Published: 2/23/2017 4:31:05 PM
They came for the vegetables and stuck around for the community.
With baskets and bags in hand, visitors from across the Valley flocked to the Amherst Winter Farmers’ Market, at Amherst-Pelham Regional Middle School.
“Everything is fresh here,” said Tiffany McGee of Amherst, who picked out kale leaves one by one.
By late Saturday morning, the middle school was abuzz with activity. Children worked on craft projects and sledded outside while adults mingled and shopped.
“Once you start coming, you get to know the characters,” said B.Z. Reily of Shutesbury.
Merricka Breuer of Sunderland chatted with local farmers as she purchased items.
“I don’t have to go corporate,” she said. “I can meet everyone who produces.”
From the live music to the neighborly vibes, Susan Fields of Amherst feels at home at the market.
“It’s nurturing on so many levels, coming here,” she said.
Lee Fernandez, of Turnabout Farm in Brookfield, agreed, cheerily greeting each customer.
“How good it feels to walk in, in the morning, see those vegetables, and know that farmers are doing okay,” she remarked.
Sarah Crosby can be reached at scrosby@gazettenet.com.