farmers' markets Wed/Thurs?

[newhound]

I have a few rare weekdays off and want to get out of my Sunday Harvard Square routine. I think there is a Thursday market in Belmont, and was looking for others over the next couple of days.
What's out there this fall?

[kweesee]

thurs @ coolidge corner

[gini]

I like Arlington on Wednesdays, though Davis Square is nothing to scoff at. Coolidge Corner's is very, very good too.

[lisa13]

there is a new market in medford square on Thursdays - busa farms and hmong farms for beautiful veggies, a coffee vendor, a couple bakeries, an italian stand (fresh pasta and prepared meals), a place that has home-made condiments, and there is usually live music of some sort.

river street, 2 - 7 pm, which makes it doable after work. I've had good experiences every time I go.

[buffet king]

It's the first year for the Medford Square Farmers Market. Hopefully they can attract more vendors for next year and double in size. There was a line at the Busa Farm stand last Thursday. Everyone was buying their fresh picked corn ($6) a dozen and tomatoes. They had several bushels of corn last week that looked very good. I already had corn at home. I got a bunch of carrots and a bunch of green swiss chard.

[lisa13]

I had the corn last week and we almost died it was so good - very sweet, but with a more distinct corn flavor. Usually good corn seems to be *just* sweet (which is not at all bad) but this extra flavor was SO good. Also, Busa's white nectarines from last week were the best I have ever had - no kidding. Hard as a rock when I picked 'em out, but absolutely insanely delicious a few days later.

drool

[Aromatherapy]

I like both Davis and Arlington on Wednesday. If I had a Thursday off I would check out Brookline first. Medford Sq. has one on Thursdays but it's small, really for locals.

[foodperv]

can i ask a dumb question here
what if any is the difference bewteen going to one of these and say going to a place like WILSON'S FARM

[newhound]

Wilson Farms carries a lot of their own produce, but they also sell produce that they get through wholesalers and other farms. They are aimed at being a "regular market that grows some of their own stuff". Verrill Farm is like this too, though they seem to have proportionally more of their own stuff. A "farmers' market" (the kind I'm asking about) sets up in some urban/suburban space for a day or a few hours, and you are dealing directly with the growers. Some farms may only bring a small selection, others will bring many items. For me, it's all good but I like to put money right in the hands of small producers; it enables some of them to stay viable. Generally, the produce is fresher, more carefully handled, and the experience of going is fun. I use Wilson Farm and Verrill regularly as well, but going in there on a Sunday afternoon is like a game of rollerderby with shopping carts.

Thanks for all the rec's--

[macca]

I use Wilsons for all of my produce. All of the farmers markets seem to happen while I am at work- and at Wilsons' it is one stop shopping for produce that I know will be good. ALso have had good luck with their meats, baked goods (scones are wonderful) and even some of their prepared items. If you are able to get there on a Saturday am, you will have no problem. I am usually in and out of there in 15 minutes or so on a Saturday am. Have only been to verril Farms once- good tomato selection, but I prefer Wilsons.

[foodperv]

i get it well the arlington one is on my day off and i got about a month to try it out
i live in the lowell area but i think it will be worth the ride to at least give it a try
thanks
btw does the arlington one have baked goods etc as the medford one does

[gini]

Arlington has the Danish Party house and Hi-Rise.

[lisa13]

those are the same vendors that medford hosts - they are both GREAT

[BaileysMom521]

There was one in Lawrence but it doesn't seem to be on the list this year. Melrose is always good. Here's another link with a few more...http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/far...

[JudyHP]

Maybe you can do a "Farmers Market Crawl". Kendall Square has a really nice one, not a huge amount of vendors, but high quality. You could have a picnic lunch there - there is also jazz concert every Thursday, and tables/chairs. Then make your way to Brookline!
http://www.kendallsquare.org/farm.html

[ginnyhw]

I think you will love the Brookline Market - lots of vendors and a big selection. Just bear in mind that it doesn't open until 1:30 Thursday afternoon.

[cambridgejen]

I really like the Belmont market. They have maybe 12-15 vendors and a wide variety of product, meats, cheeses, breads, and misc items. I know that Arlington's is on Wednesdays but I haven't been there to check it out.

[BostonZest]

On Wednesday & Thursday you can hit two on the green linetif you want .

City Hall has a small market with a few very good producers. And, they have the Danish Pastry House if you want sweets.

Here's a list of vendors for city hall.
http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/t-bostoncityhall-vendors.aspx

And, on Thursday you can go to Coolidge Corner for one of the great markets.

http://www.town.brookline.ma.us/Farme...

[almansa]

There's a Thursday market in Melrose where I've had a good deal of success. You can access it through the Shaws parking lot on W. Foster. (I think.)

[Chris VR]

It's my local farmer's market and I've had some nice produce from there, but there are only 2 or 3 vendors there, and only one of them has a lot of selection. You need to get there early (market opens at 10) for the best selection. I went to the Harvard Square market once and it was SO much better- Melrose's market has no potted plants, breads, cheeses or meats (although I do know that Houde Family Farm, which has a meat CSA in Melrose, is in discussion with the market manager to maybe sell their meats there once a month.)

It's the City Hall parking lot, which you can access either via Main Street (next to Memorial Hall) or from the Shaw's parking lot on Essex Street (as almansa mentioned) or from the driveway between the post office and City Hall, also on Essex Street.

A friend was just showing me the lovely heirloom tomatoes she got last week at the Arlington Farmer's Market, which is on Wednesdays according to this link: http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/t-a...

[Pat Hammond]

I arrived in Arlington for a visit last Wednesday and stopped by the Farmer's Market first thing! Yes, the tomatoes are wonderful, Concord grapes were so good, really big ones. "Ed's" stand at one end had some of the best corn I've had this season. There's a purveyor of fish where we've bought before. The quality is top notch. My daughter-in-law will often call ahead to be sure what she wants is available. I'm so envious of this resource and this is the prime time of year to go.