Farm Fresh Rhode Island Winter Time Farmers Market

     During the summer, Rhode Island becomes riddled with farmers markets. No matter what day it is, there's always at least one farmers market happening. During the spring and summer, the sustainability movement in Rhode Island is a roaring culture of diverse individuals working together for a good cause. Seeing the amount of people that frequent all of the farmers markets is a great and hopeful sight. Most of them are out doors at parks or other public areas. Unfortunately, once winter rolls around, all of the out door markets go into hibernation until spring, and farmers markets become a much rarer sight. However, there is one market that operates in Rhode Island, and being the only market that operates during the off season, it draws huge crowds of farm fresh food lovers from around the state every week. The winter time market is put on by an organization called Farm Fresh Rhode Island. Farm Fresh Rhode Island puts on many events throughout Rhode Island, including farmers markets, film screenings, community classes, art shows, and more. They are the glue that hold the incredible sustainability movement of Rhode Island together.
     The winter time market operates twice a week indoors at Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket, RI. On Wednesdays, the market is open from 4:00pm-7:00pm, and on Saturdays, the market is open from 9:00am-1:00pm. I got a chance to go to the market this week, and it was absolutely wonderful. Whether you're shopping for produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, or just looking to strike up an interesting conversation with local farmers and business owners, this market is always a fun time.
     The whole market smells of warm, fresh baked bread, and earthy, locally roasted coffee which gives it a warm, comforting, homey feel, which is absolutely perfect during the cold, bitter winter season. There are over 50 vendors at this huge market, and some of my favorites include:
Seven Stars Bakery, Aquidneck Honey, Barden Family Orchard, New Harvest Coffee Roasters, Matunuck Vegetable Farm, Virginia & Spanish Peanut Co., Baffoni's Poultry Farm, Melville Grille, Taza Chocolate, Narragansett Creamery, New Urban Farmers, The Local Catch, and many more. I managed to get pictures of some of the vendors and their amazing products while I was there as well:

Wishing Stone Farm

Aquidneck Honey

Olga's Cup & Saucer

Narragansett Creamery

Baffoni's Poultry Farm

Virginia & Spanish Peanut Co.

Seven Stars Bakery

The Stirring Spoon

 

     I absolutely love Rhode Island's farmers markets, and this is one of my favorites. I've never been to the winter time farmers market without having at least one delightfully interesting and inspiring conversation with one of the vendors. You'll never find employees that are this passionate about their products at any super market. If you like fresh food, and friendly people, then take a trip to one of your local farmers markets. You'll see just how lovely of an experience it can be, and you'll be sure to walk away with some amazing food, whether it be fresh veggies, Warm pastries, or locally made organic peanut butter. You can't go wrong at this farmers market.