Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Coolidge Corner, a converted parking lot is home to an assortment of vendors selling a variety of local goods. Whether shoppers are in the mood for kombucha, microgreens or samosas, the Brookline Farmers’ Market has something for everyone.
Rain or shine, the market operates every Thursday between 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., from June 5 to Nov. 21 In an era of fast food and 30-minute grocery delivery, in-person farmers markets might be fading out of common practice, but vendors assert that the market is now more relevant than ever, especially for young people.
Becky Stillman runs the stall for Stillman Quality Meats, which has been selling at the market since its inception 47 years ago. She said that while a farmers market might not offer the same quick fix as a chain such as McDonald’s, there is a benefit to customers in learning where their food comes from and who is making it.
“Young people need to start learning about the value of food. They need to value it nutritionally, in a wholesome manner, for a dollar value and for the sustainability of their society,” Stillman said. “It would be a wise trip to come over [to the farmers market] and teach yourself what’s available so that, as a maturing adult, you’re eating well. It’s important to eat from a source that you know.”
Alyssa Jollimore, head cheesemaker at Smith’s Cheese and seller at the market for four years, said that her favorite aspect of being a vendor at the market is the sense of community.
“People are really friendly and nice. I have people that come every week. It’s fun to see them and interact with them,” Jollimore said.
Market manager Isabelle Levy said she does not see the market as merely a vehicle to make a profit. Instead, relationships between customers and vendors are a central goal in operations.
“The mission is to connect the community to local farms and serve as a venue to bridge the community to local agriculture,” Levy said.
The market’s resilience and built-up trust served as a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic, when food became harder to access and farmers markets were hard-hit. A 2020 member survey from the Farmers Market Coalition found that 74 percent of markets reported decreased income in the first months of the pandemic. In Massachusetts, nearly a quarter of restraunts were forced to permanently close due to COVID-19, leaving gaps to fill for establishments like the Brookline Farmers’ Market, which is open air and less likely to cause outbreaks.
“We were here in COVID when nobody else was able,” Stillman said.
Levy said that post-pandemic, the market has rebounded and is doing better than ever.
“We have a full market; we have customers that are coming as early as 12:30 or 1 even though we don’t open until 1:30,” Levy said. “They know that some of the good stuff can sell out quickly.”
Though the market appeals to people of all ages, Levy said that for young people especially, it’s worth the trip up from the high school to Centre Street.
“I think you can feel it when you’re here, seeing all the local produce,” Levy said. “It’s healthier for you, and it’s better for the environment to support local businesses and local farms.”
