Visit the Hingham Farmers’ Market this Saturday in Honor of Hingham Farmers’ Market Day

Hingham’s popular farmers’ market officially came into existence in 1977 and is recognized as the Commonwealth’s third oldest. It had existed for many years previously and, while we don’t know exactly when it began, we do know that Hingham had a vibrant agricultural community of which it was a part.

This Saturday marks the end of Farmers’ Market Week across the country, and the Hingham Selectmen have pronounced it Hingham Farmers Market Day.  Selectman Joseph Fisher will read the proclamation at 10am. Come join us on what is an important day in the history of the HFM.

Farmers’ markets in general, and the HFM in particular, do more than afford farmers the ability to sell the fruits of their labor directly to their customers. Not only do all of us benefit from the finest and freshest food grown close by, we and our children also learn more about what it takes to grow our food.

Furthermore, farmers’ markets are incubators for people with ideas they want to try out. The HFM is primarily a horticultural and agricultural market, but that doesn’t mean that people who want to create food and plant-related products aren’t welcome. The baked goods, jams & jellies, cut flowers and processed foods offered at the HFM all represent products for enterprising people to bring to market.  Success isn’t guaranteed, but the HFM has seen a lot of it.

And, not to be forgotten, is the sense of community that farmers’ markets foster. Visit any market and just stop and listen. There’s a buzz in the air. It’s one of people coming together, meeting and making friends. Slowing down. Talking with one another. The HFM leaders learned long ago that for some the weekly visit is a family tradition, one that takes on as many forms as there are families.

The administration of the HFM, largely volunteer, takes its responsibility to the Town, its citizens and its vendors seriously. Administrators have come to recognize that the HFM represents a significant source of income for vendors and that they depend on the market to provide a safe, secure and convenient place to do business. So, too, does the administration take its responsibilities to the Town and its citizens seriously. The HFM pays rent, a reasonable fee for the privilege of using Town property each week during the season. In addition, the market provides a police detail officer each week to assist with any public safety issues that may arise, and it also provides a portable toilet for use by visitors.

Over the past several years, the HFM has been supported by the generous contributions of local businesses. Hingham Institution for Savings has been an underwriter for many years, and recently The Fruit Center Marketplace began underwriting a program that helps SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) customers stretch their purchasing power. It’s this spirit of cooperation and teamwork, combined with the support of numerous local governmental agencies that makes the HFM one of the most respected markets in the state.