Winchester Winter Farmers Market To Raise Funds for Local Farmers

The following was submitted by the Winchester Farmers Market.

Corn has become a scarce commodity.

Over the first three years of the , come October, Ed Silvia of E.L. Silvia Farm, donates a couple bushels of corn each week so that the farmers market can roast them and freely hand them out to market customers on Saturday mornings.

It was a way the farmers market expressed their gratitude to their customers.

This year, though, the corn roast is not occurring.

Weather-wise, 2011 had been a difficult year for many farmers. And once Hurricane Irene hit, the difficulties increased exponentially.

Flats Mentor Farm stopped coming to the market entirely—their field was completely flooded out.

And the selection of produce at some market stands dwindled dramatically, including the supply of corn.

About a month ago an Emergency Farm Fund was set up to help farmers affected by Hurricane Irene. It was launched by Community Involved in Sustainable Agriculture (CISA) in partnership with Whole Foods, Equity Trust, and individual donors. The fund is a revolving fund for quick, zero-interest loans. After it helps farmers recover from the aftermath of this past storm and flooding, it will be used for future disasters.

The fund will be managed by CISA and the other major funders, as well as the Mass Department of Agriculture. Winchester Farmers Market’s indoor holiday market is an opportunity to raise donations for the CISA Emergency Farm Fund.

After paying for expenses, all moneys raised for the indoor market will be donated to the fund. Individual donations can be made at the market manager’s booth. Please join us for this holiday market at the , Nov. 19, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.