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Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. At the Westwood Farmers Market, fresh flowers are protected from the sun in the shade of a tent.
On Wednesday, June 7th, the vendors at the opening day of Westwood's Farmers Market are spaced in a line, with tents and tables, down one side of the parking lot of St. Margaret Mary's Church. Their market offerings are displayed and ready for purchase. Although they are small in number right now, the dedication they show in bringing their local products to the Westwood community is great.
At Maple Jack's table, the parents of the brand's namesake are helpful and friendly as they answer questions about their son's product - homemade maple syrup.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. A customer explores the handcrafted maple syrup at Maple Jack's table.At Paula's Blooming Hope, Westwood resident Paula Bezdedeanu displays her impressive floral offerings, each of them looking perfect. Some of these outstanding blooms are harvested from her own private garden. The Blooming Hope Foundation, a non-profit extension of her business, raises awareness for Multiple Sclerosis, a condition with which Ms. Bezdedeanu is knowledgable, as she lives with it, herself. Ten percent of each sale she makes is donated to that cause.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. This bouquet of perfect blooms includes peonies and irises which are grown by Westwood resident and business owner Paula Bezdedeanu.At the next table down the line, a member of St. Margaret Mary's church has set out what looks like a yard sale. Games, toys, shoes and many more items have been set out. Some objects have been collected in cardboard boxes. These are items that her grandchild has outgrown, she explains. She is now offering them for sale at the Farmers Market.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. A member of St. Margaret Mary Church displays items for sale.Oakdale Farms, hailing from Dighton, Rehoboth, and Seekonk in Massachusetts is selling live, potted herbs, vegetables, and fresh eggs. And there's a special benefit for SNAP participants. Oakdale Farms participates in the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). The program deposits SNAP dollars back into a SNAP recipient's EBT card when the recipient buys local fruits and vegetables from HIP vendors.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Oakdale Farms brought fresh produce and eggs to the Westwood Farmers Market.Last but not least in this line of vendors is Samantha Riley of Sammi's Natural Way. She has brought her handmade creations. They include lip balm in delicious sounding flavors like strawberry shortcake, watermelon, and root beer float. There are also soaps, essential oils, wine stoppers, and hand-decorated dishes and trays.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Local artist Samantha Riley offers handcrafted personal care items and more.These are the local vendors who have stepped into a starring role in reviving this convenient, weekly market of local goods for Westwood area shoppers. Their numbers may grow. Ken Foscaldo, volunteer-organizer of Westwood Farmers Market, hopes to add more vendors with the passing weeks of summer. There is some discussion of bringing a food truck to the market soon. Anyone interested can contact Mr. Foscaldo at kenfos4766@gmail.com. There is no fee to participate.
The Westwood Farmers Market will be held between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Wednesday from now through mid-October in the parking lot of St. Margaret Mary Church, 845 High Street in Westwood.
