in the news: Farmers’ markets return for the season across the Seacoast

from the Portsmouth Herald >

Farmers’ markets return for the season across the Seacoast

April 24, 2008 5:39 PM

PORTSMOUTH — The weekly farmers’ market in Portsmouth opens Saturday, May 3, bringing Seacoast residents and visitors another season of shopping just a short, gas-saving walk or bike ride from downtown. Fifteen new, independent businesses have joined Seacoast Growers’ Association in its 32nd year — a growth of 36 percent from 2007 — so the selection will be better than ever.

Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the City Hall lot on Junkins Avenue, fresh and local produce, flowers and garden plants, meats and cheeses, breads and pastries, fine crafts and more are available. Stock up on groceries, enjoy a live musical performance, and buy a gift for your mom … all in one stop!

Opening Ceremonies will be held the second week of the market, May 10, with a special ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. by Portsmouth Mayor Tom Ferrini, attended by City Manager John Bohenko and members of the City Council. The week’s live music will be provided by American Flyer, a collection of instruments and vocals on classic and contemporary Bluegrass, originals and covers. Other entertainment for the month is: Random Acts of Harmony, May 3; Taylor River Band, May 17; Jonathan Blakeslee, May 24; and The Reef Band, May 31.

Additional weekday markets in Dover, Durham, Exeter, Hampton and Kingston are open the first week of June through mid-October. The Dover farmers’ market, in particular, has grown and now boasts extended hours. Open weekly until 6 p.m., it has moved to the parking lot of McIntosh College’s Atlantic Culinary Academy, 181 Silver St., where a total of 15 weekly vendors will provide farm-fresh produce, fine crafts and gourmet foods.

(Dover: Wednesdays starting June 4, 2:30-6 p.m., McIntosh College’s Atlantic Culinary Academy parking lot, 181 Silver St.; Durham: Mondays starting June 2, 2:30-5:30 p.m., Durham traffic circle, Pettee Brook parking lot; Exeter: Thursdays starting June 5, 2:30-6 p.m., Swasey Parkway; Hampton: Tuesdays starting June 3, 3:00-6 p.m., Route 1, across from the post office; Kingston: Tuesdays starting June 3, 2:30-5:30 p.m., Main Street.)

The average American eats food that’s traveled 1,500 miles from field to plate. Who wants to be average? Shop local, enjoy the flavor, meet your neighbors, and reduce your carbon footprint. For details and directions, visit www.seacoastgrowers.org.

Seacoast Growers’ Association is a state-registered nonprofit organization representing 57 local small businesses. SGA works closely with Slow Food Seacoast, Seacoast Eat Local, and Seacoast Local, all of whom can be found every Saturday at the market booth. A hotline listing in-season produce and weekly special events can be reached 24 hours a day at 658-0280. For details and directions, visit www.seacoastgrowers.org.

Portsmouth Herald article >

This entry was posted on April 26, 2008 at 8:02 am and is filed under farmers' markets, eating locally in the media, sources of local food. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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