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Roger Williams Zoo - 10:00 AM
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East - 11:00 AM
Roger Williams Zoo - 10:00 AM
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Boston Area Farmers’ Markets are in Full Swing – June Openings
Summer is upon us, and the farmers’ markets in Boston and surrounding communities are truly in full swing. There’s something about the markets opening in June: They have a festival-like atmosphere, with friends catching up, colorful foods and plants everywhere, music, activities for kids, and delightful treats fit for any kind of summer celebration.
Read on for the 411 on five of our favorite markets, plus a secret or two to make your family’s market shopping experience even more fun.
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Where: New, temporary location at 26 Oxford Street (in front of the Harvard Museum of Natural History), Cambridge, MA
When: Tuesdays, Noon-6pm, June 19 - October 30, 2012
With the new location in front of the HMNH, your trip to the farmers’ market can become a whole afternoon of adventure. First, I recommend visiting the two museums there: the Peabody Museum of Archeology & Ethnology, and the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
To enhance your visit, I’m going to let you in on a few secrets: Behind the Harvard Museum of Natural History, there is a beautiful courtyard with benches and picnic tables. And in the big, modern science building next door, there is a café with seating indoors and out. Best of all, downstairs, on the bottom floor of that building, you’ll find a place that looks like a giant living room with large, wacky modular furniture. On the wall there is a magnificent mural that kids are fascinated with (and can be an excellent springboard for conversation). It’s the perfect place to relax, get out of the sun or rain, and recharge for the rest of the day’s adventures. (But shhh, don’t tell anyone I told you about it!)
Where: The municipal parking lot in Belmont Center, at the intersection of Cross St. & Channing Rd., behind Macy's on Leonard St. The Market is near the MBTA commuter train & bus stops in Belmont Center. They have bicycle parking.
When: Thursdays, 2-6:30pm, June 14, 2012 into October.
Contact: Fill out this form. Sign up for the weekly e-newsletter to get info about vendors, market happenings, special events, and recipes.
The Market accepts SNAP and matches benefits up to $25.
There are a lot of great things about the Belmont Farmers’ Market: A wide variety of food and goods, with the addition of seafood this season; the participation of community members and organizations like Sustainable Belmont, the Belmont Light Department, and local musicians; ample parking; the location behind Belmont Center, where you can do some more shopping or stop for a bite to eat at one of the pizza places (or go more exotic with Indian or Thai fare); and, of course, the many wonderful vendors, who supply your family with everything from hummus to garlic scapes to sassy sauces.
Woburn Farmers’ Market at Spence Farm
Where: Spence Farm, 41 Wyman St. Woburn, MA 01801
When: Sundays, 10am-2pm
Contact: 781-938-0297 or paulderman@verizon.net
We love the Woburn Farmers’ Market because it always feels like a farm festival. The selection of fresh vegetables and fruits isn’t huge, but there is always something else to keep my kids interested; soaps with toys hidden inside, a beekeeper who brings a beehive along and is happy to share his vast knowledge of all things honey with his customers, a petting zoo, craftspeople, musicians, or an actual festival, like Oktoberfest & Family Fare.
Farmers’ Market @ Kendall Square
Where: Kendall Square, adjacent to Charles River Canoe & Kayak, 500 Broad Canal Street, Cambridge, MA 02142 (see website for directions)
When: Thursdays, 11 AM to 2 PM, June through September
Contact: Elizabeth Ginsburg, 617-225-2440 or farmersmarket@kendallsquare.org
The Kendall Square Farmers’ Market is small, but it’s convenient and easy to reach via the Red Line T. You’ll probably find what you need, plus some treats you didn’t even know you wanted. When we shopped there a couple of weeks ago, we balanced out our kale and lettuce purchases with raspberry chocolate almonds and maple cotton candy!
Where: Braintree Town Hall, One JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree, MA 02184
When: Saturday 9am-1pm, June 16th-October 27th & November 17th, 2012
Contact: http://braintreefarmersmarket.blogspot.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/braintreefarmersmarket
The Braintree Farmers’ Market has everything: fresh fruits and vegetables, hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, seafood, plants, baked goods, fair trade coffees, teas, and chocolates – you get the idea. A huge bonus is that the market moves indoors, inside the Braintree Town Hall, when there is bad weather.
Check the calendar for special events like the Strawberry Festival, Clam and Lobster Feasts, Pumpkin Festival, and Indoor Thanksgiving Farmers Market. A new program also allows you to shop with market currency, called Market Moolah, which you can purchase with a credit card or EBT/SNAP card at the Market Manager Tent. Nice!
