Farmers market takes root in Brookline, Mass.

by Steve Jusseaume

August 13, 2008 | NH Broadcaster | Brookline, Massachusetts

Originally published on 8/8/2008

At 2:45 Tuesday afternoon, Dolores Blake began unpacking her honey at the Brookline ball field. At a table in the shade at one side of the parking lot, Blake unloaded jars and jars of honey.

Another farmers market has sprung up in the Souhegan Valley, this one in Brookline. The market started only a month ago, too late to get state certification as a local organic market. But the attendees treat the venue as certified nonetheless, and bring only pesticide-free produce.

Blake, of Manchester, maintains 17 beehives in Derry and Candia. She harvested 400 pounds of honey last season and has poured about a third of that this summer, though another nectar flow is yet to come.

Across the parking lot, Tad Putney was setting up shop. He started the Brookline market with Ben Cargill, who Putney said was "the driving force behind the market." Putney said that the market was started after the town, in the process of updating its Master Plan, held numerous "study circles," where residents got together and talked about how to make Brookline a closer community. A farmers market was suggested and the weekly market was born.

Six vendors offering baked goods, vegetables, honey and fruit have joined in. Putney said the market hopes to attract more vegetable vendors, as well as purveyors of seafood, meats and wines.

The Brookline market is held in the ball field parking lot every Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. More information can be obtained by calling Cargill at 603-672-3768 or Karina Bertrand at 603-673-9489.

http://www.nhbroadcaster.com/local/ci_10138843

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