The following news release was submitted by the Andover Farmers Market and does not necessarily reflect the views of Andover News:
The Andover Farmers Market is in the middle of peak harvest season and there are only two markets left. AFM is hosted by Sponsor South Church on Central Street each Saturday from 9 – 1 PM, rain or shine, through October 12th. To date, this season has been the Market’s most successful yet, averaging nearly 1,000 visitors a week with over sixty-five vendors and community partners participating. There is a robust group of weekly farmers and food producers who are joined by rotating food vendors, artisans, and community partners. Where else in Andover can you pick up locally grown heirloom tomatoes, get a new pair of fall earrings, and enjoy Hawaiian shave ice over homemade ice cream?
Everything at the Market is based on five pillars: improve health, combat food insecurity, economic development, environmental sustainability, and build community. The producer-only market includes four local farms, a specialty mushroom farm, and local honey and flowers. The Market also features sustainably caught fish and humanely raised poultry, eggs, and baked goods every week. Rotating food vendors include everything from Puerto Rican empanadas to gluten free donuts to wine produced in North Andover. Local artisans sell pottery, plushies, and jewelry amongst other items. Community Partners include Sidney’s Rainbows, which provides children’s programming most weekends, the Village Food Hub, collecting fresh produce for its food pantry and distribution programs, and the Merrimack Valley Community Music which coordinates live music each week funded via grants from the Andover Cultural Council, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and a generous donation from JANZ Medical Supply.
New this season, the Town of Andover has featured a different department each week along with the Public Safety Department. It is a great time to learn more about Town Government, especially while enjoying a cold brew (coffee!). Also new this season are weekly themes designed to engage the vendors and local community at the Market and on social media. Upcoming themes are
October 5th: A Celebration of our Artisans
October 12th: An early Halloween celebration with everyone encouraged to dress up and a tent decorating contest amongst our vendors
Themes, weekly happenings ,and vendor lists are available as Facebook Events on our Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/andoverfarmersmarket), Instagram (www.instagram.com/andovermafarmersmarket), and our website (www.andoverfarmersmarket.com). We also remind you to save the date for the Andover Holiday Market returning December 7th.
In closing, a reminder that the AFM is a registered SNAP vendor. SNAP recipients can buy any eligible food at the market. To increase purchasing power for shoppers using SNAP, we double shopper’s SNAP dollars up to $25/week, giving people $50 to buy eligible food when they spend $25. SNAP recipients can stop by the Information Table at the entrance before shopping. Other nutrition benefits supported by various vendors at the market include WIC, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and HIP (Massachusetts’ Healthy Incentive Program). This program is key to the Market’s mission to combat food insecurity and build community.
Don’t miss the Market during its busiest season. It’s also a great time to pick up some holiday gifts!