Market Scene: Copley Square and Prudential in Boston

[Photographs: Penny Cherubino]

Boston's farmers' market season opened at the Copley Square market under less than favorable weather. This is one of the longest running and largest markets in the city. Operating two days each week, nearly 30 vendors sell their goods at this busy marketplace in the heart of Boston.

Locals shop here for produce, plants, cheese, meat, prepared foods and bakery products. Visitors touring nearby historic sites grab a bite here. And, hundreds of workers from surrounding office towers make Copley part of their summer lunch breaks.

Despite the weather, Copley shoppers were happy to have their market back. Farms soon sold out of early season crops like this rhubarb from Hamilton Orchards.

Later that week, the Prudential Farmers' Market opened under much warmer skies. Prudential is one of the newer Boston area markets, and one of the first to take advantage of legislation allowing Massachusetts Farm Wineries to sell at farmers' markets. By last week, Prudential shoppers were sunning themselves between visits to bakeries, meat purveyors, a winery, farm stands, nut roasters, and herb growers.

More Boston area neighborhoods will have their favorite farmers back in the weeks ahead. The organization Mass Farmers' Markets has all the details.

In Season Right This Minute

Asparagus Salad Greens Rhubarb Annuals Vegetable Plants Herbs Radishes Green Garlic Fiddlehead Ferns Greenhouse Cucumbers Spinach Swiss Chard Eggs Honey Meats Roasted Nuts

Coming Soon

Hardy Greens Scallions Field Cucumbers

Copley Square Farmers' Market St. James Avenue, Dartmouth Street and Boylston Street, Boston MA (map) Tuesdays and Fridays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Prudential Cneter Farmers' Market 800 Boylston Street, Boston MA (map) Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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