throughout the season.

Performers on Saturday will include Big Jon Short and LoveJonesMonroe.

Vendors at the market include: REC’s YouthGROW Farm (Worcester), New Lands Farm (Sutton), Oakdale Farm (Rehoboth), Schultz Farm (Rutland), Roastmeisters Coffee, (Worcester), New Roots CSA (Sterling) and Nuestro Huerto (Worcester).

The REC established the Main South Community Farmers Market in 2008 in response to an identified need for fresh, local, healthy and affordable produce in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood.