New name, new attitude (and location) for annual downtown farmers market

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Manchester Community Market Manager Wendy Stevens.
Manchester Community Market Manager Wendy Stevens.

MANCHESTER, NH – If you thought you were anxious for summer to get here before, you will be even more excited after reading about the new and improved Manchester Farmer’s Market.

Off the bat, there’s the name change: Moving forward, it’s going to be called the Manchester Community Market – your old market on steroids – which will continue as a weekly market, only instead of closing down Concord Street every Thursday, the market will set up at Victory Park from June 16 to Oct. 23,  between the hours of 3 – 6:30 p.m.

Market Manager Wendy Stevens returns this year, and has been working behind the scenes to bring shoppers more of what they want – more vendors, more variety, multi-cultural entertainment and community spirit.

New vendors for the market are currently being accepted. Deadline for applications  is April 29.  Vendors can apply online here. You can find the market rules here, and current list of vendors here.

Stevens has been involved in the world of farmers markets since 2009, and was recently elevated from vice president to president of the NH Farmers Market Association, after the passing of President Jane Lang, who died last month after a battle with cancer.

farmers marketStevens works at Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS), where she manages the Farm & Food Leader Program, a summer youth program that teaches kids how to grow food and helps develop community gardens in the city.

Her past experience includes chairing the Weare Agricultural Commission, membership with the Weare Conservation Commission and NH Food Alliance, and she also currently serves on the Southern NH Planning Commission.  Wendy served as the market manager last year for Manchester Farmers Market Inc. and looks forward to continuing on as the manager of the Manchester Community Market.

“What I’m looking forward to most this summer is the massive amounts of local food moving within the community, from farmer to consumer.  Everyone wins when local food is flowing, that’s what it’s all about,” Stevens said.

The current board of directors include:

So, what to expect?

  • New items such as wood-fired flatbreads, artisan goat cheese, and free healthy food samples from NH Food Bank’s Recipe for Success program, which will be on site to  demonstrate how to make healthy food taste delicious.
  • A sponsorship booth
  • New fun kids activities including: storyteller Papa Joe; a Native American flute demonstration with White Bear; West African drumming with Manchester’s own Theo Jiga Martey; knee slapping folk acoustic, and more.
  • Moving to Victory Park
  • Continuation of the EBT/SNAP Granite State Market Match program, where recipients can swipe their EBT card and receive double the amount to spend at the market.
  • All new website: Check out the Manchester Community Market website here, and mark your social calendars for June 16.

 

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About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!