HOLYOKE – Although off to a slow start, due mostly to the brutal, early-summer weather, the folks in charge of the Holyoke Farmers Market are looking forward to the rest of the season.
“We have room for growth,” Lisa Totz, interim director of the Greater Holyoke Chamber said. “We have lots of great vendors, but the weather has not been the most cooperative. We did not get to move our market outdoors at the senior center for the first three weeks. (Last Tuesday) was our first day outdoors. The first two weeks we had torrential downpours and the third week we had 103 degrees.”
The Chamber runs the market and partners with the Holyoke Senior Center to host on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and with the Holyoke Medical Center on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market runs weekly through Sept. 30 at the senior center and Oct. 1 at the medical center.
Totz said it’s crucial that the market be held outdoors on Tuesdays because if the weather forces the market inside, it can only run from 9 a.m. to noon since the senior center has another event scheduled in the available space.
“We’ve also had a lot of comments about not being downtown, but we have a sign at PVTA that says the markets are at these two locations,” Totz said. “The PVTA does service both of the markets, so that’s helpful because transportation is a concern. Not everybody. has the ability to get places.”
Totz has been overseeing the market during a transition period, only taking over since the tail end of the winter season. She recently hired Dede MacDonald as the market manager.
A visit to the Holyoke Medical Center on Pine Street last Wednesday found a number of vendors set up in the lower parking lot.
D & R Farm out of Hampden is a prime anchor for the market offering fresh produce as well as meat, eggs, jams and much more. Nightjar Farm and Genaro Farms are also major vendors in the fresh produce department and their stock will steadily grow as more crops come into season throughout the summer and early fall.
Other vendors on hand last Wednesday included Orlowski Gardens selling plants and flowers as well as Kathy Paul cookies and the Bread Basket with fresh baked goods.
Two food trucks – Classic Grille and Batch Ice Cream – were also in attendance as the market is a popular lunch destination for people who work at the medical center.
Totz said she has a list of about 30 vendors between the two locations and that it varies from week-to-week which vendors are in attendance.
“It’s a rotational thing,” Totz said, emphasizing that she doesn’t want days when multiple vendors offer the same or similar products.
The market accepts SNAP and HIP benefits.
“We’re asking the people to support the community to keep these farmers going,” Totz said “Having the ability to farm locally is important. The SNAP and HIP benefits actually go back by the state of Massachusetts.”
The HIP benefit, the state’s Healthy Incentive Program, used to provide up to $80 a month to purchase fresh produce, depending on family size. That dropped to a maximum of $20 in December, but was just doubled to $40 at least for the month of July.
“There’s extra revenue because it’s driving people to support local,” Totz said. “I don’t know how long that is guaranteed. With all of the budget cuts happening all around us, we have no idea.”
Totz said the Holyoke Farmers Market has funded its loyalty card program with the assistance of Greenfield Cooperative Bank and Holyoke Medical Center. Marketgoers will receive one punch per household per day after a purchase. After 10 punches the card can be redeemed for a $10 voucher.
“Support local,” Totz said. “People are investing their livelihood here and they care about our community and that’s why they’re here. And we’d love to have you support them as well. So join us.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
