PROVIDENCE - Just in time for the holidays, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced that as part of its "Get Fresh. Buy Local" campaign, winter farmers' markets will be open across the state this weekend. The markets will feature an array of local products - from seafood to meats, produce, and prepared foods and gifts.
"The winter markets are great places to purchase fresh, delicious local food while supporting Rhode Island businesses," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "I can think of no better way to dress the Thanksgiving table than with Rhode Island-grown turkey, locally harvested fish, or farm-fresh potatoes, apples, cider or winter squash. I hope everyone will join me this weekend in visiting a local market to get fresh, and buy local!"
Markets, locations and operating times are as follows:
Farm Fresh RI Wintertime Farmers' Market, Pawtucket Hope Artiste Village, 1005 & 999 Main Street Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April 29
Mount Hope Farm, Bristol 250 Metacom Avenue Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round
Aquidneck Growers Market, Middletown Newport Vineyards, 909 East Main Road Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round
Coastal Growers Winter Farmers' Market, North Kingstown Lafayette Mill Complex, 650 Ten Rod Road Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. through April 29
South Kingstown Indoor Winter Farmers' Market, Peace Dale Peacedale Mill Complex, 1425 Kingstown Road Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through April 29
Schoolyard Market, Warren Hope & Main Food Incubator, 691 Main Street Select Sundays (December 18, January 15, February 19, March 19, & May 21) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Farm Fresh RI Woonsocket Farmers' Market, Woonsocket Thundermist Health Center, 450 Clinton Street Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. year-round
DEM's Get Fresh. Buy Local campaign supports efforts to increase local awareness and consumption of Rhode Island-sourced products and to build a sustainable food system in the state. Rhode Island's food sector is experiencing significant growth, and efforts are underway to develop the state's first statewide food strategy. Winter farmers' markets play an important role in supporting a strong food system by increasing Rhode Islanders' access to affordable, local products and providing a marketplace for local farmers during the off-season. Rhode Island's food system supports 60,000 jobs, and it is one of few states where the number of farms is on the rise, now standing at more than 1,200 farms. The state also leads the nation in the percent of farms selling directly to the public.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.