Farmer’s Markets Expand To Urban Neighborhoods
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Farmers markets may have started in upscale outposts, but local officials and Farm Fresh RI have made a fresh commitment to bringing local, fresh produce to many more Rhode Islanders... particularly in urban neighborhoods.
Through Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s partnership with the Providence Housing Authority, the brand-new Hartford Avenue Farmers Market opened July 6th at 370 Hartford Ave.
The Broad Street Market is returning in 2011 to serve the residents of South Providence. In addition to four returning farmers, the market will also feature members of the Southside Community Land Trust Community Growers, who are harvesting foods in your neighborhood.
Now in its fifth year, the Pawtucket Market provides the perfect opportunity to grab fresh fruits and vegetables on a Sunday afternoon. Shop at any of the seven vendors and sit along the Blackstone River for a picnic. This market is easy to reach by bicycle, just north of Providence.
The Woonsocket Market is partnering with Thundermist Health Center this year to bring fresh food to Woonsocket residents. The Woonsocket Market features “Healthy Foods, Healthy Families”, a free nutrition education program for low-income families, and a new public health initiative called “Fruits and Veggies Rx”.
Access, produce, for all
Customers may use cash, credit, debit, EBT cards, Senior Coupons, WIC Farmers Market Coupons and WIC Fruit and Vegetable checks at all of these markets. Those wanting to use a credit, debit or EBT card can purchase Fresh Bucks – farmers' market tokens – at the Farm Fresh RI table. Fresh Bucks can also be purchased in the form of a gift certificate.
Providence Mayor Angel Taveras will cut the robbin at the brand new Hartford Ave Market in Providence on July 13th, and he'll make another appearance on July 16th at the Broad Street Market for the Johnson and Wales Cooking Demo Kick-Off.
All of RI’s farmers markets are bursting with fresh, nutritious fruits, veggies and herbs - tomatoes, basil, blueberries, sweet corn, summer squash, cucumbers, eggplant, kale and lettuce! For those on the hunt for savory selections from Ocean State farms, farmers markets are the freshest source for local eggs, dairy and meat. And for green thumbs, farmers markets are your one-stop shop for flowers, vegetable seedlings, and much more!
A brief schedule of the opening farmers markets is provided below, along with a list of activities and events that you don’t want to miss! To learn more about farmers markets and events happening near you, please visit www.farmfresh.org/markets.
New Farmers Markets
Harford Avenue Farmers Market (NEW MARKET!)
When: Wednesdays, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm; July 6 to October 26
Where: 370 Hartford Ave, Perry Middle School, Providence
Ribbon-cutting and Health Fair with Mayor Taveras and Chief of the Division of Agriculture, Ken Ayars, on July 13th
Broad Street Farmers Market
When: Saturdays, 9:00 am -12:00 pm; July 9 to October 29
Where: Algonquin House, 807 Broad St., Providence
Johnson and Wales Cooking Demo Kick-off with Mayor Taveras on July 16th
Pawtucket Farmers Market
When: Sundays, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm; July 10 to October 30
Where: Slater Mill, 87 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket
Woonsocket Farmers Market (NEW LOCATION!)
When: Tuesdays, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm; July 5 to October 25
Where: Thundermist Health Center, 450 Clinton St., Woonsocket
For more information about Farm Fresh Rhode Island or any RI farmers market, visit www.farmfreshri.org.
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