BERLIN – Along with warmer temperatures, the Berlin Farmers Market will return to town this month.
The Berlin Farmers Market will kick off the 2015 season today, April 3, in the field along Harrison Avenue. The market will be open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We’re excited it’s finally spring,” said Susan Wood, market master in Berlin. “We’re ready to get going.”
Wood expects between six and eight vendors to show up for the April 3 market. A special guest for the day will be a daffodil farmer from Stockton who will be selling cut flowers as well as taking orders for bulbs that will be distributed in the fall.
In addition, Wood expects a handful of the market’s usual vendors. Though it’s too early in the year for much produce, the market will feature eggs, local seafood and some vegetables.
As the year progresses and the weather heats up, the market will grow to more than 16 vendors, Wood said. In addition to those who attended last year, a winery will join the lineup. Wood says applications from a pasta maker and gluten-free baker are currently being reviewed. She’s hoping to find a beekeeper willing to come to sell honey as well.
In June, the market will expand its schedule to include Wednesdays as well as Fridays. On Wednesdays, the market will operate from 3-6 p.m.
“People want a market that’s open later in the day,” Wood said.
She said customer feedback during the past year indicated that many customers wanted to be able to visit the market after work hours or on Saturdays.
“It was 100 percent consistent that we’d have more attendance if we went to a Saturday market or had a market later in the day,” Wood said.
Because many of the Berlin vendors participate in other area farmers markets on Saturdays, that wasn’t an option, Wood said. Instead, the Berlin vendors decided to offer Wednesday afternoon hours. Those will begin the first Wednesday after Memorial Day.
Wood says 2015 will mark the Berlin Farmers Market’s third season in its location in the field owned by the Berlin Fire Company. Though at the time vendors protested leaving the downtown parking lot that for years was home to the market, Wood says the move has worked out well.
“We have a very good relationship with the fire department,” she said, “and we’ve got room to expand.”
For information on the market, contact Wood at 410-726-7674 or via email at [email protected].