Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Aug. 2 is the start of Massachusetts Farmer's Market Week, celebrating the peak of the summer produce season in Massachusetts.
After a decline in farmer's markets in the 1980s and 90s that coincided with a farm crisis in rural America, their popularity has rocketed back in recent years as the number of farmers markets across the U.S. rose to about 8,600.
The North Andover Farmers Market is one of the many starting up for the year, beginning to sell at the start of August all the way through to the beginning of September.
Some of the most popular produce coming out right now include zucchini, cucumbers, peaches, raspberries, blueberries, corn, peppers, and tomatoes.
This market, like most others, is made up of smaller local growers, and Market Chair Chris Allen said that's part of the draw.
“Why do you want to come down to the farmer's market? Well, you're supporting your local economy. It's kind of a big deal for these folks,” Allen said.
She also explained how the market not only supports these smaller farmers by letting them sell direct-to-consumer, but it also gives prepared food stands and trinket sellers a jump-off point into launching more permanent businesses.
Direct-to-consumer is particularly working in these smaller farmers' favor this year because, as Aisha Kelly with Gaouette Farm in Methuen explained, many are hesitant to buy certain produce from grocery stores right now.
“I would say it's been a lot busier because of the lettuce panic,” Kelly said. “More people, they want their lettuce, especially for summertime."
Mike Raisbeck with BitzNPeace Farm in Chelmsford relies on these smaller markets as their main source of income.
“This is our market. I do five farmer's markets a week,” he said.
More information can be found here. Information on the history of farmers markets in the U.S. can be found here.
WBZ NewsRadio's Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.