Locals throng the Waltham Farmers’ Market on opening day
The Waltham Farmers’ Market had its season opening on Saturday, drawing hundreds of shoppers eager to score succulent local strawberries and freshly harvested greens, enjoy live music and even commission a free poem.
“I love it,” said Manjarrie Saha of Pariva as she invited passersby to sample yogurt balls marinated in herb-infused oil. “It’s seeing your friends again. It’s so wonderful. The market managers are wonderful, the people are wonderful. The location is good. It’s a successful market for us.”
Founded in 1991, making it one of the oldest farmers markets in the state, the Waltham Farmers Market migrated to various locations over the years. Its current location at 65 Lexington St., site of the former Elks’ Lodge, is working out well, said Stacey Daley, executive director of the Waltham Fields Community Farm, a longtime vendor at the market. The layout of the lot allows vendors’ vehicles to move easily in and out, while there is sufficient parking nearby for customers.
The market is walking distance to bus stops, the commuter rail and community services, making it accessible to people who do not have cars, and it accepts SNAP cards. These factors are important for the market and vendors like WFCF, whose mission is to provide affordable, fresh and healthy food to everyone in the community, Daley said.
How is the vibe this year? “It feels good,” said Scott Smith of Boston Smoked Fish. “It’s solid right from the start. I’m glad to see familiar faces. It’s a good range of vendors. So, I think it’ll be good. It feels like a neighborhood.”
Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy was spotted at the Springbrook Farm stand. She said she has been visiting the Farmers’ Market since its early days. “I love gardening and when you get fresh things like this, you appreciate it,” she said.
McCarthy approves of the new location. “I think this is a very nice location. People can get in and out without having everybody crowded. The only thing we have to do is make sure they cross the street safely.”
She said she plans to cook the fresh asparagus from the market for dinner, and the strawberries are destined for shortcake.
Visit the Farmers’ Market website for a list of vendors and information on supporting the market through a donation. People can also donate to the SNAP Match Fund to assist neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
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The Waltham Farmers’ Market for many years has hosted at least one HIP vendor and sometimes more. In 2024 and 2025, we have been host to 3 HIP vendors: Dick’s Market Garden, Heavens Harvest Farm (certified organic), and Sibling Crops. Please note that Sibling Crops starts a little later and ends a little earlier than the other two due to the growing cycle for the crops they produce, soo they weren’t at Opening Day on June 7th, but they will be back again this year. We’d love to have more HIP vendors, but the number of farms that are allowed to participate in the program is tightly limited by the state to control the cost of the program. Many farms would love to participate but don’t have the opportunity. The last time MA added new farms to the program was 2022 and that was largely due to the pandemic.
For many years, the Waltham Farmers’ Market has hosted at least two full-season HIP vendors: Dick’s Market Garden and Heavens Harvest Farm (certified organic). We’ve also hosted Sibling Crops for many years and since 2023, they’ve been able to accept HIP as well. They attend for slightly less than the full season due to the growing cycle of their crops, from a few weeks after the market opens until a few weeks before the market closes. We would love to host more HIP vendors. However, the ability to accept HIP is tightly controlled by the state to control the overall cost of the program. The last opportunity to apply was in 2022, largely driven by the pandemic. There are many farms who would like the ability to accept HIP as well. They just don’t even have the opportunity to apply.
As for HIP benefits: farmers, SNAP recipients, and farmers market organizers across the state were shocked by the gutting of the HIP benefits that began on December 1st of last year due to inadequate funding in the state budget. This important food access program was the first of its kind in the country, supporting both those suffering from food insecurity and the farmers that grow food to feed them.
Just today, we heard exciting news! The Dept. of Transitional Assistance (DTA) announced that the HIP monthly benefit is increasing to $40 for all active SNAP households, effective on July 1st, 2025. DTA states that the $40 benefit is the minimum commitment for all active SNAP households in Fiscal Year 2026 (July 2025 – June 2026). HIP customers should be hearing more about this from DTA before July 1.
However, the Senate’s proposed budget of $25.4M for HIP would help restore the tiered funding for HIP based on household size. The budget has gone to conference committee to hammer out the differences between the House and Senate versions. There is still an opportunity to advocate for more funding if you are interested. Campaign for HIP Funding – MA Food System Collaborative:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1brEiy46p0l23wJbUdHwoqkmOAs0U1XrJLDMWVx_p1uA/edit?tab=t.0
Hello.
Thank you for covering this.
I did not attend opening day.
I disagree with Mayor McCarthy on the location.
I think it is awful and would have preferred back to the Embassy lot.
Also Massachusetts has taken away 50% of our HIP snap benefits which will greatly reduce sales for the farmers who accept HIP.
Last year and previous years there is only one vendor.
Just saying.
Thank you.
The Waltham Farmers’ Market is also working to implement a free shuttle from senior housing on the southside as well as from 2 public bus stops on Moody Street. The TickTock trolley will be used to make a half hour round-trip to and from the market, starting at the Mill at 9 AM and running through 2 PM. Please check our website http://www.walthamfarmersmarket.org for updates on the trolley service.