Get Fresh Produce from Wards at Medfield Weekly Market

Wards Berry Farm has been a faithful vendor for the four years that the summer Medfield  Farmers Market has set up each Thursday from 2 until 6:30 on the lawn of the First Parish Unitarian-Universalist Church on North St.  Its display of fresh fruit and vegetables, grown on-site in its fields in Sharon, is both colorful and mouth watering. 

Bob and Jim Ward have run the family farm with a focus on land stewardship during production since 1982.  While producing vegetables and small fruit on their 175 acres they also work toward building the health of the soil and increasing its organic matter.

 Eighteen acres are devoted to certified organic crops, and the remaining acres are farmed using Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The goal of IPM is to manage pest damage economically while protecting people, property, and the environment. All available pest control methods, including the judicious use of pesticides, are considered; choices are based on extensive data about the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. Organic farming employs many of these same methods, but prohibits the use of synthetic chemicals. Wards is proud to be a genuine, productive farm, sustainably supplying real food picked at the peak of ripeness to its customers.  Varieties are chosen for flavor, such as corn picked that same day and delicious field ripened tomatoes, including famous heirlooms! Although strawberry season lasts just a few weeks, the juicy fruits are sweet and memorable. A tree ripened peach is a delightful treat Wards aims to share with as many customers as possible.  More information may be found on their website:wardsberryfarm.com

Complementing this farm stand each week is a Jordan Brothers’ truck offering fresh seafood, caught that morning.  New this year is Foxboro Cheese Company selling fresh eggs, veal, beef, and a wide variety of soft and firm cheeses, made from the milk produced at the 300 year old Lawton farm in Foxboro.  Dinner can be ready in minutes.  Of course to keep the family dog from begging at the table, there are some special treats from Bark Back Bakery.

The market also offers specialty items like homemade mustards, relishes and grilling sauces from Garden Fresh of Bellingham, interesting middle-eastern food items from Amir’s Natural Food in Jamaica Plain and pastries and cakes from Annies Just Desserts of Norfolk  There are also vendors that appear to answer questions on clean energy and to sell jewelry, handbags and even provide special collars for the family pet. 

Not all specialty vendors set up regularly, so it may be wise to visit the market weekly to see what is available and to get enough fresh food for several meals.  There is plenty of parking along North St. and at the rear of the church.