Keeping it Cool at a Wintertime Market

by Clare Leschin-Hoar, Posted Jan 11th 2010 @ 3:00PM

No matter how low the mercury dips, Boston locavores still hope for a year-round farmer's market, like Seattle's dreamy Pike Place Market or Cleveland's treasured Westside Market. But the fact is, groups like the Boston Public Market (founded in 2001 to achieve that goal) have yet to make that vision a reality, despite years of fund-raising and public ribbon-cutting celebrations.

But there's been no dithering for Boston's vibrant neighbor to the south. Farm Fresh Rhode Island, a not-for-profit whose mission is to promote locally grown food, is in its third season of its Wintertime Farmer's Market at Hope Artist Village in Pawtucket on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through May.

This bustling market of 45 farmers and artisanal food vendors makes eating off the grid easy, even during bleak New England winter months. Tables are heaped high with hearty produce like baby beets, white turnips, winter greens, Brussels sprouts still on their stalks, sweet parsnips, crisp apples and plenty of visually interesting goodies too, like Romanesco cauliflower or watermelon radishes.

The focus stays on local, but expands well beyond simply vegetables. You'll find locally produced milk from Christensen's Dairy and hand-crafted cheese from Narragansett Creamery. Pat's Pastured provides farm-fresh eggs and pasture-raised chicken, lamb and pork. There's superb grass-fed beef from Aquidneck Farms (whose Angus cattle enjoy better ocean views than most of us), and sustainable farm-raised oysters and clams from Matunuck Oyster Farm round out this unique Saturday morning market.

Hometown restaurants with a strong commitment to locally-produced foods are welcomed partners too. Artisan cheeses (and gooey grilled cheese sandwiches) are offered by Farmstead, while crusty breads and tasty pastries are provided by Olga's Cup & Saucer and Seven Stars Bakery. There's room for small specialty start-ups too, from sugared pecans to gourmet ketchup. But good luck keeping those impulse buys to a minimum. Just when you think you're done, the Bomster Scallop booth beckons and you're compelled to break-out your wallet again.

Filed Under: Farming, Trends, Events
Tags: boston, locavore, rhode island, winter