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Market Scene: Prudential Center Farmers' Market, Boston

Posted by BostonZest, August 31, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Note: On Mondays, one of our various Market Scene correspondents checks in with what's fresh at farmstands, what's coming up, and what you better get while the gettin's good. This week, we hear from Boston correspondent Penny Cherubino of BostonZest.

[Photographs: Penny Cherubino]

This May, a new farmers' market began operating on the plaza in front of Boston's Prudential Center. As a recent Boston Globe article put it, "Normally, farmers seek markets where they can sell their wares. In Massachusetts, the markets are hustling to find the farmers."

Prudential Market founder Dave Gilson of Gilson Family Herb Enterprises was able to recruit the farms he needed. Last week he said he is pleased to have a great mix of vendors who get along well and help one another.

One of those vendors, Drumlin Farm has a very green story. Owned and operated by Mass Audubon, it's both a working farm and a wildlife sanctuary. Apprentice farmer Greg Bodine explained that the farm promotes awareness of the relationships among people, land, and wildlife.

They grow beautiful produce like cabbage and ground cherries using sustainable agricultural practices—that means no disposable plastics both on the farm and at the market. They sell bio-bags (made of cornstarch) at the market but encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags and containers.

You'll find a line waiting for samples of extraordinary breads at the When Pigs Fly stand. This artisan bakery has a menu of 25 breads that inspire sandwich and French toast makers. They serve up classics like "Multi-Grain Anadama," savory specialties like "Sicilian Green Olive with Hot Cherry Peppers," and sweet options like "Blueberry and Raspberry with Lemonade."

The farmers from Flats Mentor Farm have a perfect solution for shoppers who like a variety of greens. They offer beautiful bouquets of crisp young lettuces—just enough for two big salads.

If you want a prepared salad, the Sel de la Terre stand offers them along with ice cream, sandwiches, breads, cookies, pastries, and bread. They also sell produce from Apple Street Farm. This 230-year-old farm is now home to chef Frank McClelland of restaurants L'Espalier and Sel de La Terre.

Prudential Farmers' Market

Boylston Plaza
800 Boylston Street b/n the Hynes Auditorium and the entrance to the Shops at the Prudential (map)
Every Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., through October 29

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Tags: Boston, farmers' markets, Market Scene, Massachusetts, Prudential Center Farmers' Market

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