The Foodshed Alliance Farmers’ Access Network will host the grand opening of the Blairstown Farmers’ Market on June 4.

Sponsored by Newton Medical Center and Re/Max Ridge Realty, the farmers’ market is dedicated to bringing consumers and farmers together. The Market fulfills a major role in the Foodshed Alliance Farmers’ Access Network’s mission to develop a local food system, where eating locally and seasonally is the first choice.

“We want to provide all residents in our area with a centralized location to obtain fresh, locally grown and produced food all grown by our farmers,” explains Executive Director Kendrya Close. “Doing this while meeting your neighbors and helping to support your local farming community makes for an ideal family-focused experience!”

This one-of-a-kind market will feature locally grown foods as well as weekly special events, such as cooking demonstrations,  live music, children’s activities, a Tour de Blairstown bike ride, and seasonal food celebrations. Each week, visitors can find vendors offering everything from meat to cheese, artisan breads to fruit, eggs, baked goods, prepared foods, and all of the fantastic products annual visitors have come to love and rely on.  Specialty products include Southern-style cakes, prepared dinners, soups and sauces, local cheeses, specialty cookies, berries, and pickles of all variety, local honey, and so much more!

The market is proud to be accepting EBT/SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits for the first time this year.  Shoppers can simply bring their EBT card to the table with the sign that says “SNAP/EBT accepted here” at the Foodshed tent. They will then receive market tokens that can be used to buy local, fresh groceries.

The Market, located on Route 521 across from the Blairstown Elementary School next to the Agway, will run every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. through October 31st.  Please visit www.BlairstownFarmersMarket.com for a complete list of vendors and additional information.