Health & Fitness
Egleston Market Considers Summer Expansion
Egleston Farmers Market, the popular new indoor winter market, is conducting a survey to find out if residents would be interested in a summer farmers market.
The Egleston Farmers Market, Jamaica Plain’s first indoor winter market, is considering a summer season.
The market, which launched November 10 and runs every Saturday from 11am – 2pm through February, has been popular. After a huge opening day with over 1,000 attendees, the market has consistently attracted around 500 visitors.
“The rumors are true,” market manager and cofounder Kate Peppard said. “We’re considering expanding into the summer months. We’ve asked our vendors and they’re excited about it, so if we have community support, we’ll open up again in June.”
Find out what's happening in Jamaica Plainwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The market has set up an online survey to gauge interest in shopping at a summer market and which days and hours are preferred. Volunteers are also distributing surveys at the market.
In addition to several different produce vendors, Egleston Farmers Market features meat, fish, cheese, eggs, pickles, fresh pasta, prepared Mediterranean foods, bread, cookies, cupcakes, and chocolate. A food truck is parked in the lot each week, and the market offers complimentary coffee, sponsored by different coffee vendors, including Equal Exchange, Fazenda, Canto 6, and ULA Café.
Find out what's happening in Jamaica Plainwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In addition to welcoming EBT/SNAP users, the market now accepts credit/debit cards for all. And Go Local Metro Boston is offering weekly deals for card holders, such as discounts on cheeses, winter squash, bread, and pork chops.
The market is also a community gathering place, with weekly musical entertainment by JP artists, coordinated by Guy Mendilow. In addition, artists and volunteers take turns staffing a children’s craft area.
Various local nonprofits and businesses have also been at the market, such as I’m Solar Hot, Viridian energy service provider, Agricultural Hall, and different visual artists each week.
“If we open in the summer, we’ll expand into the parking lot and be able to offer even more types of foods and art,” Peppard said. “So please fill out the survey and let us know if you’re interested in a summer market."
The survey can be accessed here. Participants who enter their email address will have a chance to win $20 in market dollars.
The Egleston Farmers Market is a community-led initiative to make fresh, healthy, locally-grown food accessible throughout the year, bring people from all parts of Jamaica Plain together, and support the local economy.