A Return to Medfield's Roots: Farmer's Market

In a way, it’s like Medfield returning to its roots and if those roots happen to be edible, so much the better.

Beginning June 16, residents will be invited to sample locally-grown  produce and other goods as the on North Street, debuts its first-ever farmer’s market.

“Members of the church thought it was an interesting thing to try,” said Fred Bunger, who, along with Bob Luttman and Church Administrator, Sandra Andreassi championed the idea. “We have a great location, an interest in being local [by providing area-grown produce and supporting local vendors] and doing good things for the environment."

After checking church bylaws and discovering it was “doable," the church reached out to town officials. “We approached the Town Administrator,” Bunger said. "And we’ve been to the Planning Board three times. They [actually] held a special meeting for us, so that we could start this year. They were very accommodating.”

The market received Planning Board approval with the stipulation the number of vendors be limited, at least initially, to a total of 10.

“If there are no problems and it seems to be going well with 10,” Bunger said, “then we’ll go back to the Planning Board and say we’d like to go up to … whatever number.”

The church, which has sent out feelers to local farms, hopes to also feature goods from local businesses and artisans.

“We’d love to get a bakery and hope to get somebody who sells honey [as well as to provide] an outlet for local artisans to sell their crafts,” Bunger said.

Although other area towns, such as Walpole, Franklin, Natick and Medway already have their own farmer’s markets up and running, the Medfield site hopes to draw from surrounding communities, in addition to  attracting Medfield residents.

Close attention was paid to scheduling, and for various reasons, Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m. was deemed the most appropriate time.

“One of the problems,” Bunger said, “is that you’ve got to get farmers. If they’re already signed up for other locations, then they’re not going to come to your place. We checked around and the only other [community] who’s running on Thursdays is Franklin, which is far enough away that it won’t be a conflict.”

Thursdays are also when Medfield presents its summer concert series, which, Bunger felt, would be an added incentive for both locals and out-of-town visitors.

“They start at 6 p.m.,” he said. “So you could come to the Farmers market and then [stay to] see a concert.”

The Farmer's Market is scheduled to run from June through October, with the possibility of extending it beyond the fall season.

"We have have a space in the Parish Hall," Bunger said. "If the farmers are interested, we'd love to keep it going."

Langwater Farms, of Easton, has already committed to the market, with other growers, such as Millis’  Tangerini Farms, still deliberating.

The market may also prove to be a boon to local business establishments, through generating walk-in traffic for local storefronts.

“As a member of the Downtown Study Committee,” Medfield historian Richard DeSorgher said, “[I feel that] it will bring more business to the downtown stores, which [helps] in keeping the downtown alive, which is so important to small towns like Medfield.”

The church is also providing discounted rates to local non-profits who wish to have a presence at the Farmer’s Market.

“We’re providing a table for Medfield Green, the environmental group in town,” Bunger said. “And until we get all of the spaces rented, we’d be happy to do that for other non-profit groups [as well].”

Though the farmer’s market may provide a new experience for some town residents, it is, nonetheless, in keeping with the tradition of Medfield’s past.

“Historically, Medfield was always a farming community and this is a historical turn to our town’s roots,” DeSorgher said.