SHREWSBURY – It wasn’t without trial and error, but after a management change, the Shrewsbury Farmers Market is in peak form and incredibly eager to welcome lovers of local business, fresh produce, fish, meats, and artisan goods.
The market, which was created nine summers ago, was started and managed by Missy Hollenback from the start. Hollenback oversaw the market’s 2017 move from Ski Ward to the senior center and managed the market as it gradually grew.
However, this year the market had major changes. Hollenback, who started working full time for the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, decided to step down from her role. Parks and Recreation Director Laurel Rossiter and the department were entrusted with managing the market’s 10th season.
“[Hollenback] definitely set us up to be able to start pretty well. We didn’t start from scratch by any means,” said Market Manager Alyssa Hammond.
There have been some growing pains, but the new organizers have been able to navigate them.
“We’ve been figuring out what we can do, what we can’t do, if there’s changes. I think we’ve been figuring it out, and I think it’s going well so far,” Hammond said. “I know Missy was able to do quite a bit herself, but for us it’s been a big team effort to figure it out as we go.”
The weather didn’t help either. The first few markets were held on rainy days.
“After the first two or three weeks it got better and – knock on wood – it’s been nice. It’s nice on Wednesdays – it rains every other day,” Hammond said.
The Parks and Recreation Department had to learn on the job, but the market is in prime form now – just as the tomatoes are ripening.
“I just like small and local business and getting a bunch of different people who sell different things to come together in one spot. You can’t get fresh meat and fresh produce at these good prices that are local anywhere. There’s been a lot of new things that I’ve gotten to try as well,” said Hammond.
The farmers market runs every Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. to 6:3o p.m. at the senior center parking lot (98 Maple Avenue). The last market is scheduled for Sept. 20, although Hammond suggested that organizers may announce more exciting events soon.
Find more information on the market at https://tinyurl.com/SHFarmMarket.
