Special Thanksgiving Market on Nov 23rd 2013

Order Fresh Turkeys from Vermont

This Year we have a special offering of fresh turkeys that are hormone-free and humanely raised from Ephraim Farm in Vermont.  Orders can be placed ahead, to assure that you'll get exactly what you want, or purchase a bird at the market on Nov. 23rd from 9 to 1.  Turkeys are $3.59 lb. and you can order 12-16 lb. hen, 16-20 lb. hen, 20-24 lb. tom.  Special orders must be received by Nov. 20th and will be confirmed by email or phone.  Your turkey will be available for pick up at the Thanksgiving Braintree Farmers Market.  Call farmers Steve & Esta Morse at 802-885-8798 or email at hayfarmr@hotmail.com

Learn How to Eat Healthy

Do you spend more time selecting your outfit in the morning than your breakfast?  Do you lay out $100 for a pair of sneakers but balk at the price of fresh locally grown vegetables?  Or maybe you believe you lack the knowledge or expertise to cook your own meals?  Whether the underlying reason is time, cost, or inexperience, many of us resort to processed foods, to some degree, as a matter of convenience.  And we pay the price with our health in the long run.  Join Cathy Sloan Gallagher, nutritional therapist and food enthusiast, at the Sustainable Braintree annual community meeting to learn just how processed "convenience" foods harm your health, how best to avoid them, and what it truly means to eat in a healthy and balanced way.  Join us on Thursday, Nov. 21st, 2013 at 7 pm for Cathy's presentation inside the Cahill Auditorium at the Braintree Town Hall, 1 JFK Memorial Dr. Braintree, MA.  It's free.

Hayride at the Market

Join us in front of the Braintree Town Hall for the first-time ever horse-drawn hayride from Cedar Knoll Farm.   Reminisce about the days when Braintree was an agrarian community as you clop around the market.  The hayride will operate from 10am to 1pm during the Thanksgiving Farmers Market.
Celebrate with us at our last and biggest market of the season which includes ALL our 30+ local farmers, artisan food vendors and local crafters along with bluegrass music by the Four Bridges Band and a horse-drawn hayride right at the Braintree Town Hall-this event is sponsored by Liberty Bay Credit Union! Ye ha!  The Thanksgiving Braintree Farmers Market will operate on Nov 23rd, 2013 from 9 to 1 at the Braintree Town Hall at One JFK Memorial Dr. Braintree, MA.

Make a Difference Day/Pumpkin Festival

In exchange for donated items receive a free pumpkin courtesy of Liberty Bay Credit Union.

Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 9:00 to 1:00 

at Braintree Town Hall

Make A Difference Day is a national day of giving where neighbors help neighbors — Please support your local non-profits. 

We will be collecting QUALITY USED items: 

*Adult Clothing (including interview attire) & Household Items (especially dishes and small appliances) for Interfaith Social Services’ Career Closet & Thrift Shop

*Children’s Fall & Winter Clothing (infant to high school) for the Kids’ Clothes Closet and Cradles to Crayons

*Baby Items (car seats, strollers, playpens, safety items, bedding, diaper bags - NO cribs) & Children’s Items (toys, puzzles, movies & books) for Cradles to Crayons

*Aquariums, Filters, Heaters, Food Bowls, Animal Toys & Cages/Crates for the New England Wildlife Center

*Books, DVDs & CDs for the Friends of Thayer Public Library

*Cell Phones for Cell Phones for Soldiers

*Eyeglasses for Lions Recycle for Sight

As well as some NEW items:

*Toiletries (toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap), Non-perishable Food, Paper Goods (incl. napkins & paper towels), Laundry Detergent, Cleaning Supplies, Diapers, Sanitary Items & Baby Wipes for the Marge Crispin Center.

*Birthday Party Supplies (plates, tablecloths, cutlery, juice boxes, piñatas, goodie bags, wrapped candy without nuts) (open packages accepted) for Birthday Wishes

*Dry Dog Food, Reptomin Turtle Food & Bleach for the N.E. Wildlife Center

*And some MISCELLANEOUS items and items that have seen better days:

 -Soda Can Tabs for Shriners Hospitals    -Old Keys for keyforhope.org

 -Old Towels, Wine Corks, Box Tops for Education, Campbell’s Labels, Codes from Coke Products,  Old Sneakers (in any condition, no cleats)

*Clean your closets for a good cause and go home with a FREE PUMPKIN courtesy of Liberty Bay Credit Union (quantities are limited)

 To volunteer: email makeadiff@sustainablebraintree.org or call 781-794-8338

For updates: www.sustainablebraintree.org

Fall Flavors at the Farmers' Market

Fresh carrots from C.N. Smith Farm.

Only two more markets in October (10/19 & 10/26), Saturdays from 9 to 1, (rain or shine) and then the Special Indoor Thanksgiving Market on Nov. 23 are left for the 2013 season.  Please come and support local farms at the market while you can and use up all your Market Moolah that you've been squirreling away.  The market continues to host a wide variety of local farmers and small artisan food vendors with an autumn harvest of produce and foods that include the flavors of Fall, such as pumpkin, apple and spices.  Homestyle Caterers provides us with hot Chicken Pot Pies, Stuffed Peppers and King Tut's Lentil Soup.  Now is the time to stock your pantry for the long cold months ahead.

Start putting aside gently used items and donate them at our Make a Difference Day/Pumpkin Festival market on Oct. 26th.  Sustainable Braintree will be working in conjunction with the Braintree Farmers Market by holding a collection inside the Braintree Town Hall.  Donated new and gently used goods will be passed along to a variety of local nonprofit organizations.  In exchange for donations participants will be awarded with a free pumpkin sponsored by Liberty Bay Credit Union.

My Angel's Call Soaps

Rita Carolina helps her mother Carmen Mirabel sell her all-natural soaps and lotions.

At the helm of All My Angel's Call Soaps is Carmen Mirabel who was one of our founding vendors when the Braintree Farmers Market opened back in 2009.  Carmen and her daughter, Rita Carolina, are happily back again with Carmen's luxurious body products that include soaps, lotions, soy candles and essential oils, handcrafted from flowers, vegetables and trees that enhance and heal the quality of our lives.  Carmen uses all-natural essential oils that are used for aromatherapy, an alternative form of medicine in which healing effects are ascribed to the aromatic compounds in the oils and other plant extracts.  Many common plants have medicinal properties that have been applied in folk medicine since ancient times and are still widely used today.  As you walk near Carmen's tent you will be drawn in by the luscious scents of her products and we're thrilled to have her back with us.  My Angel's Call Soaps will be at the market every Saturday for the remainder of the season.

This week, Fairland Farm Cranberries will be our Guest Visiting Vendor with their dried and fresh local cranberries.  Jack's Doggy Snacks will also be on board with Marni's all-natural dog snacks that will make your canines sit up and beg for more.  Make sure to stock up as they will not be returning until our Special Indoor Thanksgiving Market on Nov. 23rd.  The Braintree Farmers Market will operate in our outdoor location at the Braintree Town Hall on Saturdays throughout October from 9 to 1, rain or shine.  Please join us.

BELD Customer Appreciation Day at the Market

Mike Cavanaugh and daughters Julianne & Audrey explore BELD's Bucket Truck.

Join us for BELD’s Customer Appreciation Day at the Farmers Market. Look for the BELD (Braintree Electric Light Dept.) tents between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 5th, 2013.  To promote the viability of solar energy BELD has been powering a water cooler and amplification for our musicians with a solar-powered generator every Saturday at the market. The generator was purchased with some of the money realized from the sale of solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) received from the 10 KW solar array they have on the roof of BELD’s Operations garage.  This Saturday BELD will serve refreshments and guests can visit demonstration tables where staff will answer questions about BELD and our BGREEN program. There’ll be giveaways, and kids can pick up a hardhat and explore our bucket truck.
A mobile shredding truck provided by Pro-Shred Security www.proshred.com) will be on site to securely shred your sensitive documents. The service is free of charge, but all donations will support Sustainable Braintree. We’ll also be accepting books for recycling—books and proceeds will go to Thayer Public Library. And enter our free raffle exclusively for Braintree residents for an awesome “Taste of the Farmers Market” basket!

Harvest is Plentiful at the Market

Full bounty at Second Nature Farm.

Having the Braintree Farmers Market is like having the best farm stand ever right here in town.  Currently the growers have an abundance of locally grown produce brought to us every Saturday freshly-picked and at it's peak in terms of taste and healthful benefits.  The growing season will continue until the first hard frost with some plants continuing even a bit longer.  All of the market's growers are located in Southeastern Massachusetts which seems to be the last place for frost to hit due to it's close proximity to the ocean's warmer currents in the fall.  So now it the best time to drop by the market every Saturday from 9 to 1 at the Braintree Town Hall.  The market has been lucky enough to have fair weather throughout the season so far but if severe weather develops the market will move inside and in front of the town hall to ensure that you don't miss a week of the finest local foods.

Braintree Farmers Market Runs Thru October

The Braintree Farmers Market runs thru October.

The Braintree Farmers Market has been enjoying a remarkable 2013 season and will continue to operate through the month of October with a Special Indoor Thanksgiving Market on November 23rd.  The fall harvest season is upon us and there's plenty of fresh corn, tomatoes, peaches, apples, a variety of squashes, plants, herbs and much more, all grown locally right here in southeastern Massachusetts.  Fresh baked goods, including a wide variety of breads, rolls, croissants, pretzels, scones, cupcakes, pies, whoopie pies, tea breads, baklava, cake pops, cookies, macarons and quiches.  From an extensive selection of seafood to hormone and antibiotic-free beef, pork, lamb, along with free range chicken and eggs.  Locally made soaps and lotions, jams, honey, relishes, pickles, pastas, cheeses, wines from local vineyards, fair trade coffees, teas, chocolates, Vermont maple syrup, olive oils, vinegars, sauces, ice cream, and an assortment of deliciously prepared foods that are ready to eat.  The market now offers a Market Moolah program which are tokens purchased with credit/debit or EBT cards and used as currency with our vendors and farmers for shopping convenience.  Every week Sustainable Braintree hosts a local charitable organization in an effort to bring attention to their cause.  

The Braintree Farmers Market is brought to you by the efforts of volunteers who recognize the value of local foods, environmental issues and, most importantly, the strong sense of community that has blossomed in our efforts to bring this event to Braintree.  The market runs on Saturdays from 9 to 1, rain or shine, in front of the Braintree Town Hall.  In the event of severe weather conditions the market will be moved inside the town hall auditorium.  Thanks to everyone who supports this labor of love and, if you have never been to the market, now is the perfect time to try us out.  See you on Saturday.

Fairland Farm Cranberries back at the market

Mark Kavanaugh is on board to help with your cranberries choices.

Back by popular demand this week Fairland Farms will be returning with their delicious organic cranberries.  We've had many requests for this vendor and their finally returning with a full bounty of dried cranberries perfect for salads, baked goods, granolas or simply eat them right out of the bag as a more healthy alternative to candy.  They're naturally fat free and do not contain preservatives or sulfites.  So, for all of you who have been asking, here's your chance to pick up your favorite cranberries once again at the farmers' market.

Try out a wide variety of new products that are currently being tested at The Cupcakerie.  Owner, Kristin Brennan, has put on her creativity hat and is now offering new items such as Cake Pops, Madeleines, Macarons, along with small and large sized savory quiches.  Please support this gallant effort to bring new and unique baked items with a French twist to the market.  Kristin is also teaching a workshop on how to make cupcakes at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Local produce is now at it's peak so it's the perfect time to visit the market for flavors we've been waiting all year for, such as, tomatoes, corn, squash, onions, peppers, eggplant and garlic.  Saute them altogether with olive oil and a little butter and spread it over your Nella Pasta and grate a little Asiago Cheese on top from Foxboro Cheese-done.

Did you know that apples and peaches are the specialties at C.N. Smith Farm?  There's nothing like the flavor of a fresh local peaches and apples in your pies and crisps or simply eat them just the way they are.  Look for many different varieties at this farm to find out which ones are your favorites.  Mums and pumpkins have already started to arrive at the market so it's time to decorate your front porch with these seasonal treasures.  Fall is the best time of year in New England so let's celebrate.

The Braintree Farmers Market operates every Saturday from 9 to 1, rain or shine, in front of the Braintree Town Hall, 1 JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree, through October with a Special Indoor Thanksgiving Market on Nov. 23rd, 2013.

Sustainable Braintree Earth Celebration

Recycle 4 Life artwork at the Earth Celebration.

Learn something new at the Braintree Farmers Market this Saturday, September 7th, at Sustainable Braintree’s Annual Earth Celebration. Representatives from all task forces will be under the events tent promoting their mission to advocate smart living through sustainability and environmental awareness. The Community Garden table will feature information on organic gardening and composting. If you are interested in starting a second community garden in town, you will have the opportunity to speak with committee members. Ramp up your RQ (Recycling Quotient) with tips from our recycling experts and play Recycle Bingo. You’ll be amazed at what can be placed in single stream recycling.  The new recycling and trash bins from Sunrise Scavengers will be on display. Learn all about Make Difference Day which is held this year on October 28.  The Energy Task Force will feature a striking display about Solar Energy.  Visit Sustainable Braintree’s informational table as now is the time to join this earth-friendly organization and learn about their contributions to the community over the past five years. Donations will be gratefully accepted. In addition a representative from The Massachusetts Master Gardener Association, a non-profit educational organization, will be on hand to share knowledge and experience about their outreach programs in education, horticulture and gardening.  Bee keeper Alan Hiltz and The New England Wildlife Center will offer a unique opportunity for live animal observation. The Braintree Electric Light Department (BELD) will be offering “cold water from the Sun” as it does every Saturday. BELD is powering a water cooler with a solar powered generator, in an effort to promote the viability of solar energy.  Music for the Earth Celebration will be provided by The Travelers and Market Vendors will have special thematic offerings. Pura Vida, Braintree's eco-friendly hair salon, will be at the market from 10 to 11 A.M. to hand out coupons for $10 off any service along with a Pureology packet of shampoo and conditioner. 

Annual Clam & Lobster Feast Aug 31st

Regina Alexander and her daughter Julie Vanick join us every year for the Clam & Lobster Feast.

It's that time of year again when we get out the bibs and nutcrackers to celebrate the end of summer with the Annual Clam & Lobster Feast in conjunction with the Braintree Farmers Market.  Fresh Catch Seafood puts on a traditional New England style banquet that can't be beat that will have you reminiscing this winter about our carefree days at the market.  The big events tent, donated by BELD, will be up and we'll have tables and chairs that were possible through a generous donation from Wamps Pizzeria in the Granite Plaza.  So come on down and enjoy fresh seafood cooked to order al fresco before the cool breezes start to send us back inside.  This event is made possible in part by a generous donation from Fresh Catch Seafood.

Fresh Catch will set up their kitchen right on the town hall green and prepare steamers, lobsters and the entire Clam & Lobster Feast which includes steamers, lobsters, onions, potatoes and corn.  They'll also have New England Clam Chowder, Lobster Bisque, stuffed Quahogs, Lobster Salad Rolls, littlenecks and oysters on the half shell and much more.  We'll even have live music by the very talented Carlo V' Ramos.  Project Have Hope will also be on board with their hand-crafted items created by the women of the Acholi District of Uganda.  This is an event not to be missed.

Swiss Bakers are Green Bakers

Hillary Anderson is our Guest Hugger from Swissbakers.

 

 

There's no need to travel to Switzerland to appreciate traditional Swiss baked goods since the arrival of Swissbakers.  All their products are baked and made fresh the day of the market with natural ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible.  They offer a wide assortment of breads such as Pajazzo, a naturally fat-free bread that is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, and Zopf which looks like Challah but not nearly as sweet and is traditionally served on Sundays in Switzerland.   Try the Choco Weggli that sells out almost everyday in their shop.  It's made with a butter dough and sweetened with Lindt chocolate pieces inside and sprinkled with pearl sugar on top.  The Mini Swirl Roll is a market favorite chock full of hazelnuts.  Try their Berliners filled with chocolate, fruit or the plain cinnamon.  They're similar to a donut with a much more unbelievable taste.  They also offer an array of croissants, cookies, tarts and pretzels.  Try their pretzel bread sandwiches with choices like pesto, tomato & mozzarella, tuna & pickle, and salami with pickles.  Each sandwich option is unique and incredibly delicious.

Swissbakers are "grandchild-sustainable," meaning everything has to have a positive or no impact on our grandchildrens' environment. They received the 2012 Green Business Award for their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas, water conservation, sourcing ingredients locally and they recycle whenever possible.  Try their wares and you'll be sure to come back for more.

Please join us on Aug. 31st for our Traditional Clam & Lobster Feast and the Sustainable Braintree Earth Celebration on Sept. 7th.  See you on Saturday.

Homestyle @ the Market

Maureen and Chef Hassan are the main ingredients at Homestyle Caterers.

Homestyle Caterers have been with the market since our inaugural season in 2009 and they're still as popular as ever.  As you stroll through the market the irresistible aroma of stuffed peppers, chicken pot pies, spinach pie and an array of home cooked foods will draw you to their tent where you'll find a wide selection of handcrafted foods prepared lovingly by Chef Hassan.
Chef Hassan came to the U.S. from Alexandria, Egypt and landed in Boston. While working at Anthony's Pier Four restaurant he met a nice Irish girl named Maureen and sparks began to fly. They married and bought a house in Braintree, because of the great school system, and raised their three children, Nora, Ameera and David. They opened the Ship's Wheel restaurant in Weymouth Landing and Chef Hassan brought his two teen-aged brothers, Hamdi and Mustapha and a sister, Sana, from Egypt and everyone worked together in the restaurant for several years. The Chef's next venture was a Middle-Eastern restaurant in Quincy called The Oasis. They had live traditional music and belly dancers entertained every evening. The Oasis had a menu made up mostly of the wonderfully flavorful foods that Hassan learned from helping his mother cook. He was the eldest of ten children and pitched in on a regular basis while growing up which are the same recipes he still uses today. Many of the Oasis customers came from the large Syrian and Lebanese population in the Quincy Point area and many were newcomers who loved the cuisine.

When the Oasis was sold Chef Hassan was thinking about making his life less hectic and more enjoyable. Running a restaurant is hard work with very long hours and not a lot of time for a personal life so he decided to focus solely on catering and opened the Homestyle Caterers commissary in Quincy in 2001. When the Hassans heard about the new hometown farmer's market they wanted to be part of it. The idea of having fresh, local produce, foods, and natural products in an open market in the center of town on a Saturday morning sounded wonderful. And so, the Homestyle Caterers crew has spent the past five years schmoozing with neighbors, friends, and the Braintree Farmer's Market vendors and volunteers over hot lobster pies, baked macaroni, savory falafel roll-ups, blueberry scones and much more on Saturday mornings.  Drop by and find out why Homestyle is a market favorite.

Stir It Up @ the Market

Meet Phyliss MacPherson from Stir It Up Cuisine.

This season we're throwing in a little summer heat with Stir It Up Cuisine.  Their specialty is Caribbean Pepper Jelly made with authentic Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper combined with green, yellow and red peppers to create a mouth-watering, tangy, savory-sweet jelly.  It's delicious with cold cuts and various meat dishes and could become an essential pantry item in your kitchen.  One of their specialties at the market is the incredibly delicious Caribbean Pepper Jelly Cheese Torte that's perfect for a party or purchase the Mini Torte as a special treat to enjoy throughout the week.

Stir It Up Cuisine is owned and operated by Patricia Kiernan, a native Jamaican who has cultivated the art of Caribbean cuisine through her family recipes that have been passed down for generations.  Stop by their tent and sample the goods and you'll be back again and again to add this special treat to your market acquisitions.  Stir It Up Cuisine visits the market every other Saturday.

Deborah's Kitchen Spreadable Fruits and Relishes

Deborah Taylor from Deborah's Kitchen.

At the Braintree Farmers Market each one of our vendors are carefully selected to ensure that our customers will enjoy a wide selection of high quality local foods.  Deborah's Kitchen joined the market in 2011 and they've been supplying us with their all natural, low sugar, spreadable fruit and relish.  While the majority of jams and preserves use two thirds refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup, Deborah's Kitchen uses two thirds fruit with all natural sugar and no preservatives.  From chefs to gourmet cooks and just plain folks, the payoff is a far superior flavor with less calories.

Try an assortment of their creative fruit blends that make each flavor a unique gourmet treat that can be used for meat and fish glazes, stir fry, marinades and barbeque sauces, desert toppings and fillings, sandwich spreads, breakfast bread and cereal toppings.  Add them to salad dressings or mix into yoghurt or cottage cheese or simply spread them on top of your toast.  Their Spreadable Fruits will enhance any meal and also be a much healthier choice. 

Deborah's Kitchen also offers a delicious Sweet Pepper Relish and Green Tomato Relish that are a perfect accoutrement to meats, seafoods and cheeses.  Mix the relishes with a bit of mayo to make the perfect tartar sauce for your crab cakes.  Hot Hot Peach and Hot Hot Cranberry are perfect to heat up your main courses or cheeses.  Try them.

Copicut Farms joins the market

"B" from Copicut Farms displays their fresh eggs.

This season the market welcomes Copicut Farms to our weekly lineup of vendors.  Copicut Farms is owned and operated by Vince and Elizabeth Frary, a fourth generation Massachusetts farm family.  On their 80 acre farm in Dartmouth, MA they raise chickens, turkeys and Cornish games that spend their days faraging freely in the grass and sunshine.  In addition to raising all of their poultry in a healthy environment, with access to fresh greens, they are one of only a few farms in the state with a state-licensed on-farm processing facility allowing them to hand-butcher all of their poultry.  This means that they can ensure their birds are treated humanely and their customers receive the absolute freshest meat and eggs available.  For more information go to their website at copicutfarms.com.

Carlos V' Ramos will be joining us this coming Saturday, July 27th, as our musical entertainment.  BELD provides solar power for the sound system in an effort to keep the market earth friendly.  The market operates every Saturday from 9 to 1 outside the Braintree Town Hall, One JFK Memorial Dr., Braintree,  rain or shine, hot or cold.  In the event of extreme weather conditions the market is moved inside the Braintree Town Hall.  Join us at the market and find out why this market has a loyal following.  Now is the peak season for fresh, healthy, local produce.

The Cupcakerie is Back

Kristin Brennan is the Chief Cupcake Maker at The Cupcakerie

This season one of our loyal vendors that has been with the market since it's inception in 2009 is more popular than ever.  Meet Kristin Brennan from The Cupcakerie and known fondly by all at the market as 'The Cupcake Lady'.  Kristin lovingly creates all her gourmet cupcakes from scratch with local ingredients and seasonal flavors.  Some of her favorites are the Velvet Elvis, Lavender Bean, Shake your Coconuts and a Featured Flavor every month.  Her sampler sets of eight different flavors of mini cupcakes have been selling out every week so look for them early when you arrive at the market. This season Kristin has added freshly brewed coffee made from New Harvest coffee beans so you can have your morning 'cup of joe' as you stroll the market.  Iced coffee is also available-it's cluckin' awesome.

Looking for a quick, delicious recipe for all that kale that's coming in at the market?  Andrea Nahigian, who was at our Community Tent last week representing the American Diabetes Association, recommended this recipe to us.  It's kale chips that are light, crispy and flavorful and much healthier than potato chips.  Tear apart the leaves of the kale, spritz them with olive oil, lightly salt and add garlic powder for extra flavor.  Toss and spread them onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for ten minutes or so until crispy.  They're a delicious snack. 

Omega Olive Oils & Vinegars

Alex and Felicia Pakalnis serve samples of their olive oils and Balsamic vinegars.

This season the Braintree Farmers Market welcomes Omega Olive Oil, owned and operated by Felicia Pakalnis, to our vendor list.  The company is located in the South Shore where they are able to bring market shoppers the freshest olive oil made here in the United States.  All of their olive oils and vinegars are specially crafted in California.  Sample their new Black Currant Balsamic Vinegar, used in sauces, salads and dressings.  Drizzle it on any dessert, such as ice cream, cheesecake or summer fruits.  It's also delicious on angel food cake with fresh berries or on cottage cheese or yogurt.  It pairs nicely with their Blood Orange Olive or, for the more adventurous, their Chipotle Olive Oil.  Stop by and try these healthy accompaniments that will enhance your market purchases.

The Vermont Maple Syrup Company

Ben Howrigan and Joey Gaughan at The VT Maple Syrup tent.

This season at the Braintree Farmers Market visit our full-time maple syrup vendor led by Ben Howrigan.  The Vermont Syrup Company has been built off strong traditions of 6 previous generations.  Owned by Ryan, Sam, and Ben Howrigan, their family has producing Pure Vermont Maple Syrup in Fairfield, Vermont since 1876.  They offer certified organic syrups and other maple products that are sure to please all.  Try one their amazing products and it is sure to be love at first taste.  You can always come visit them at vermontsyrupcompany.com

The local strawberry harvest season has been very prolific this year so please drop by and pick up some of these succulent jewels before their gone.  Strawberries are described as a superfood because they are loaded with nutrient rich antioxidants like vitamin C which boosts your immune system.  They taste delicious and are good for your health.  The Massachusetts strawberry season is fleeting so get out and enjoy them while you can.

The Braintree Farmers Market operates Saturdays from 9 to 1 in front of the Braintree Town Hall, rain or shine, at One JFK Memorial Dr., Braintree.  In the case of severe weather the market moves inside the town hall.

Kids Day is Saturday June 29th, 2013

Matt & Morgan Stidham love the Braintree Farmers Market.

Just in time to join in with Braintree's Independence Day celebrations, the Braintree Farmer’s Market is hosting a Kids Day on Saturday, June 29th, from 9 to 1.  Along with our diverse array of farmers and vendors we will have many great kids activities to keep your little ones having fun at the market all morning.   The fun will conclude just in time for you to catch the July 4th parade as it passes by the Market.  The day’s festivities will kick off before the market opens at 8:15 with free Kids Zumba led by Bridget Keddy, owner of Bridget’s Dance Studio in Braintree.  Have your kids try out this fun form of exercise on the mall in front of the Braintree Town Hall.  Once the market opens at 9 am, we will have local musician Suzanne McNeil playing music from her upcoming children’s album “Just Like You”.  Suzanne is a soulful singer with a roots rock edge in her songwriting. She has been teaching children for the past ten years and is currently an elementary school music teacher.  Kids will be sure to have a blast with the ongoing activities under the big tent!  Tie Dying is back by popular demand.  We will have bandanas and backpacks available for the kids to create their own work of art or bring your own cotton t-shirt.  There is a minimal fee to cover the cost of materials.  Also, kids can complete our market scavenger hunt for a chance to win a Braintree Farmers Market T-Shirt while parents do their shopping.  Have fun searching for items sold at the market, while learning about healthy foods.  Win win!  Last but not least, the Thayer Public Library will be hosting two worm themed storytimes followed by a “wormy” craft.  Storytimes will start at 9:30 and 10:30.  Please arrive at the market early for this market to ensure you won't get stuck in parade traffic.  The parade starts at 11:45 and passes the market around noontime.  The Braintree Farmers Market is located in front of the Braintree Town Hall at 1 JFK Memorial Dr. Braintree.

Special events are sponsored in part by Sustainable Braintree and Braintree Electric Light Dept.

Strawberry Festival June 22nd 2013

Join us for Strawberry Shortcake as we celebrate the local strawberry harvest.

On Saturday, June 22nd, from 9 to 1, the Braintree Farmers Market is celebrating with a Strawberry Festival.  Farmers will have locally grown strawberries galore.  Enjoy freshly made Strawberry Shortcake under the events tent.  Live entertainment.

The Strawberry Festival is sponsored in part by Sustainable Braintree and Braintree Electric Light Dept.

Market Opens June 15th

Strawberry Festival is June 22nd

The Braintree Farmers Market is celebrating it's fifth season starting on June 15th, 2013 and will operate every Saturday from 9 to 1, rain or shine, at the Braintree Town Hall, 1 John F Kennedy Memorial Drive, Braintree, MA.  The market is located in the parking lot unless there is severe weather when it is moved inside the town hall.  Look for a wide variety of local farms and foods including freshly picked produce, baked goods, honey, eggs, meats, cheeses, sauces, vinegars, oils, soaps, preserves, wines, pasta, prepared foods, ice cream, granola, coffees, teas, Vermont maple syrup, body products, chocolate and more.  The market prides itself in being a one-stop shopping experience for local foods.

Special dates to remember are the Strawberry Festival on June 22nd that features delicious harvest of local strawberries from our farmers and Strawberry Shortcake whipped up by our very own Homestyle Caterers.  June 29th is Kids Day with tie dye, storytelling, crafts and more with the grand finale being Braintree's 4th of July Parade that marches right in front of the market.  Our famous Clam & Lobster Feast is August 31st when Fresh Catch Seafood sets up their kitchen and cooks up your fresh seafood to order.  Sept. 7th is Sustainable Braintree's Earth Celebration that includes displays and activities that will help you live a cleaner and greener lifestyle.  The last outdoor market for the season is Oct. 26th which is Make a Difference Day when you can help your friends and neighbors in need by donating gently used items to various, participating organizations.  In return for your efforts receive a free pumpkin grown by one of our farmers.  The big hoe-down of the year is the Indoor Thanksgiving Market on Nov. 23rd when all our vendors, plus a few more, celebrate the end of the harvest season inside the Braintree Town Hall.  All events are free.

Green Rewards Program at The Farmer's Garden

Use Green Rewards at The Farmer's Garden for freshly grown veggies.

Spring is here and it is time to start thinking about joining The Farmer's Garden Green Rewards debit card or join their CSA program.

The CSA Program will run for 12 weeks from July 11th - Sept. 26th.

CSA Green Rewards is a great option for members who don't like the unknown. The Green Rewards Program was designed to meet your needs. It is a pre-loaded debit card redeemable at their farm stand or any of their Farmer's Market locations for fruits and vegetables.

By pre-paying for a Green Rewards debit card, members can buy the exact type of produce they would normally use on a weekly basis throughout the season while still supporting the local farm by keeping labor costs down.  This allows The Farmer's Garden to pass a 15% savings bonus directly to you when you sign-up. The debit card starts with a minimum purchase of $100 (Valued at $115). You must pre-pay by July 1st to receive the 15% in savings. 

CSA Offerings by Second Nature Farm

Greens grown by Second Nature Farm.

Second Nature Farm is a 4-acre diversified fruit and vegetable farm in Norton, MA. Their nutrient-rich produce is Certified Naturally Grown, and the Farm abstains from using any chemical fertilizers, pesticides or fungicides. The Farm strives to put the creativity and fun back into eating, and as such cultivates many unique and colorful varieties of vegetables, both heirloom and hybrid.
Their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Program runs for the duration of the Braintree Farmers Market. Each week there are 1-2 "core" items that all CSA members receive, and 6-7 "you choose" items that members select from the farm's produce display.  This allows each member to customize their share so that it best fits the needs of the individual or family. 
For more information about the CSA, visit www.secondnaturefarm.com or email FarmerAdam: adam@secondnaturefarm.com

Sustainable Braintree Farmers Market News for 2013

Braintree Farmers Market location during the Blizzard of 2013.

The weather on the South Shore has been throwing us for a loop lately but, rest assured, plans are in the works for the 2013 Braintree Farmers Market 2013 season.  The market will be opening on Saturday, June 15th, from 9 to 1 at our location on JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree, MA.  The market will operate every Saturday thru October 26th with a Special Thanksgiving Market inside the Braintree Town Hall on November 23rd, 2013.

Planning for the next market season begins as soon as the market closes in November so we can ensure that each year will be better than the last.  We hope that all of our market supporters made it through the Blizzard of 2013 safe and sound and we look forward to seeing everyone again when the weather is more agreeable and the market opens in June.