Save the Date: Westwood Farmers Market to Open June 19

Mark your calendars, local shoppers. Officials have confirmed the start date for to be on Tuesday, June 19.

"It's the first time we're doing it," said Westwood Economic Development Officer Chris McKeown. "It's a nice amenity to the town. I think by and large people are looking forward to it."

The market will be held in the parking lot of the /Council on Aging on Tuesdays through Oct. 30, and will be open from 1 to 6 p.m., rain or shine. 

"I think it's a fantastic idea," said Shirley Robbins, who is coordinating the market, which was previously located in Norwood. "I think it's great for the COA. It's also great for us. I'm very grateful to the town of Westwood for the help they've given me."

Robbins is also the owner of of Westport-based Paradise Hill Farm, which will be one of the five initial vendors to set up shop in June. All vendors made up the Norwood Farmers Market last year; the new location in Westwood is less than two miles from the former spot on Nahatan Street in Norwood. 

The full list of vendors is as follows:

• Paradise Hill Farm of Westport
• E. L. Silvia Farm of Dighton
• Sunshine Farm of Sherborn
• of Newtonville
• Jordan Brothers Seafood of Stoughton

"It's the same group that was in Norwood," Robbins said, adding that there may be more vendors added in the future. "I would like the market to grow, but I don't want to have it grow [quickly] and then have it not work. So I'm keeping it the same as it was last year, with anticipation of growth in the future."

Westwood COA Director Pat Larkin said she is excited and more than open to having the market closer to town. 

"It should be a very good thing," Larkin said. "[Seniors] come by van here for their programs, so now they can go outside and go right to the farmers market."

The market should also be a welcome convenience for low-income seniors in town who have qualified in the past for a discount on items at the Norwood Farmers Market, Larkin said. That discount will continue this year through a collaboration between the Westwood COA and HESSCO Elder Services. 

"We give out $25 worth of coupons, and they're able to puchase anything they care to at the farmers market," Larkin said.