RI Department of Environmental Management
For Release: November 18, 2011
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
FOUR INDOOR WINTER FARMERS’ MARKETS OFFER RHODE ISLANDERS A WIDE VARIETY OF LOCAL PRODUCTS FOR PURCHASE
New Market to Open at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol on Saturday, November 19
PROVIDENCE – Beginning this weekend, Rhode Islanders will have four winter farmers’ markets available where they can purchase a wide variety of locally-grown and produced products. The Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Agriculture and the USDA/Rural Development Council are helping to sponsor the indoor farmers’ markets through the “Get Fresh. Buy Local.” statewide campaign aimed at promoting awareness of and interest in buying RI-grown specialty crops.
Starting on November 19, the new Mount Hope Farmers’ Market at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol will be open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Among the many products that will be available at this market are locally-raised meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, Alpaca felted items, freshly-baked breads, Italian cookies, coffee, honey, herbs, granola, and bags crafted from recycled materials. Vendors participating in this market include Windmist Farm, Moonlight Rose Alpaca, Mapleville Farm, The Local Catch, The Coffee Guy, Aquidneck Honey, Farmacy Herbs, Wholly Granola, Sacs De Chiffon, Provencal Bakery, and Wishing Stone Farm. The Mount Hope market is located at 250 Metacom Avenue in Bristol, and will be open through May 5th. Market manager Ainsley Chew may be reached at (802) 279-8389 or by email at ainsleychew@hotmail.com.
The South Kingstown Indoor Winter Farmers’ Market in the Peace Dale Mill Complex at 1425 Kingstown Road (Route 108) in Peace Dale is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Now in its third year, this market is an outgrowth of the South Kingstown farmers’ market that operates at URI’s East Farm and at Marina Park from May through October. This indoor winter market will feature a cornucopia of locally-grown and produced products, including seasonal vegetables and fruits, cornmeal, breads, harvest decorations, eggs, honey, maple syrup, candles, jams, RI wool blankets and yarns, artisan soaps, oilcloth bags, RI raised beef, pork, lamb, chicken, oysters, fish, baked goods, pottery, woodcrafts, and dog biscuits.
Among the farms and vendors participating in the South Kingstown market are South County Honey, Sosnowski Farm, Carpenters Farm, Browning Homestead, S&P Gardiner Farm, The Reynolds Barn, Red Horse Farm, Caboose Kettle Corn, MIO Bags, Mitzpah Farm, Matunuck Oysters Farm, Baffoni’s Poultry Farm, Hills Orchard, RI Spa Products, Barefoot Diversified, Great Harvest Bread Company, Kelly Kreations Pottery, Provencal Bakery, McCormick & Wojnar Hydroponic Farm, Jack’s Snacks, Catboat Jon’s Wooden Buckets, Dave-Chris Farm, New England Raised Beef, and Manna Farm. For more information about the South Kingstown Indoor Winter Farmers’ Market call 789-1388 or 789-1144, or visit its website at www.southkingstownfarmersmarket.org.
The Coastal Growers/Winter Farmers’ Market in North Kingstown at Lafayette Mill on Route 102, just west of Wickford in North Kingstown, is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April 7th. Throughout the summer and fall, the Coastal Growers Market operates on Saturdays at Casey Farm in Saunderstown. Many of the long-term growers who participate in the farmers’ market at Casey Farm are taking part in the winter market in North Kingstown including Absalona Greenhouse, Barden Family Orchard, Besto Pesto, Bravo Wood Fired Pizza, The Chocolate Delicacy, Casey Farm, The Coffee Guy, The Cupcakerie, Farming Turtles, Farmstead Cheese, Jack’s Snacks – A Dog Bakery, The Local Catch, Matunuck Oyster Farm, Narragansett Creamery, Olga’s Cup and Saucer, Pat’s Pastured Meats, Poblano Farm, Providence Granola Project, Rhode Island Spa Products, Robin Hollow Farm, The Reynolds Barn, Seven Stars Bakery, Susanna’s Ice Cream, Tallulah on Thames, Wishing Stone Farm, Windmist Farm, and Zephyr Farm. Shoppers will be able to purchase a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, cheeses, naturally raised meats, breads and baked goods, fresh eggs, preserves, honey, maple syrup, chocolate, local seafood, ice creams, flowers, wreaths, soaps, coffee, and handmade pizza for lunch.
For additional information about the Coastal Growers/Winter Farmers’ Market, contact Bevan Linsley by email at coastalmarket@gmail.com.
The Farm Fresh RI Wintertime Farmers’ Market at Hope Artiste Village at 1005 Main Street in Pawtucket is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Now in its fifth year, the market specializes in fresh, locally-grown and produced food including fruits, vegetables, baked goods, eggs, meats, fish, shellfish, artisan chocolate, granola, coffee, jams, jellies, and prepared lunch items. The Saturday market operates from November through May, and hosts 60 local farms and food producers. This year’s new vendors and products include micro-greens and lettuces from New Urban Farmers; vegan cupcakes, cookies, bars, pies and pastries from Miss Vegan; wild oysters, live crabs, filleted and smoked fish from The Local Catch; and organic sweet and dried cranberries and cranberry sauce from The Edible Yard.
On Wednesdays, market-goers can purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, organic meat, and locally-inspired prepared dishes. Among the vendors participating in the Wednesday market are McCormick & Wojnar Farm, which offers hydroponically grown greens, tomatoes, and peppers; India Restaurant, offering a variety of savory dishes; and Simmons Farm, which offers organic beef, pork, lamb, and goat. Also on Wednesdays, chefs from Johnson & Wales University will present “Veggin’ Out” cooking demos using locally-grown produce. For more information about the Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers’ Market, contact Sarah Lester at 312-4250 or www.farmfreshri.org.
