New farmer's market opens at Veranda Park in MetroWest

METROWEST It was a perfect blue-skied, breezy Saturday for the first Veranda Park Farmer’s Market located in MetroWest.

Shoppers could grab a cup of gourmet coffee, pick up some fresh fruits and vegetables, stock up on local honey, purchase homemade doggie treats for their favorite pooch and enjoy a snack from one of the food trucks parked nearby.

With more than 30 booths at the market on Saturday, marketing manager Kelly Gaw said the market is expected to grow in the coming weeks.

“Day 1 has gone very well,” Gaw said during Saturday’s market. “It’s going to be a big deal.”

During the morning, an additional 24 vendors had signed up to participate in this Saturday’s market, and another four signed up for the following week.

The space at Veranda Park can easily accommodate more than 80 booths, Gaw said, and as it grows, the market will begin to add special events within the next year.

But the goal of the weekly market is to bring the community together, Gaw said, especially because MetroWest has not had its own farmer’s market for several years.

“The vendors and attendees have already started to take ownership of it,” she said. “It’s for them.”

When Charissa Ward heard about the market, she knew it would be a perfect place to sell her fresh, locally grown produce.

“When I heard about it, I was excited, especially because it’s on the weekend,” she said. “And it’s a great area.”

By late morning, her supply of produce was running low, the mark of a successful market day.

With a good-sized turnout on Saturday, many of the vendors were hopeful that this new market will continue to flourish over the coming weeks and months.

“Day 1 was not bad at all,” said Maria Wheeler, of Yummie Crispy Treats. “Compared to other markets I do, this one is being generous to us.”

Wheeler added she is looking forward to seeing larger turnouts as the weather continues to cool down and more seasonal residents move back into the area.

The market is held every Saturday at Veranda Park, which is a commercial and residential community located in MetroWest that houses a mix of shops, restaurants and condos.

“We are so excited to have this addition to our community,” said Amy Risinger, the property manager at Veranda Park. “It has been our goal to promote the community as a whole and the businesses in and around Veranda Park. I believe this market is just the thing that has been needed to enhance all the positive growth and changes that have been experienced in the MetroWest area.”

For more information or to submit a vendor application, visit verandaparkfarmersmarket.com.

Contact Brittany Gaines at [email protected].