Casey Ballin makes change for a customer at the Lynn Farmers Market on the corner and Union and Exchange Street. The Farmers Market is every Thursday until October.
By now, lovers of fresh, organic produce in Lynn know about the city’s own Thursday afternoon Farmer’s Market in Central Square, but what if you can’t make it to Central Square on a Thursday afternoon? What if another day would be better? Or you simply want to see what other farms have to offer? Especially now that the fall harvest season is drawing nearer?
A quick survey of other farmer’s market in cities and towns along the North Shore of Boston found that fresh produce fans can find a farmer’s market on almost any day of the week, except apparently Friday.
And market aficianados and newscomers alike should be aware that Farmer’s markets vary greatly from one place to another, with some focusing on farm fresh produce, meats and dairy products, while others incorporate music, prepared food vendors, food trucks and even unique, independent retailers and crafters.
If you are tired of doing all of your shopping at big box chain stores, why not try a few of the markets listed below in nearby communities.
Mondays
Beverly Farmers Market: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. until Oct. 26 at the City Parking Lot Southeast Corner at 9500 S. Longwood Drive, Beverly.
Tuesdays
Peabody Farmers Market: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. until Sept. 29 at 24 Lowell Street, Peabody, in front of City Hall.
Saugus/Cliftondale Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Oct. 13 at Cliftondale Square exit off Route 1, Cliftondale Square (Jackson Street).
Wednesdays
Middleton Farmers Market: 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. until Oct. 15 at 145 S. Main Street, Middleton.
Thursdays
Lynn Farmers Market: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Oct. 30, at Central Square at Washington and Exchange streets, Lynn.
Revere Beach Farmers Market: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. until Oct. 17 at the Wonderland T Station, Upper Plaza on Revere Beach Boulevard and Chester Avenue, Revere.
Salem Farmers Market: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. until Oct. 23, in Derby Square on Front Street.
Cape Ann Farmers Market (Gloucester): 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. until Oct. 9 at Stage Fort Park at 24 Hough Ave., Gloucester.
Saturdays
Essex Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. until Oct. 8, at the Essex Municipal Parking Lot on Shepard Drive, Essex.
Marblehead Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to noon at Marblehead Veterans Middle School at 217 Pleasant St., enter from Vine Street.
Topsfield Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to noon through until the end of September on Route 1 northbound immediately before NE Serum pet supply store, about 1,000 feet up the street from the Topsfield Fairgrounds.
Newburyport Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., open year-round at 50 Water St., Newburyport.
Swampscott Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until the end of October at 200 Essex St., Swampscott.
Winthrop Farmer’s Market : 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. open every other week through September 21 in Harold French Square on Woodside Avenue in Winthrop Centre. The remaining open market dates for season are August 24, September 7 and September 21.