Autumn Vegetables are in at the Westford Farmers Market

The following content was submitted by Sustainable Westford. Email news@westfordCAT.org to submit your own content. Watch a video of the Farmers Market here: 

Autumn Vegetables Are In!

Fall crops are being harvested now. Visit our farm vendors for fresh Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, celeriac, turnips, winter squashes, spinach, winter-greens, leeks, apples, and lettuce. Stock up on items such as broccoli, which has a longer storage life than other vegetables.

Hawaiian Shaved Ice is Now NE Comfort Foods.

As NE Comfort Foods, this vendor will offer chili, mac ‘n’ cheese, chili/mac combo, & rotating clam or corn chowder. They also offer organic popcorn. If you have a Shaved Ice punch card, it will continue to be honored by offering one punch per purchase, or you can save the card for next year!

This Week’s Vendor List  –  Click here to view a full list of vendors attending this week. Note: Not all vendors will attend every Market.

Vendors Who Accept Credit Cards  –  Many of our vendors accept credit cards. A complete list of vendors accepting cards is here.

What Produce Is Available This Week?

Ever wonder what specific time of year is peak season for enjoying different kinds of delicious Massachusetts grown produce? The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources provides an easy-to-read month-by-month chart. Click here to find out what’s being harvested now, and visit this week’s Farmers Market to stock up on fresh, locally grown produce!

Help Wanted

 – Musicians for 2017 Market Season

The Westford Farmers Market is seeking professional Westford musicians for the 2017 season of the Market. Grant funding may be available. Please send name, contact info, and credentials to info@sustainablewestford.org.

Westford Academy Compost Operations Intern

Are you someone with a strong interest in sustainability, who enjoys working outdoors and mentoring students? The Sustainable Westford Compost Working Group is looking for a Compost Operations Intern to help manage the food scraps composting program at Westford Academy. Deadline for applications has been extended until September 30. Click here for more information and how to apply.

SNAP Bonus Bucks

Donate to the SNAP Bonus Bucks Program to encourage users of SNAP benefits to double their funds at the Westford Farmers Market. With your donation, families can spend their doubled SNAP dollars on healthy food from local farms and sustainable businesses. A Donation Box will be at the Market’s SNAP table. So far, we’ve raised $2,607 towards our $3000 goal! 100% of your donation goes directly to SNAP users. Click here to learn more about SNAP Bonus Bucks.

Vendor Specials and New Seasonal Products

Carolyn’s Farm Kitchen – They have some new seasonal products in addition to their handmade jams and farmhouse granola.

• Fresh Apple Cider Donuts (while they last)
• Dutch Apple Pie Jam (made with Carlson Orchard apples)
• Seasonal baking mixes including Pumpkin Tea Bread, Apple Crisp Mix, and Apple Cider Donut Mix

YouLove Bakery – Buy one of a limited batch of Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches and get any other flavor

Kids Face Painting and Paper Pumpkin Ornament Crafts – Free!

The children’s activities every week at the Market Tent are free face painting and crafts. This week’s craft, celebrating the beginning of Fall, will be colorful paper pumpkin ornaments (pictured) created using construction paper!

WA Team Fundraiser – Get a Fun, Temporary Tattoo!

The Market could not function without the help of our team of Westford Academy student volunteers. The volunteers are offering stylish temporary tattoos! Recommended donation of $2.00 per tattoo. The volunteers are raising funds for kids’ activity crafting supplies, the T-shirts they wear, and other needed supplies for this Market season.

Music and Performing Arts on the Common  –  Stop by the Gazebo to enjoy songs, music and performing arts from local musicians!

Crafter – Ukneek Knits

Cooler days are coming! Andrea Shamgocian of Ukneek Knits creates whimsical, one of a kind, scarfs, shawls, hats, mittens and blankets, knit by hand using only the finest yarns.

Education – Relay Power Community Solar

If you’re interested in using solar power, but your roof orientation or location won’t allow it, Relay Power offers a community solar program where you can obtain credit on your electric bill by using electricity produced by a local solar garden. Stop by their table at this week’s Market to learn more about going solar and decreasing your carbon footprint.

Health and Wellness – Corrective Care Chiropractic

Drs. David and Carla Leclerc of Corrective Care Chiropractic are a husband and wife team who have been helping people from Westford and surrounding communities live healthier lives since 2006. They’ll be back at the Farmers Market this Tuesday, providing chiropractic evaluations and answering questions about their practice.

Kelli’s H Work’s – This week’s Market welcomes Kelli’s H Work’s Inc., a natural health and wellness company that sells plant-based health products with no artificial flavors or dyes. They offer high quality skin care products, greens, essential oils and all natural vitamins and supplements.

Non – Profits

- BeTheMatch

BeTheMatch is a bone marrow registry. Bone marrow donations are needed for people with blood-related cancers such as leukemia. If you are over 18 and want to join the donor registry, visit their table at the Market and get a cheek swab. Once registered, you will then be part of the bone marrow registry. If you match a patient who is in need, you will be contacted and can decide, at that time, whether or not you want to donate.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell

Representatives from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell will be at the Market to provide details about their affordable homeownership & critical home repair programs as well as events coming up this Fall. There will also be ‘cornhole for a cause’ and a ‘playhouse’ art project for the kids. Visit their table to find out more about their Builders Blueprint Brunch (October 6th) and their Women in Philanthropy Event (November 30th).

Westford Health Department and Upper Merrimack Valley MRC

Westford Health Department and the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation will provide preventative educational materials on numerous topics including tick and mosquito borne illnesses and free sunscreen. In celebration of Emergency Preparedness Month, information on a new town registry for vulnerable populations will be available and residents can purchase 72 hour emergency kits for their convenience. Visit their table at the Market for more information.
Upper Merrimack Valley MRC is an emergency response unit run through the Westford Health Department. Both medical and non medical volunteers welcomed. Stop by their table and find out about the unit and how you can help your community in time of need. Emergency preparedness information will also be available.