Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Published: 4/17/2023 12:29:48 PM
Modified: 4/17/2023 12:29:36 PM
Plans for a new farmers’ market in Mason are underway, with hopes to hold the inaugural market in June.
Nate Choquette, owner of Rustic Wolf Farm in Mason and one of the founders of the market, said stakeholders, including farmers and Select Board member Kate Batcheller, met on Thursday to discuss the logistics of getting a market off the ground.
Choquette said he was approached by Batcheller about interest in starting a market, and said he was immediately interested.
“People have been wanting to do it a long time,” Choquette said, adding that while Mason has a plethora of small farms and producers, they are spread out.
“Our small farms, to make it to them, you’d be driving around for an hour-and-a-half to get meat, greens, eggs and produce,” Choquette said.
The idea behind the Mason market, Choquette said, would be to have a “town supermarket” set up twice a month on the town common. But Choquette said in addition to a one-stop shop for common farm items, it would also be a community event, with additions such as live music, food trucks or movie nights to draw people in for more than just shopping.
Choquette said a local market would be an important source of income for small farms. Choquette, who is on his third year as a full-time producer of salad greens, chicken eggs and meat, said the majority of his sales comes from his farm stand.
The group is anticipating meeting again in early May, and will be disseminating information though the town’s website and the community Facebook group Living in Mason NH, and seeking feedback on what community members would like to see in the market, once it is off the ground.
The market is seeking mainly producers from Mason, though sellers from the surrounding area aren’t prohibited. Interested residents can contact Choquette at 508-259-7880 for more information.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertran script.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.