Saturday Chelsea Farmers Market opens April 30 with extended hours

(Publisher’s note: When the 5 Healthy Town’s Board of Directors meets on May 23, it will consider a budget of $75,000 for the Chelsea Wellness Coalition’s Year 5 Plan. Chelsea Update is profiling each of the interventions that is hoping to receive funding.)

By Lisa Carolin

Among the Chelsea Wellness Coalition’s interventions is the Chelsea Farmers Market, which kicks off its season on Saturday, April 30 with new extended hours from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., and on Wednesday, May 4, from 2-6 p.m.

Other changes include a weekly children’s booth from June-September sponsored by Kiwanis and once a month booth by MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers.)

The mission of the Farmers Market is to cultivate a commitment to quality local products and produce in a pleasant, easily accessible location by offering goods that will enrich the community through environmentally conscious and healthy food choices, social exchange and economic growth.

“The farmers market is important because it provides a place to connect to your community in a place that fosters healthy eating and healthy lifestyles,” said Stephanie Willette, manager of the Chelsea Farmers Markets.

“Community members are able to talk directly with their farmers and food providers so they have a real sense about where their food comes from and how it’s produced. The market has many food assistance programs that increase access to fruits and vegetables and make them very affordable,” she said.

If approved, funds from 5 Healthy Towns will be used for the market manager’s salary and payment for a market assistant.

Willette says that last season the Saturday market, which has existed for 26 years, drew an average of 650 customers a day, and the Wednesday farmers market, which started in 2007, drew an average of 340 customers a day.

“According to our customer surveys, 65 percent said shopping at the market increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables,” said Willette. “Plus, 75 percent shop at the market either because it has healthy food or to support local. In answer to our questions, “How did you hear about the market?’ the most common answer by far was ‘long-term customer’ (47 percent of those surveyed), which I think speaks to our customers’ loyalty.”

Both the Wednesday and Saturday Farmers Markets take place at the Palmer Lot at 222 S. Main Street in downtown Chelsea.