Thanks to the Braintree Farmers Market Volunteers

Morgan Stidham and her father Jonathan help C.N. Smith Farm setup before the market opens.

    Now that the Braintree Farmers Market is but a fond memory we'd like to acknowledge some of the folks who have given their time to make the market a success.  Every single Saturday the market operates there is a crew of volunteers that come together to lend a hand to make sure the event goes smoothly.  The diversity of the team, which ranges in age from 10 to a wee bit shy of 90, has a common goal to bring fresh local foods and create a community atmosphere in Braintree.  Our vendors and farmers constantly tell us they look forward to our market every week because of how warmly they are greeted by volunteers and patrons which makes the Braintree Market like no other.  

   On the evening of October 22nd the market held a Volunteer Appreciation Soiree inside the Braintree Historical Society's barn and museum.  It was a perfect fall evening with a festive farm atmosphere.  The museum's current exhibit of antique farming equipment tied in perfectly.  All of the victuals and potables were graciously donated by the market farmers and vendors.  Their generosity was overwhelming with an abundance of tasty delights including sausages from Joe Beaulieu's Butcher Shop, clam chowder from Fresh Catch Seafood, cider from C.N. Smith Farm, crudite made from The Farmers Garden veggies, fresh picked salad fixings from The Second Nature Farm, delicious hummus, spinach pies and baklava from Homestyle Caterers, cheeses from Lawton Farms, fresh baked breads from Hearth Fired Baked Breads and The Great Cape Baking Company with spices from Ric's Pantry added to olive oil for dipping and spreads from Deborah's Kitchen, freshly roasted nuts from Fastachi and a variety of cranberries from Fairland Farms.  For dessert there were multiple pies from Ever So Humble Pie Company, delicious cookies from Jack's Cookie Jar and mouth watering mini cupcakes in several different flavors from The Cupcakerie.  We drew names for donated items such as an array of lavender items from Rhode Island Spa Products, a gift certificate from Nella Pasta, a variety of handmade crafts from Project Have Hope and sauce from Joslin Foods.  Thanks to Coastal Vineyards and Turtle Creek Winery for their contributions as well.  Even Mayor Joe Sullivan joined in with thank yous and acknowledgements for all the hard working volunteers

Angela Cavanaugh is our face behind facebook.

   All through the winter months the Farmers Market Committee is planning for the next season and how it can be even better than the last.  Thanks to Angela Cavanaugh for managing the Community Tent as well as our facebook page, Diana Althouse is our controller and keeps track of our budgets, Marie Vega and Susan Ryan coordinated the volunteer schedule which is constantly evolving and changing, Cathy Sloan-Gallagher has been working on the Visiting Vendors, Jim Curran helps with our website and Jonathan Stidham assists in many different aspects including setup assistance on market days along with his kids Morgan, Madison and Matt.

Bob James and Jim Smith from BEMA Braintree Emergency Management.

   During the market season the first team on the job are our friends at BEMA (Braintree Emergency Management Agency).  They're the ones that put out the traffic barrels and cones the night before and take them in as soon as the market closes.  This helps to keep the market safe from folks trying to drive through the market while it is operating.  Bob James is at the helm at BEMA and Jim Smith makes sure he gets the barrels taken care of before any of his other duties.  Jim and Bob are two of the our most dedicated volunteers.  We're thankful for all the BEMA volunteers that have lent a hand in making safety our number one priority.

Jim Regan is a loyal and hard-working volunteer.

   Jim Regan is our rock throughout the season.  He shows up before every market to set up the tents and assist the vendors and makes sure there is order in the chaos when everything comes together.  Once the market closes Jim makes sure everything returns to our storage area and makes sure everything neat and organized.  He juggles all this with his real work and family.  Jim is the man and we're grateful to have him on our team.

Eric Sugrue grew up in Braintree and now volunteers at the market.

   There are several volunteers that rotate by sharing tasks such as setups, tear downs, cleanup, putting out and taking in signs, managing the market, selling tee shirts etc.  Thanks to Eric Sugrue, Robert Fricke, Lauren Crook, Bob Casey, Pat Morey, Christine Sullivan, Stacie O'Callaghan, Ellen Fox, Linda Chapman, Eileen Campbell, Cheryl Edgar, Samantha Noone, Rick Gallagher, Mary Mitchell, Susan and Habib Karim, Bob Casey, Sandra Peterson and everyone that has lent a hand.  These are just a few of the folks that pitch in when help is needed.

   If you're interested in joining our volunteer team we'd love to hear from you.  Perhaps you have a particular talent that you'd like to share with us.  If so, please contact Marie at mariev@sustainablebraintree.org.

Braintree Thanksgiving Farmers Market

Ann Schunior joins the market on November 19th with her handmade pottery.

   The Braintree Thanksgiving Farmers Market, hosted by Sustainable Braintree, is being held on November 19th, from 9 to 1, inside the Braintree Town Hall, One JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree, MA.  Celebrate the end of the 2011 farmers market season with a full harvest for your holiday table.  The buzz on this market has grown substantially since our first holiday market back in 2009 and it's the one we've been waiting for all season.  We're setting the stage for our 2011 season finale and it's sure to memorable.  The market will offer products that you can always depend on such as locally grown fruits and vegetables, wine, fresh seafood, hormone & antibiotic free meats, local cheeses, honey, handmade pasta, eggs, many varieties of artisan sauces, fresh pressed apple cider, preserves made from local fruits, award winning pies made from local produce, scones, fresh baked breads, delicious prepared foods, all-natural spa products, phenomenally creative cookies, gourmet cupcakes, the Best Damn Granola, fair trade coffee, teas & chocolates. All of our regular vendors, with a few more more sprinkled in, will be on hand to spice things up.  Gift baskets & local and fair trade crafts will also be available. Enjoy Celtic fiddle music by Tiffany Rozenas & Family. The market will be located inside the Braintree Town Hall.

   This holiday market is extra special as we'll have some new vendors added to the mix to give your holiday shopping a kick start.  Look for a few local and fair trade craft artisans that are sure to peak your interest.  Ann Schunior will have her handcrafted pottery that express her interest in world cultures and travel.  Ann is a full-time potter and you'll see her expertise and creativity in every one-of-a-kind piece.  Tuccelli Confections will be on hand for the first time with fine handmade chocolates and confections that will be perfect as gifts or treat yourself to a new local flavor.  Sippican Farm will have mittens, gloves, scarves and hats made from the fleece from their Alpacas that should keep you warm until the market opens again next year.  The Dreaming Earth is new to the market and they will have an assortment of gorgeous fair trade crafts from the independent Mayan Indian Communities of Chiapa, Mexico.  Each purchase contributes a percentage towards clinics in their communities.  Project Have Hope will also be on hand with their reasonably priced jewelry made from recycled materials.  Project Have Hope works with a group of 100 women in the Acholi Quarter of Uganda and helps them transform their lives.

   Join us in this warm and toasty atmosphere as we say a fond farewell to the Braintree Farmers Market for the 2011 season.  Supporting small local businesses is on the rise. This is an opportunity for consumers to be connected with the business owners and begin to understand the passion they have for their products and support the local economy.  These are items that go beyond the bottom line which we've all become accustomed to.  These products are grown and made with heart and integrity.  We've thoughtfully curated our vendors with a focus on quality and diversity and we're proud of each and every vendor that participates in the market.  This is a hoe-down not to be missed!  Special thanks to all our Braintree Farmers Market supporters.  For more information visit us at www.sustainablebraintree.org/food.

Community Meeting & Thanksgiving Market

Sustainable Braintree is holding it's annual community meeting on November 17, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. in Johnson's Chamber on the 2nd floor in the Braintree Town Hall.  This meeting is open to the general public.  The featured speaker will be Bonnie Kavanaugh, a second generation nurse and herbalist. Her presentation is entitled 'Herbs for Winter Health and Wellness'. She will share some of her favorite recipes and remedies for the cold and flu season. Learn how foods and herbs can help prevent winter illnesses and when they strike, can help relieve some of the uncomfortable symptoms that accompany them. Herbal teas, cordials, vinegars, soups and many other "remedies" are discussed and recipes shared. Bonnie has over 30 years of health care experience as an herbalist and a registered nurse and is a graduate of the Rosemary Gladstar Art and Science of Herbal Medicine Program. Bonnie has been a past Council Member of the Northeast Herbalist Association and is a founding member of the Ocean State Herbalists Association. Bonnie is the co-author of "Rubies in the Sand; Recipes from the Cape Cod Cranberry Bogs" and currently works as an independent marketing representative for Fairland Farm/Cape Cod Organic Cranberry, LlC.

Braintree Thanksgiving Farmers Market, hosted by Sustainable Braintree, is being held on November 19th, from 9 to 1, inside the Braintree Town Hall, One JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree, MA.  Celebrate the end of the 2011 farmers market season with a full harvest for your holiday table.  Locally grown fruits and vegetables, wine, fresh seafood, hormone & antibiotic free meats, local cheeses, honey, handmade pasta, eggs, many varieties of artisan sauces, fresh pressed apple cider, preserves made from local fruits, award winning pies made from local produce, scones, fresh baked breads, delicious prepared foods, all-natural spa products, plants & flowers, phenomenally creative cookies, gourmet cupcakes, the Best Damn Granola, fair trade coffee, teas & chocolates. All of our regular vendors, with a few more more sprinkled in, will be on hand to spice things up.  Gift baskets & local and fair trade crafts will also be available. The market will be located inside the Braintree Town Hall.  Celtic fiddle music by Tiffany Rozenas & Family.  This is a hoe-down not to be missed!  For more information visit us at  www.sustainablebraintree.org/food.