CHICOPEE — Center Fresh Farmers Market has returned to Chicopee Center for another year but this time at Lucy Wisniowski Memorial Park, 32 Chestnut St.
The market started on June 6 and will take place every Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m. until Oct. 31. It usually is rain or shine unless an extreme weather situation takes place due to heat or a thunderstorm, according to Farmer’s Market Manager Erin Sewell.
The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce organizes the market to give back to Main Street businesses by contributing to a vibrant community downtown.
Each week there are anywhere from 15 to 20 vendors who sell vegetables, agricultural products, prepared foods and crafts, along with food trucks and live music. The Chicopee Public Library also has its bookmobile at the event certain weeks.
The vendor list, along with more information, can be found at www.facebook.com/centerfreshchicopee.
Center Fresh also offers a dollar-for-dollar SNAP match up to $10 for EBT card holders. There are also boxed lunches from Cote’ Cooks for $5 that includes a sandwich, cookie, a juice box, snack and a piece of fruit.
“They are purchasable with SNAP points so that’s definitely something that will be helpful for the kids who aren’t benefiting from the free lunch program right now,” Sewell added.
Sewell, who is also from Dusty Goat Farm, said it is amazing to be able to bring together all the different vendors and other programs from Chicopee and surrounding businesses in Western Massachusetts.
“We have all these people they just needed to be put in the same spot at the same time and it made a huge difference. It just took a little bit of fresh eyes to see what that area really needed and what the potential was, especially that park. That park is amazing and it’s really underutilized. It’s got a splash pad, its got a really nice basketball court and the city has been doing a good job of maintaining it. It’s kind of the hidden gem so even more attention to that part of the town is really good,” she said.
As part of Farmer’s Market Week, the Chicopee Farmer’s market on Thursday, Aug. 8 will include special activities such as face painting, activities for the kids and a $20 match for SNAP instead of the usual $10.
Sewell said there is a parking lot at the park and to bring some reusable bags and to wear shoes that you are comfortable doing some walking in.
She added, “It’s beautiful and make sure you have some time to enjoy the music and the whole environment because it’s like a whole ecosystem over there. Farmers market culture is different than any culture than you ever experienced. It’s more of a community engaged thing.”
Besides being a great way to get out of the house and discover new business, Sewell talked about the great part of attending a farmers market.
She said, “You can get all of your fresh fruits and vegetables locally, you can support farms, you can meet some really friendly people to learn something. There’s just so many different dimensions at Farmers Market. There’s good community, we have an excellent and welcoming community there. It’s a nice environment with live music and an experience in itself.”
The Center Fresh Farmers Market has been around for a few years and Sewell said it was originally in reference to the coronavirus pandemic and the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables around at the time. Even though many businesses have sprouted up around the center, Sewell said there still in a need for the farmers market.
She added, “It really was a food desert. Since then, we’ve had the Key Food over there and then Fruit Fair expanded their growing and offering variety so that helped to bring more stuff into the center but there still is a huge need over there. There are still a ton of families and residents over there so the food really needed to go there and that is why we set up over there.”
Sewell added that any questions can be sent to the Center Fresh Chicopee Facebook or Instagram as she is frequently checking to make sure she can answer any concerns
