Farmers Markets (Updated)

Above: Area Farmers Markets have all reopened in time for summer, some with changes. (Photos L-R from Facebook and by Beth Melo)

Farmers Market Season is officially in full swing.

While the markets offer a way to get fresh, local produce without growing it yourself, they tend to focus more on small businesses offering baked/prepared foods and artisan goods. Some add entertainment to make it a fun, family-friendly outing.

There aren’t any Farmers Markets currently offered in town. (Occasionally, Fay School offers a series – but that’s during the school year.) But we do have a market at a farm.

Chestnut Hill Farm is conveniently located on Chestnut Hill Road. They’ve spruced up the shopping space this summer, and it’s been rebranded from a Farm Stand to Store. But you can still find fresh, organic produce grown right there. Plus, the farm sells prepared foods from local vendors, and sometimes even farm raised meat.

The schedule is limited to a few days per week. Current hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 12:00 – 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. (The farm also offers a CSA program you can learn about here.)

For more communal markets, you don’t have to drive far to find one. There are Farmers Markets five days per week in a neighboring town, including two this afternoon. Below are the area options listed by day.

Thursdays:

Westborough Farmers Market – Thursdays from 2:00 – 6:00 pm (no end-date listed yet) at a new location with more room for parking – Congregation B’nai Shalom at 117 E. Main St, Westborough.

Vendors selling fresh food, prepared foods, hand crafted goods and more. Plus, musical acts and entertainment for kids. Check out today’s info right.

Framingham Farmers’ Market – Open Thursdays from 3:00 – 7:00 pm (plus at least one food truck will open at noon)  through September 29th on the Village Green/Center Common (60 Edgell Road).

The city has taken over this market and waived this year’s vendor fees. That’s helped them sign up two farms and over 40 food vendors and artisans. (But I can’t say how many are there on any given week.)

Saturdays:

Ashland Farmers Market – Open Saturdays from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm through October 15, on 125 Front Street. 

There are 15+ weekly vendors and another 20+ that alternate or exhibit occasionally. There are special themes throughout the summer. (There are no musical acts listed yet, but it appears they plan to add them.)

Marlborough Farmers Market – Open Saturdays from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm through September 3rd at Behind City Hall (19 Weed Street, Marlborough).

After a two year pause, the market has been rebooted with a new schedule and location. A fresh produce stand will source from different local farms each week. Plus there are food vendors, artisans, and small businesses.

Sundays: 

Eastleigh Farmer’s Market – Open Sundays 11:00 am – 4:00 pm through October 23rd at Eastleigh Farm, 1062 Edmands Rd, Framingham

Promoting fresh foods, handcrafts and more.

Hopkinton Farmers Market – Open Sundays from 1:00 – 5:00 pm through October 10, on the Hopkinton Common (corner of Marathon Way and Ash St).

The website offers a link to a weekly list of which food vendors and artisans are scheduled to show

Tuesdays:

Hudson Farmers’ Market – Open Tuesdays from 3:30- 6:30 pm through September 27 at Town Hall (78 Main Street).

Featuring about 15 vendors plus live music. (See this summer’s musical lineup right.)

Wednesdays:

Shrewsbury Farmers Market – Open Wednesdays from 2:30 – 6:30 pm through September 21 at Shrewsbury Senior Center Parking Lot, 98 Maple Ave.

Offering “fresh fruits and vegetables, local, grass fed, free range and antibiotic free meats including sausages, ground meats and cuts, eggs, honey, and maple products. Artisan breads and sweet baked goods, fudge, ice cream, jams and jellies. Hand crafted animal fibers, soaps, skin care, candles, art, and more!” No dogs allowed

Updated (7/7/22 3:31 pm): I updated the Westborough link since, as a commenter pointed out, it wasn’t working.