Farmer’s Market will kick off season with live band, petting zoo and more
The Weymouth Farmer’s Market will kick off its seventh season with live music, a petting zoo and fun activities for kids and adults on Saturday, June 6th. Over a dozen vendors have signed on for the season, and a number of new initiatives are scheduled to roll out.
“This is set to be the best year yet for the Farmer’s Market,” says Mayor Susan Kay. “We have extended the season by an additional five weeks so residents have more time to shop their favorite foods. The Farmer’s Market will also accept EBT cards for the first time, making fresh produce more accessible than ever to families.”
Shoppers who use their EBT card at the Market can receive an extra $20 a day to purchase fresh local foods this season. The match program is generously funded by the Weymouth Food Pantry, without whom accepting EBT cards would not be possible. EBT is a system that allows eligible households to use public benefits to pay for food as if they were using a debit card. Doubling food assistance benefits aims to alleviate hunger, incentive healthy eating, and make shopping fresh and local easier for more families. The Market will also accept debit cards from customers, though these cards will not be eligible for matching dollars.
The Farmer’s Market plans to celebrate its new initiatives with a big kick off on June 6th. There will be a live performance by Ramshackle, a Weymouth-based acoustic band and a farmers-market fan favorite across the South Shore. Residents can also enjoy a travelling petting zoo with about 20 baby farm animals to see and hold. Local health and wellness professionals will also be onsite with presentations and giveaways, and Weymouth Recreation will run a number of activities for kids.
The Farmer’s Market will run every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Weymouth Town Hall. There will be a variety of fresh local foods available, including breads, fish, fruits, honey and vegetables. Customers will also find an assortment of homemade crafts, spa products, and pet food. The season will run through October 24, 2015.
As in previous years, the Farmer’s Market will host a series of Neighborhood Celebration Days to promote the vitality of Weymouth villages. These events are open to artists, businesses, and clubs in Weymouth to advertise and showcase themselves beyond their usual areas. Interested persons are invited to contact the Mayor’s Office to reserve a free table. The Farmer’s Market will celebrate North Weymouth on June 27th, East Weymouth on July 18th, Weymouth Landing on August 15th, and South Weymouth on September 12th.
For more information about the Weymouth Farmer’s Market, please visit the Town of Weymouth’s website (www.weymouth.ma.us/farmers-market) or contact the Mayor’s Office at (781) 340-5012. Residents can also follow the Market on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with news and announcements throughout the season.