Weaver Library Farmers Market celebrates fifth summer season

Weekly East Providence event starts on June 21

By Mike Rego
Posted 6/21/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — The “little engine that could” or more aptly “the little weekly gathering that could” marks a noteworthy achievement this year as the Weaver Library Farmers Market …

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Weaver Library Farmers Market celebrates fifth summer season

Weekly East Providence event starts on June 21

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — The “little engine that could” or more aptly “the little weekly gathering that could” marks a noteworthy achievement this year as the Weaver Library Farmers Market celebrates its fifth season of offering area residents access to locally grown produce and manufactured products.

The 13-week schedule of events kicks off Thursday, June 21, on the lawn at Weaver’s Grove Avenue location. The market runs each Thursday from 4-7 p.m.

Any endeavor which reaches five years running is impressive. For the Weaver Farmers Market, obviously a non-profit effort with no advertising budget and that relies on word of mouth, it’s even more so. Joyce May, assistant director for libraries in city and creator/co-manager of the market, appreciates the sustainability of the market and the support of the patrons it’s gained through the years. For Mrs. May, it’s been a proverbial labor of love.

“That first year was a little challenging," said Mrs. May. "But it’s really about the stories. That first year a woman came up to one of our vendors and said she was so proud that East Providence had a farmers market. She said she would always take her kids to the library, and this gave her one more reason to come here."

Saying “the manager is a great customer at the market,” Mrs. May continued of its increased relevance in the community, “It’s nice to know that people were aware of it. The first couple of years it was a struggle to make people aware. And there’s still always the nervousness about whether people will come. And we want the vendors to do well. The farmers are at the heart of the market and we’re so pleased to have them back As I always say, everyone deserves access to good, fresh local food.”

Fourteen vendors are expected to consistently attend Weaver this summer: AB Monroe Dairy Sacred Cow Granola, Buppy Pets, C&M Farms, Coorg Coffee, Delfina's Plants, Diggers Catch Fresh Fish, Friends of the Library, Gastro’s Salami and Sausages, Gnarly Vines Farm , Just Like Nana's Rugelah, Kenyarn, Oakdale Farms, Rhed's Hot Sauce, Rustic Roots Bakery and Sidewalk Ends Farm. Coorg, Gastro’s Gnarly, Nana’s, Kenyarn and Rhed’s are new this season.

“Besides the vegetables, we have eggs, chicken, fish. You really can make dinner by coming to the market,” said Mrs. May.

Also of note, a “market table” of additional items will be available each week. The table will be a sampling of products from regular vendors who are unable to attend that week or products from those who aren’t regular participants. The offerings, called “value added products, include jams, jellies, vinegars, sauces and pet food.

This year's mark includes a new contributor as well in co-manager Tara Cimini. Ms. Cimini oversees an organic gardening and nutrition program at William D’Abate Elementary School in Providence. She also works for the Thundermist Health Center, managing a community garden and running farmers markets.

Ms. Cimini and Mrs. May initiated a relationship through their membership of the Rhode Island Farmers Market Collaborative. On the addition of Ms. Cimini, a small scale organic grower in her own right, Mrs. May said, “She was perfect to join us as a market manager this year. With all her connections, I thought she would be a great fit.”

“I really love the connection between libraries and farmers markets in general,” Ms. Cimini said of joining the Weaver team. “I think it’s a great community partnership. I think it’s a really smart idea. And particularly this library, the programs Joyce has here always have environmental stewardship at the forefront along with community wellness. I think it’s stellar.”

Both managers were especially excited about yet another new aspect to this year’s market. Through a grant gained by Farm Fresh Rhode Island, SNAP/EBT customers can double their spending power. For every dollar a customer swipes with EBT on any product, they get a free dollar in “Bonus Bucks” specifically to purchase fruits and vegetables. The transaction is only for use at farmers markets.

“To add this element of bringing not only locally, organically grown food to the community, but then have the SNAP and EBT access, which makes it more available, is great,” Ms. Cimini said. “It’s not a myth. It is a little more expensive. Not everyone can afford it. So to have this program it’s making people more aware of it and have access to it. The match is huge for everyone in the region, not just the consumer, but also the farmer.”

The original intent of the Weaver Farmers Market was to provide residents of the city and those in the East Providence area access to locally grown and manufactured food. In five years it seems to have accomplished that and more.

“Consistency and quality, I think what we bring to our market is what we bring to our library. We’re welcoming. I don’t think we can stress that word enough. Everyone is welcome at the library, and that’s how we run our market. We want people to be comfortable. No matter what you look like, no matter what you wear, no matter how rich you are, we have something for you. And we want to have something for you at the market,” said Mrs. May.

She continued, “Like we’ve done at the library, we want to create a space where people can come and enjoy themselves and learn something for free. They can come with their children, talk to their neighbor, learn something new. A book might provide it, a program might provide it and now we can build that around great food. And isn’t that a wonderful thing.”

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.