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Brother and sister hoping to launch Pembroke farmers market
| Brother and sister hoping to launch Pembroke farmers market |
| Written by Becca Manning |
| Friday, 14 August 2009 09:42 |
|
I's not difficult to find fresh produce around Pembroke. Whether you have a taste for blueberries or need to scare up a good carving pumpkin, there are plenty of roadside stands to choose from. Now a pair of Pembroke siblings is hoping to bring these local growers together, along with a few newcomers, to give the town its own farmers market. "Farmers markets are just so much fun," said Christine Falk, who is spearheading the project with her brother, Matt York. "It's a fun thing to go and take your family to and buy fresh fruits and vegetables that you know are coming from this town or the next town over." Falk said she started gardening when she moved to Pembroke about three years ago and began buying local produce when she saw all that Pembroke growers offered. York moved to Pembroke shortly after and also began noticing all the produce stands scattered throughout town. "We saw farmers markets popping up in other towns, and we both had started going to them and thought it would be something good for Pembroke," he said. "We just through there might be an appetite for it, and we'll see if there is." Groups in Hanson, Hanover and Duxbury all recently launched their own farmers markets and, so far, have had great success, York said. Like those markets, Pembroke's venture would be held weekly starting around July 4 through the end of September and would feature about 10-15 vendors selling fresh vegetables, herbs, plants and flowers as well as handmade jewelry or clothing. A market manager would oversee the event, guided by rules laid out by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture. Markets are typically insured through the Massachusetts Federation of Farmers Markets, with the insurance cost paid through vendors' fees, York said. The two brought their proposal to selectmen Monday night, one of the first steps on the road to opening a Pembroke market next summer. "We wanted to make sure the town would be OK with it before we went any further," Falk said. York said he and his sister had looked at the Town Green and Magoun Field as possible market locations but were open to suggestions from town officials. Though Town Green could be a busy spot during the week, Falk said she liked the idea of holding the market there. "I think it would create a really good atmosphere for the town center, just liven it up a little. I's always fun when you see things going on up there," she said. Town Administrator Ed Thorne said he would work with them to figure out the best site and schedule for the market and to develop an agreement with the town. Selectmen also voiced support for the project. "It sounds like a good idea tha's going to support the local farmers, which is really needed," Bill Boulter said. Lew Stone said he thought the market was a great idea. "I think it would add to the color of the town. I definitely would like to see it happen," he said. With plans in the early stages, Falk and York are in need of help on the project and welcome volunteers. Falk said they will have to start finding vendors now so farmers can prepare to sell next summer. Once the market is established, Falk said she would like to grow the community program even more. "I would love to see this go to the next level of educating kids on gardening and eating healthy," she said. "They have the whole Farm to School program, getting local growers to sell to school systems. Kingston's doing it, and I'd love to see it happen in Pembroke." Having moved from an urban community to Pembroke, Falk said she believes the town has a lot to offer, both in space and in grassroots, community volunteerism. "People have the space here for gardening. It should be encouraged," she said. "There's nothing bad about eating healthy and taking care of your land." |