By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-956638.mp3
Springfield, MA – Farmers markets have been growing in popularity for years as people come to realize the value of locally grown food. Although most of the markets operate during the warm weather months, there are a growing number of winter farm markets in the region WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports .
Farmers here in the northeast are beginning to see a business potential in the coldest season of the year. Experts say winter farm markets offer little competition, provide an opportunity to develop niche markets and allow farmers to distribute products over 12 months.
Clair Morenon, a program coordinator with Communities Involved In Sustaining Agriculture,..CISA.. a South Deerfield Massachusetts based non-profit, says more local farmers are looking to market their products year round
CISA this winter sponsored one day winter markets called winter fares..in Northampton , Greenfield , and Springfield. These featured vendors selling meat, cheese, eggs, maple syrup, jams, pickles, as well as root vegetables and some fresh produce.
Winter farm markets typically draw only about a tenth of the attendance of summer markets..The hours of operation are usually shorter. Belle Rita Novak, the long time manager of a summer farmers market in Springfield, is running a winter market this year. It is in a former monkey house in Springfield's Forest Park on the second and fourth Saturdays for three hours each day
Novak says she plans to survey vendors and customers about possibily expanding the hours of operation and perhaps going weekly with the market next winter. There are weekly winter farm markets in Northampton and Amherst.
There are 75 winter farm markets in New York, including several in the Capital District according to the Department of Agriculture and Markets website
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources listed 17 winter farmers markets on its website. Last year there were 8 according to Agriculture Commissioner Scott Soares who says the growth is in response to demand for locally produced agricultural products..
Farmers that want to sell produce year round may face some costs, such as for a greenhouse for example. Soares says the state can help finance the expansion through the farm viability enhancement program
Soares says overall it has been a good couple of years for the state's agriculture industry, despite rising fuel and feed costs..