Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Parks Director Patrick Sullivan joined with Jodi Manning, Manager of the Farmers Market at Forest Park along with many city and state officials including: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Deputy Commissioner Winton Pitcoff, Mass Farmers Markets Executive Director Edith Murnane, Director of Nutrition Services for the Executive Office of Elder Affairs Adriene Worthington, Regional Administrator for the USDA FNS Northeast Region Lizbeth Silbermann, Jeff McCue from the Department of Transitional Assistance, Executive Director of Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture Philip Korman, State Representative Carlos Gonzalez, State Representative Jacob Oliveira, State Senator Adam Gomez, City Council President Jesse Lederman, City Councilor Kateri Walsh, and City Councilor Victor Davila on Tuesday at the Famers Market at Forest Park for a special celebration in honor of the Farmers Market at Forest Park’s 25th Anniversary and Massachusetts Farmers Market Week.
Mayor Sarno states, “For 25 years, The Farmers Market at Forest Park has been offering a wide array of healthy flavors from Springfield and Western Mass. Congratulations to Manager Jodi Manning and all who continue to make this a successful market for 25 years by connecting our local residents with fresh produce right here in our beautiful Forest Park. It provides an urban oasis that I know my family and as well so many others, not just from the Forest Park neighborhood, but across the city and surrounding areas, come to the Park to enjoy on Tuesdays. Special thanks to Pat Sullivan, Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management and his entire team for maintaining our parks and working closely with the market managers to facilitate this market at our Forest Park. Today especially, we also remember the late Belle-Rita Novak who founded and managed the Forest Park farmers market for many years, thank you Belle-Rita for your dedication to making the market a success.”
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared August 6- August 12 as Massachusetts Farmers Market Week. Members of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), along with local, state, and federal officials are recognizing the week by touring farmers markets across Massachusetts.
“I was honored to join with our dedicated state officials to celebrate state-wide Farmers Market Week to highlight the importance of our farmers markets, our farms, and our families’ need for access to affordable quality produce. Thank you to Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll for their continued support of our farmers markets and making food access a priority for our seniors and urban residents.”
In addition to the many wonderful market vendors, Tuesday’s special event featured face painting, recipe demos, live music, kids crafts, and more. There is also helpful information available at the market about programs like HIP, SNAP, WIC, and senior nutrition program coupons.
During the summer Farmers Market season, which typically runs from May through October, the Forest Park Farmers Market is held every Tuesday inside Forest Park from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Entrance to the park is free for market-goers. The Winter Market at Forest Park is also available during the winter month during select Saturdays indoors at the Bright Nights building. Visit https://www.farmersmarketforestpark.com/ for more information.
