Central Square Farmers’ Market

Every Monday afternoon from Memorial Day to Thanksgiving week, the Central Square Farmers’ Market operates in the parking lot on the corner of Norfolk Street and Bishop Allen Drive directly behind the Blockbuster Video on Mass Ave.  The market is open from noon until 6pm, and is a regular part of my weekly routine.  Since this market is barely a block away from the restaurant, it couldn’t be any more convenient for me.  Also, this time slot fills a gap in our schedule of  farm deliveries, and after a busy weekend here we always have a few needs to fill.  The market is small (about 12 vendors), but the quality is very high, and I’m always thrilled by the displays and find great inspiration for our menus — it is particularly good timing for our Monday Night Tapas Bar.

This market really serves the needs of the community, and a quick glance around the crowds on any given Monday confirms this point.   Regular shoppers there include residents from the surrounding neighborhoods, employees from the nearby city offices and numerous other businesses in the Square, students and professors, etc. –  the demographic mix is very broad indeed, just like Central Square itself, and you will see familiar faces from the community, foodies, restaurant chefs, parents and kids — all of whom share a desire for fresh, local, nutritious food.  The strategic location makes it accessible to all; most people who shop there come from within walking distance, and it’s also within a block of the subway and bus stops.  In general, the prices for all this superb fresh produce are very reasonable, and many vendors accept food stamps.

It’s true here too what people appreciate about their local markets everywhere: regularly seeing your friends and neighbors in this wonderfully colorful, fragrant and positive setting is a real plus for those of us who live here.  A trip around the market always includes greetings and conversations, catching up on the news, occasional surprise encounters, and sharing excitement and cooking ideas about discoveries in this week’s produce.  Knowing your grower and building a relationship with that person throughout the course of weekly visits builds trust in this system of food distribution, and I really like hearing from them what new items will be coming in next week — a case where insider trading tips can actually contribute to the greater good of society!