Where (and When) to Shop Farmers Markets around Boston this Summer
From Somerville to Southie, we've mapped out open-air shopping options for every day of the week.
The Central Square Farmers Market opened for the season of social distancing on May 18, 2020. / Photo courtesy of Mass Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are different this year, as social distancing requires shoppers to keep trips purposeful and speedy—so no lingering to listen to a local musician, and definitely no sampling the berries while you’re still browsing. That said, it’s more important than ever to support local farmers markets, which provide access to healthy, fresh food in a safe outdoor shopping environment. For small farmers, community markets are a central revenue source; that is even more true this season, since limited-capacity restaurants are buying substantially less farm-fresh fare.
And anyway, who doesn’t love getting some sun while also getting the groceries? Before heading out, here’s what to know about shopping at a farmers market during the summer of social distancing. Below, we’ve highlighted a favorite option for every day of the week, and mapped out a few other markets that’ll keep your kitchen stocked.
Find fresh vegetables from Dick’s Market Garden every Monday at the Innovation and Design Building Farm Stand. / Photo by Amanda Lewis
Monday
- Central Square Farmers Market: This Cambridge option from the Mass Farmers Markets team pops up in the HMart parking lot every Monday through November. Take inspiration from the nearby David Fichter mural, “The Potluck,” as you shop vendors such as C&C Lobsters and Fish, Mahalab Bakery, and Valicenti Pasta Farm. Mondays, May 18-Nov. 23 from noon-6 p.m.; 76 Bishop Allen Dr., Central Square, Cambridge, massfarmersmarkets.org.
- The Innovation and Design Building Farm Stand: Mondays, July 13 through fall from 12:30-5:30 p.m.; 23 Drydock Ave., Seaport, Boston, preorder.
- South Boston Farmers Market: Mondays, June 22 through October from noon-6 p.m.; 446 West Broadway, South Boston, sbndc.org.
Tuesday
- Boston Public Market at Dewey Square: The city’s year-round, indoor farmers market remains closed while continuing to offer online shopping and delivery. However, the Boston Public Market Association still operates three satellite farmers markets every week, including a Dewey Square-sited one produced in partnership with the Rose Kennedy Greenway Association. BPM vendors like Kimball Fruit Farm and Red’s Best Seafood pop up twice per week right across from South Station. Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 2-Nov. 17 from 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (11 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 30 and July 2); Dewey Square, bostonpublicmarket.org.
- Copley Square Farmers Market: Tuesdays and Fridays, May 22-Nov. 24 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Dartmouth and Boylston Streets, Boston, massfarmersmarkets.org.
- Jamaica Plain Farmers’ Market: Tuesdays noon-5 p.m. and Saturdays noon-3 p.m., June through December, Bank of America parking lot, 677 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, jamaicaplainfarmersmarket.wordpress.com.
- Mission Hill Farmers Markets: Roxbury Crossing: Tuesdays and Fridays, June 26-Nov. 24 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; 1420 Tremont St., Boston, mhhm.org.
The Central Square Farmers Market opened for the season of social distancing on May 18, 2020. / Photo courtesy of Mass Farmers Markets
Wednesday
- Bow Market Safe Supply: Union Square gathering place Bow Market transforms into an outdoor grocery store twice a week. During Safe Supply, resident vendors like Picnic & Pantry, Hooked Fish Shop, and Rebel Rebel Wine Bar bring their wares into the open air for pre-scheduled, touchless shopping experiences. Wednesday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, bowmarketsomerville.com.
- Brighton Farmers Market: Wednesdays, June 17-Sept. 30 from 3-7 p.m.; Brighton Common, 30 Chestnut Hill Ave., Brighton, abhealthcollaborative.org.
- Davis Square Farmers Market: Wednesdays, May 20-Nov. 25 from noon-6 p.m.; Day and Herbert Streets, Somerville, massfarmersmarkets.org.
- East Boston Farmers Market: Wednesdays, July 1-Oct. 15 from 3-6:30 p.m.; Central Square Park (across from Liberty Shopping Center, 200 Border St.), East Boston, ebnhc.org.
Thursday
- Brookline Farmers Market: For 40 years, the parking lot behind the Coolidge Corner Theatre has hosted this weekly lineup of farmers, bakers, cheesemongers, and other local artisans. Favorites like Dick’s Market Garden, Lavender Bee Baking Co., Smith’s Country Cheese, and more have returned for the 2020 season. Thursdays, June-November from 1:30-6:30 p.m.; 32 Centre St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline, brooklinefarmersmarket.com.
- Boston Public Market at Dewey Square: Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 2-Nov. 17 from 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (11 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 30 and July 2); Dewey Square, bostonpublicmarket.org.
- Mission Hill Farmers Markets: Brigham Circle: Thursdays, June 25-Nov. 19 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Huntington Ave. and Tremont Street, Boston, mhhm.org.
Friday
- Ashmont Farmers Market: The lucky 13th season of this Dorchester neighborhood meetup kicks off in July with a selection of fresh fare from the Food Project, Sibling Organic Crops, and Stony Creek Farm and Grass Fed Beef. Pre-orders are encouraged; items for sale to the general public will all be pre-bagged or packaged. Fridays, July 10-Oct. 30, 3-7 p.m., 1900 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, greaterashmont.org.
- Copley Square Farmers Market: Tuesdays and Fridays, May 22-Nov. 24 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Dartmouth and Boylston Streets, Boston, massfarmersmarkets.org.
Peppers, cabbage, and summer squash awaits this season at the Boston Public Market’s satellite markets in Dewey Square and the Seaport. / Photo courtesy of the Boston Public Market Association
Saturday
- Union Square Farmers Market: This popular pop-up is prioritizing pre-scheduled visits for the 2020 season, though a limited number of walk-up shoppers will be accommodated. Iggy’s Bread of the World, Narragansett Creamery, Boston Smoked Fish Co., and more local makers await your orders. Saturdays, May 23-Nov. 21 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; 66-70 Union Square, Somerville, unionsquaremain.org.
- Boston Public Market at Seaport Common: Saturdays, June 6-September 26 from noon-6 p.m.; 85 Northern Ave., Boston, bostonpublicmarket.org.
- Codman Square Farmers Market: Saturdays, July 11-October 3 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Codman Square Park, 360 Talbot Ave., Dorchester, codmansquarecouncil.org.
- Jamaica Plain Farmers’ Market: Tuesdays noon-5 p.m. and Saturdays noon-3 p.m., June through December, Bank of America parking lot, 677 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, jamaicaplainfarmersmarket.wordpress.com.
- Roslindale Grab-And-Go Market: Saturdays, June-November from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Adams Park, 70 Poplar St., Roslindale, roslindale.net.
Sunday
- SoWa Farmers Market: While the SoWa Arts Market, food trucks, and beer garden are on hold this season, the bustling farmers market is back—with a few updates: It’s taking place at the lot at 460 Harrison Ave. (former site of the Arts Market), and pre-registration is required. What hasn’t changed? A great selection of local produce, proteins, and packaged products from vendors such as the Herb Lyceum, Beverly Bees, and House Bear Brewing Mead and Cider Company. Sundays, June 7-October, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 460 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston, sowaboston.com.
- Bow Market Safe Supply: Wednesdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, bowmarketsomerville.com.
