Keeping It Fresh: AFM Holds First-Ever Spring Market, April 7

The all-volunteer run and widely popular Ashland Farmers Market (AFM) will hold its first-ever spring market on April 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ashland Middle School, 87 West Union St.
“We’ll have at least 25 food vendors participating, including summer market favorites: The Coffee Trike, brewing fresh hot tea, hot chocolate, and of course, coffee; La Maison a Gateaux will be back to serve up their amazing French crepes while you wait,” Eric Brooks, AFM board member, said.
AFM promises some new vendors as well. “We will feature some cool new vendors at the April market,” Brooks said. “Sweet Tahini owner Hila Krikov will bring her tahini-based baked goods, spreads and truffles. Talia Hirsch, owner of Plant-Based Provisions, will bring her lightly sweetened silky puddings. Free of refined sugars and all eight major allergens, Talia uses vegan, organic ingredients. And Aukalife owner Lauren Lampert will introduce her organic superfood blends to AFM customers.”
“AFM customers have always been very receptive to trying new things at our market, and I’m excited to hear their impressions of these new ones,” Brooks said.
April’s Kids’ Corner will feature an interactive storm water demonstration sponsored by the town’s storm water advisory committee. Some questions they will explore are: What is a storm drain? How is it different from a sewer? Do you experience flooding/’ponding’ in your street? What is a watershed and how does it function? What can we do about storm water pollution? What are the impacts to our creeks and lakes? How does storm water pollution impact wild life and aquatic life?
Steve Mitchell, an AFM board member and a market founder in 2012, said, “I often hear from folks how the market is one of the best things that has happened in Ashland in a long time. I think that is because it brings together people of all ages, from all corners of town. It’s a labor of love.”
For more information on the spring market, visit www.ashlandfarmersmarket.org/event/spring-indoor-market.
AFM will open its weekly outdoor market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays, June 9 through October 6, at 125 Fountain St., on the grass across from the library.
AFM Scholarships Available
AFM will once again offer two scholarships to Ashland high school graduating seniors.
“From the beginning, one of the core pillars of our mission has been to educate residents about nutrition and sustainable agriculture, as well as to build community in the wonderful town we have here in Ashland,” Kelly Vaast, an AFM board member, said. “Our scholarship program is a direct outgrowth of that mission. This year, we’ll be awarding two $1,000-scholarships to Ashland High School seniors who have been active members of the community and whose planned field of study is in line with the mission of AFM, such as agriculture and nutritional science.”
The deadline to apply is May 1. For an application, visit www.ashlandfarmersmarket.org/2018-scholarship.
Changes to HIP, Support of SNAP
Though federal funding has run out for HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) and the program will be suspended on April 15, AFM patrons can still use HIP at the April 7 indoor market, for food from Upswing and Long Life farms. If approved in the upcoming federal budget, HIP may be reinstated in July 2018. AFM will keep patrons posted. In the meantime, the market will continue to support AFM-funded SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) up to a $20 weekly match. Visit the market managers’ table on April 7 for more information.