5-29-2023 12:05am

Westwood Farmers Market is Being Revived at St. Margaret Mary Church

Darlene Cancell Editor

Photo by Erik Scheel from Pexels.com.

Thanks to Ken Foscaldo, member of St. Margaret Mary Church, for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.

After an absence from the town scene for several years, Westwood Farmers Market is being revived by members of the community, with a scheduled return to the parking lot of St. Margaret Mary Church at 845 High Street, every Wednesday from June 7th through mid-October, announced Ken Foscaldo, a member of the church.

Some years ago, the Westwood Farmers Market was organized by the Town of Westwood, which had requested permission from the church to be sited in its parking lot, said Mr. Foscaldo. This time, the market is being revived in the same location at the instigation of St. Margaret Mary Church, itself.

Visitors to the previous weekly farmers market may remember a small market with offerings that included regular and convenient access to fresh produce and baked items from local providers. After a number of years, however, the town moved the market from the church parking lot to the Westwood Police parking lot. At this second location, it "failed," said Mr. Foscaldo. Then came COVID-19, and the market ceased to be held, he said.

Bringing the market back to the parking lot of St. Mary Margaret Church was suggested by the parish priest, said Mr. Foscaldo, the latter whom has volunteered to help make that happen. Mr. Foscaldo has obtained the necessary permits from the town and has reached out local farmers and Westwood Artists to participate.

However, a challenge that some potential vendors are facing is obtaining sufficient staff to help, at a time when many employers across commercial enterprises are having difficulty in finding employees. As a result, a final list of specific product offerings at the market are not yet available to announce at this time.

There is no fee to vendors or visitors to participate in this Westwood Farmers Market, although products will be offered for purchase. Interested vendors can contact Ken Foscaldo at kenfos4766@gmail.com.