If it’s Thursday, it must be Market Day in Medfield. As Farmers’ Markets go it probably would be considered small, but without a doubt comprehensive. Each week approximately twelve farmers and other vendors set up on the lawn of the historic First Parish Meeting House on North St., beside Meeting House Pond, with festive canopies or trucks from 2 until 6:30 p.m. Although it is a rain or shine event, the vendors may cancel at the last minute, especially if the forecast is for dangerous storms.
As usual among Farmers’ Market vendors, there is always a farm stand selling fresh vegetables, fruit and even bouquets of flowers. Look for whatever is seasonable - for instance: cucumbers, squash in many summer varieties, tomatoes, corn, beets, and eggplants. This farmer also has a wide variety of fresh herbs. The farm is located in the town of Wrentham, a close neighbor to Medfield.
One farmer, a Medfield resident, sells fresh eggs. A dozen might contain a variety of sizes and colors depending on the type of chickens that are laying this week. Another has a beautiful small garden in Holliston that attracts honey bees and he brings both raw honey and honey-made products such as soaps, lotions and candies. Food vendors also can be found selling, fresh from the Boston market, seafood including shell fish; ready to eat or take home for dinner Jamaican jerk foods; prepared and fresh paleo diet items; jellies, jams and breads.
One vendor, although a coffee retailer, donates its used coffee grounds to customers with instructions for use in home gardens. There is no hot coffee sold at its booth, but at the First Parish Bake Sale table, there often is lemonade. There is even a table sponsored by the First Parish church members that help keep little ones busy while parents shop. In addition, church ladies bake and staff the Bake Sale Table, which donates all its profits back to the church for maintenance on the historic building, whose story dates back to the founding of Medfield when an original building on this site was the Town Meeting House. Customers may eat their snacks at the small tables provided by the members.
Although the market tries to limit vendors to one-of-a- kind, there are two soap makers that attend on an intermittent basis. Also, occasionally, a vendor can be found selling smoothies and healthy fruit and vegetable juices. Another may explain the benefits of reflexology, reiki, messages and other wellness techniques, and has specialty items for sale as well. During the month of August there will be a jewelry maker who not only displays her finished items, but often is busy crafting them during the market hours. According to her website, her jewelry has calming and stress-reducing benefits as well as beauty.
A weekly trip to the market will allow customers to eat from the farm- to-the table and continue to support their neighbors. Parking is located behind the church and along North St. for market customers.
