The farmers markets are bringing some exciting new changes this season (and we’re not just talking about the newest veggie options). We have extended our Saturday hours to 1 pm! Markets will take place this season Wednesdays 2-6 pm and Saturdays 8 am – 1 pm at the Palmer Lot on Main St in downtown Chelsea. Opening day is Saturday April 30 (finish your Mother’s Day shopping) and Wednesday May 4. Keep a look out for our Market Kickoff dinner/fundraiser in April.

Many of our vendors offer Community Supported Agriculture programs, or CSA’s. Customers pay up front at the beginning of the year to receive a weekly box full of a variety of products that are grown by the farmer. CSAs emphasize the community aspect of farming. There is a strong relationship between the farmer and the CSA members, who are closely involved in the process of producing their food. Paying upfront allows the farmer to avoid going into debt, while the members gain a connection and familiarity with their food source. See below for CSA shares and their descriptions that you can pick up right here at the market in downtown Chelsea.

Saturdays

Frog Hollar Farms – fruits and vegetables (charfie@ameritech.net) Each member will receive a bag of fresh, premium, all natural fruits and vegetables each week. The season is 21 weeks from May 28^th through October 22^nd. We offer three options, single share, 1/2share and full share. Prices range from $235.00 for a single share(about 1/4 bushel which serves 1-2 people) to $405.00 (about 2/3 bushel which serves a family of 4+).
Goetz Greenhouse – vegetables (salgoetz@gmail.com) Half bushel quantity generally offered each week. Exact volume will vary with the season. For example, greens, peas and fine vegetables will dominate in June while bulkier vegetables like melons and squash will exceed 1/2 bushel later in September and October. Shares will include a nice, diverse selection of at least 5 items per week.
Robin Hills Farm – vegetables (mitzi@robinhillsfarm.com) Our share size is intended to feed an average family of four, or two voracious vegetable eaters. For a family of four, the per-person cost is less than $1.30/day for fresh, organic, and local produce you can find! Half shares are available for smaller families at 1/2 the price and will be full-sized but picked up every other week. Travel in the summer? We also offer a “vacation hold” discount for up to 4 weeks if scheduled pre-season.
Tantre Farm – vegetables (tantrefarm@hotmail.com) Members will receive weekly distributions of fresh, organic produce for 20 weeks from the last week of May through the middle of October for $640. The quantity and variety will vary with the time of year and the weather. Shares picked up on the farm in Chelsea will be available on Wednesdays and Fridays. A “share” feeds 2 people generously or a family of 4 with small children. Weekly newsletters, which list produce, recipes, and other farm information, will be available too. We also offer u-pick opportunities for some produce which members may want to buy in bulk and/or preserve. Many opportunities for community building exist with various farm events, kid days, cooking classes, and volunteer days.
Two Tracks Acres – chicken and pork (twotracksacres@gmail.com) Choose between chicken, pork, or a combination of the two. Pickup runs from June – November. Each pork share is approximately 5 lbs and the chickens are whole birds. Meat comes frozen, each week or every other week depending on your preference. We raise animals outside on pasture and do not use hormones or antibiotics.

Wednesdays

Family Circle Centennial Farm – vegetables (familycirclefarm@gmail.com) Our Family Shares are enough to fee 2-4 adults comfortably, while the Single Share is more geared for 1-2 adults. Family shares will pick up weekly and Single Shares pick up a family share worth of food every other week. We are committed to raising a variety of yummy heirloom and hybrid crops and are open to suggestions from members. We will run 16-20 weeks – weather dependent and hope to have “extras” ie: honey, maple syrup, fruit, eggs, meat and the like from other farms/farmers in the area.
Marks Farm – vegetables (marksdeb1952@yahoo.com) Marks Farms has been family owned and operated since 1974. In 2007, Marks Farms expanded to raise beefalo, a cross between beef cattle and buffalo. In 2006, Marks Farms again expanded to help serve the community by using 10 acres to grow vegetables and sell at Farmers Markets and now offer a CSA program. While not certified organic, we practice sensible farming with low impact to the environment.
Needle Lane Farms – vegetables (needlelane@tc3net.com) Needle-Lane Farms was started in 2003 with the goal of providing the best fresh produce to our local community. We currently have 8+ acres in production of over 200 varieties of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. We grow all of our own transplants in our 3 heated greenhouses and utilize 4 unheated hoophouses for season extension. Our farming practices have always been sustainable and followed the National Organic Plan (NOP). However we are currently applying for organic certification through OEFFA and expect to have it sometime in 2015. We pride ourselves on having a highly diverse ecosystem on our 70 acres. To that end there are native plantings, bee hives, chickens, cows, mushroom logs, fruit trees, berries, and Christmas trees all growing.
Pregitzer Farm Market – vegetables (pregitzerfarms@gmail.com) Our vision is to be a sustainable farm. Our mission is to offer the best fresh from the farm produce possible. Our goal is to educate communities about farm life, eating local, and fun on the farm. To do this we will continue to stand by our reputation for exceptional customer service and the best produce around! We will plan field trips, festivals, private parties, and events. Tours of our farm are gladly offered and encouraged. We offer full, half, and every other week shares. CSA runs July – October.

Chelsea Farmers Market is looking for volunteers to participate in our program planning committee. Help us organize activities and get involved in the community. Contact coordinator@chelseafarmersmkt.org if interested.

The farmers market is seeking community partners to participate on Wednesdays or Saturdays to help us build a community around health and wellness. Partner organizations will have your own tent and host an activity while educating customers about your organization. Preferably nonprofit, wellness or education based. Our goal is to create a fun, interactive atmosphere at the market to promote healthy lifestyles. Activities could include kids events, gardening, craft projects, education about eating well… the sky’s the limit.

We are also looking for organizations interested in co-sponsoring our “Eating in Season” festivals once a month. Your group would provide the volunteers and run the tent while serving an in season food that the market chooses to highlight – strawberries, pumpkins, corn, melons, or tomatoes. Your group will get to keep the proceeds from the event and advertise your organization. The market will help with supplies and implementation. These festivals educate our community about eating seasonally, tasting the many varieties and flavors our vendors have to offer, and trying new recipes.

We look forward to seeing you in the Spring!