Why bother going to a farmer’s market in the winter?  If you live in New England are you just going to a room full of booths with kale and other hardy greens?  Fear not, the winter’s farmers markets go way beyond root vegetables and fibrous greens.  There is locally roasted coffee, baked treats to keep you well-padded for those cold winter days, East Coast citrus to keep you full of vitamin C, and so much more.

Here are the farmer’s markets you might want to visit these cold winter months.

Chelmsford Agway Winter Market
Saturdays from 10:00 – 2:00 p.m. @ 24 Maple Road, Chelmsford

You’ll find brussels sprouts, squash, carrots, kale and eggs as well as cider and cheese from Jones Farm. If you don’t have time to cook then Brandy Wine Farm will have plenty of stews and soups for you to grab and go.  Fish from Seafood Express will help you stick to your New Year’s resolution.  Bagel Land will have bagels as well as some gluten-free options. There will be plenty of other options from Lyn-Dell Farm’s meat to Got Thyme pot pies, and quiches.  You can go green with spinach pies and baklava from Spinach Pie Guy.  Pancake mornings can be topped off with maple syrup from Warren Farm & Sugarhouse.  Then of course you might need a cannoli from Joni’s cannolis for the ride home or a bretzel from Swissbäkers and some Muddy Water Coffee Roasters beans for the road.

Somerville Winter Farmer’s Market
Saturdays 9:30 to 2:00 p.m. @ 191 Highland Ave, Somerville

The Somerville Winter market is like a little weekend party.  There is always something festive going on.  While you shop for you hummus from Seta’s Mediterranean Foods, you’ll take in the sounds of friends and neighbours chatting, children giggling, and see and smell all kinds of baked goodies for Hi Rise Bakery, Violette Gluten Free, or Great Cape Bakery.  Fiore di Nonno will tempt you with their fresh mozzarella and burrata.  Seafood from Jordan Brothers seafood will save you from the meat and potato doldrums of winter. Winter Moon Roots will keep your root cellar full.  You’ll find honey, chocolate, eggs and on occasion citrus from Florida (not sure if they still come but last time I went to the market they did.)

Boston Prudential Center MarketThursdays from 11:00 to 6:00 p.m. @ 800 Boylston St.

This is a year round market.  It is a smaller market but good things come in small packages.  You’ll find the fabulous Q’s nuts, Herb Lyseum, MacArthur Farm and the fabulous Stir it Up (my favourite hot pepper jelly).  As for fish, you can get your fair share from the Cape Cod Fish Share.

Cambridge Winter Farmer’s MarketSaturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. @ 5 Callender St.

Opening day was postponed.  So, this Saturday, January 11th is opening day for the market.  Like the other markets there is a bit of everything.  Seafood, maple syrup, cider, vegetables from the root cellars and the hot houses, wine, and more.  You can pick up treats for breakfast or lunch and groceries for the week.  There will be milk, cheese, butter, eggs and bread to keep the larder stocked as well.

Wayland Winter Farmer’s Market
Saturdays from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m. @ 397 Boston Post Road

This one is on my “go to” list.  I’ve been wanting to make it to this winter market for a while now because they have so many great vendors.  This year they have even added farm fiber days on Saturday, January 25 and February 22.  New England farmers will bring their own hand spun and hand dyed yarn, roving, top, raw and washed fleece. Finished products include woven, knit and felted items, including the Baaay State Blanket. For a list of vendors to see why I love this market already check it out here.

These are just a few of the winter farmer’s market.  To find one that works with your schedule or in your neighbourhood, head on over to Farmfresh.org.