Category: At the Market

Make a call for the food system today!

This week, members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives are reading through nearly 1,400 proposed budget amendments and adding their names in support of those that they know are important to their constituents. They need to hear from you about why food system issues matter, and why they should support investments in programs and projects that support an equitable, sustainable food system.
Please call your representatives TODAY and ask them to sign on to these three amendments. Tell them who you are, where you’re from, and why these issues matter to you. (Clicking on each link brings you to the text of the amendment and a list of representatives who have already signed on.)
  • Amendment #1149 (Rep. Blais): Massachusetts Food System Metrics. This would provide $100,000 to compile, analyze, and track data on all sectors of the food system to help ensure that policies and investments are being targeted appropriately and that the goals of the state’s food system plan are being met. (23 Reps have signed on so far.)
For more details about each of these items, including lists of organizations supporting each one, see our website here.
For contact information for your representatives, click here.
Article from: the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative
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Now Accepting Applications: Market Manager!

POSITION: Summer Farmers Market Manager

COMPENSATION: $16/hour @ approximately 15-18 hours per week

COMMITMENT DURATION: Mid-May through October 2019

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May, 4th 2019

OVERVIEW

The Medford Farmers Market Board seeks a resident of Medford or a neighboring community to assist in planning the 2019 season of the Medford Farmers Market and to be the market’s on-site manager for the summer season (Thursday, June 6 – Thursday, October 17, 2019).  

The market manager is responsible for operations of the weekly Medford Farmers Market on Thursdays for the 2019 season (approx. 6 hours), plus an additional 8-9 hours per week on non-market days. The market’s operating hours are 3:00-7:00 pm every Thursday. The manager will be required to participate in at least one training day and approx 15 hours dedicated to pre-market planning and advertisement.  Employment will begin May 15 and will end around October 25, after wrap up at the end of the season.

The manager is required to be available for the duration of the market season and be at the market on market days to assist vendors and consumers. A successful manager will understand both the vendors’ and the consumers’ needs and work to meet these needs. The manager will report to the president of the Medford Farmers Market board of directors.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Managers are required to be available for cell phone contact with Board members on market day and for regular e-mail contact throughout the duration of their employment. Manager must be willing and able to work outdoors and to safely lift and carry 40 pounds. The position requires the ability to work independently as well as interdependently with a team of other staff members. (Also see Specific Responsibilities, below.)

EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will have an interest in local agriculture, food, community, and/or local economies. S/he must be reliable, friendly, outgoing, self-motivated, flexible and able to problem solve quickly.  Previous experience with farmersʼ markets, marketing, outreach, and/or event planning and management a plus.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

The market manager is responsible for the following activities:

Market Management

  • Educates vendors about market policies and programs such as Market Bucks, Farmers Market Nutrition Program, frequent shopper cards, and EBT matching program
    • Learn and be able to enforce all federal and state requirements for income assistance programs at the market (training will be provided)
  • Staffs the market managerʼs table.  Operation of the market managerʼs table includes:
    • Processing credit card, debit, and EBT transactions and managing money box
    • Educating guests and others about locally grown produce and local food system
    • Displaying and distributing educational and promotional materials
    • Collecting consumer contact information and entering it into database
  • Develops and maintains good working relationships with vendors, consumers, community members, and Board members.
  • Assist vendors, community representatives, and consumers by providing market-

related information, conflict resolution, and general aid as appropriate.

  • Enforces market rules.
  • Communicates, clearly, efficiently, and regularly with Board, including a monthly written Market Report that is used in official Board of Directors meetings and minutes.
  • Manager may occasionally assist vendors by providing limited setup help and brief personal breaks and by assisting vendors with sales during especially busy times.

Market Logistics

  • Set up Market infrastructure weekly (manager table, decorations, banners, etc)
  • Communicates with vendors during the week including
    • serving as first line of communication regarding Market issues
    • sending weekly footprint of market to vendors the day before the Market
    • confirming weekly attendance of vendors
  • Ensures safety and cleanliness of the site before, during, and at the conclusion of each market.
  • Maintains and transmits the daily records and reports required by Board on a weekly basis.
  • Contribute to weekly email Newsletter
  • Assist with publicity and promotion, including hanging posters and distributing fliers

Miscellaneous

  • Performs other duties necessary to support the market.

TO APPLY, PLEASE SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO medfordfarmersmarket@gmail.com

Medford Farmers Market – October 25

MEDFORD FARMERS MARKET

WEEK #20

October 25, 2018
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Come on down to the Medford Farmers Market this Thursday, October 25th from 3-7pm@ the Condon Shell (map it!) on Mystic Valley Parkway!!  It is market week #20 (the final market of the 2018 season) and  we have 15 amazing vendors, live music, information from our sponsor Boston Solar, and a Medford Family Network meet up! 

WHO’S AT THE MARKET THIS WEEK?

PRODUCE:
Lanni Orchards – fresh fruit & veggies from Lunenberg, MA
Brigham Farm – fruits, veggies & flowers from Concord, MA
Busa Farm – fresh produce from Lexington, MA
Good Roots Farm – organic produce from Lincoln, MA
MEAT/SEAFOOD/DAIRY:
Shady Pine Farm – meat & eggs from New Braintree, MA
BAKED GOODS:
Bagel Land – bagels & goodies from Winchester, MA
PREPARED FOOD:
Scott Brothers Meat – hand crafted sausage from Cambridge, MA (now available to take home to prepare!)
SPECIALTY FOODS:
Ackermann Maple Farm – maple syrup, maple butter, and more from Cabot, VT
Deano’s Pasta – fresh pasta & ravioli from Somerville, Ma
Peg’s Preserves – jams, jelly, honey & spices from Lancaster, MA
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS:
Blink Fitness – membership information from Medford’s newest fitness club
Coastal Vineyards – artisanal wines from South Dartmouth, MA
Polka Dog – handcrafted dog treats crafted in Boston, MA
Ugly Baby Soap Company – knife and tool sharpening from Lancaster, MA
Venier Forge – knife and tool sharpening from Lancaster, MA
Don’t forget to bring your
dull knives & tools to this week’s market!!

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Come on down to the last market of the season to stock up for the winter and bid adieu to our amazing vendors.  Pop by the market table in costume for a special treat and to check out our merch!
And thanks for a fantastic season. We couldn’t have done it without you. Sniff.

MFM swag makes great gifts!!
Check out our ‘End of Season’ special:
T-shirts $15
Bags $7
Car Magnets $3
(all merchandise profits support our SNAP matching program)

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE MARKET THIS WEEK?

* Local musician
          Ryan Alvanos (and his ukulele band) from 3-7pm   
* Community meet up hosted by the Medford Family Network
* Information from our sponsor Boston Solar

HOW TO GET THERE…
           
You can walk, take the bus (the 94, 95 and 96 buses run on High Street), ride your bike (have you checked out the new Mystic River Path?) or—yep—canoe/kayak to the market!

Driving to the market?  Shoppers park for FREE in the
* in the Condon Shell lot on Mystic Valley Pkwy/Route 16
* on both sides of Winthrop Street, near the ball fields
* on both sides of South Street, just south of the river
* at the metered and free parking spaces  on High Street

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Did you know…

The Medford Farmers Market matches EBT/SNAP

up to $20 per EBT card per week!!

SNAP beneficiaries simply swipe their EBT debit cards at the market manager’s table, and we match their total bill, up to $20 each week. That means $40 of fresh, healthy, and local food for a cost of $20, doubling shoppers’ spending power. Our benefits-matching program continues to grow every year!
Help us maintain this great program by donating here:

https://www.youcaring.com/medfordfarmersmarket-1135313

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