This Year's Norwood Farmers Market Offering More Than Just Veggies

In her first year as manager of the Norwood Farmers Market, Laurie Shea is hoping to draw more than those who are just looking to buy fresh, local produce.

Shea is hoping that the addition of live music, events for kids and a live chef's demonstration will make the market more of a weekly go-to event than just a place to stock up on fruits and veggies.

"I don’t want 10 farms that are going to sell the same vegetables, we’re trying to make it more diverse,” she said.

The market will run every Tuesday from June 18 through Oct. 8 from 12-5:30 p.m.

The calendar on their website is filling up quickly with different events and activities for market-goers.

One of the new events she is hoping will take off is the Chef's Table. Chef Giuseppe Tropeano of Lewis' in Norwood will be offering a cooking demo with food used straight from the farm stands.

“We’re hoping to get the farmers to donate the vegetables and then he’s going to come and whatever they give him he’s going to do a demonstration,” Shea said, likening it to an episode of 'Chopped'.

Shea is hoping more local restaurants will want give demos as well.

For the kids, employees from the Norwood CrossFit will be doing an exercise class, Morrill Library will be hosting a story time and a local beekeeper will be giving a live demonstration.

“One of the main goals of the farmers market is really to generate traffic for the downtown area,” Shea said. “So we try to have little draws that may bring people down to get out and see what’s down there and maybe buy from local farmers as well as maybe walk up town and have lunch.”

Shea said preparations for this year's market are going smoothly and that many of the farms from last year are excited to participate again.

They are even attracting new vendors like Bellingham-based Wheatless Bliss, a gluten-free bakery that offers breads, cookies, brownies and cakes.

“We only have so much space so we’re not really expanding the amount of tables we have but we are trying to create more of a draw other than just to get your vegetables,” Shea said.

For more information about the Norwood Farmers Market visit their website www.norwoodfarmersmarket.com.