Best Farmers' Markets in Southeastern Massachusetts

Farmers' markets are back in a big way. In the modern world a farmer's market is like a big old breath of fresh air on a smoggy day. In these days of high prices on just about everything-gas, food, clothing, water-it's a comfort to know that some relief is available. Farm fresh food is available at a reasonable price, and it's a lot closer than you might think.

The local farmers' markets in Southern Massachusetts provide fresh, healthy, organically grown and conventionally grown produce at a reasonable cost. Supporting local farmer's markets helps to preserve local open and green space. And I mean "green" both literally and figuratively. Supporting local farmer's markets can also help to preserve the unique regional identity of our communities, an identity that is increasingly under threat by massive construction projects and abusive use of our open spaces. The way I figure it, my little bit of support can go a long way in preserving what little space there is in an already crowded city. Another bonus is that much of the money spent at a farmer's market stays in the local economy, supports local businesses, and strengthens our communal lives.

With over forty farmer's markets operating between Providence and the South End of Boston, it's also likely that one is close enough for you to frequent without it being a major hassle. In fact, it's quite likely that you've got one within a ten to fifteen minute drive of where you live now. You'll be able to get outside, see people (generally smiling people) who are like minded, and you may even find a friend.

I've been enjoying local fruits and veggies from local markets for years. The market I used to visit was not so long ago only a five-minute walk from my home at a leisurely pace, and within a ten minute drive of well over one-hundred thousand local city and country dwellers. Now, it's a bit farther, but it's still worth every minute of driving.

The farmers' market recaptures, in many ways, the original use of "common land," that is, it encourages and allows the use of publicly owned land for a communal purpose. Originally many of the "commons" around the United States were places where people could let their livestock-cattle, goats, and the like-graze. Now, farmer's markets allow a different type of grazing: the grazing of food. And what food there is to be found! One of the benefits of shopping at a farmer's market is the quality of produce one will find. The produce is often picked the morning of the day it is sold-you can't get much fresher than that unless you plop down next to a cucumber in a field and say hello. Last year I ate a pear from the farmer's market that was the ripest, tastiest, and most succulent that I've had in years. Grocery store pears don't even come close-they've got to be picked before there even close to ripe so they don't bruise in long distance shipping. A grocery store pear is to cardboard what a farmers' market pear is to heaven.

Farmers' markets are not all created equal. There are two basic categories of farmer's markets. Cleverly, they are designated as "Class One," and "Class Two."

I happen to be lucky enough to live near a Class One farmers' market. Class One farmer's markets are considered by market "aficionados" as superior in many ways to others because they sell only what is grown by local farmers. The guidelines are very strict. An organizer of my local farmers' market tells me that organizers actually visit the local farms, inspect them, and make darn sure that they are actually growing the food they sell. In the past they've even had to take legal action to get non-compliant farmers to leave. So, you won't find apples from Argentina or potatoes from Paraguay at a Class One farmer's market. Not that there's anything inherently wrong with those places--but the food's just not as fresh, let's face it.

Class Two farmer's markets are still a nice option, but sadly they do not ensure that their produce is grown locally. In fact, the produce at a Class Two farmer's market could come from anywhere, be it Somerset or Somalia.

As a bonus, many markets decided to add local craftsmen to the mix, along with musical entertainment. It's actually a great way to spend a few early hours of a summer day. If you're a parent, it's a wonderful opportunity to let your children get some exercise, get shopping done, and spend some quality family time together. That's something that's almost impossible to do under the fluorescent lights at the "super" market.

For more information about local farmer's markets in Massachusetts go to: www.farmfresh.org/food/farmersmarkets.