A new season of the Wilmot Farmers Market offers a medley of programs for a variety of shoppers. The young folks can visit the market and participate in the Power of Produce (POP) Program. Beginning on June 29, POP offers education activities about produce for 8 consecutive weeks. After finishing the activities, participants get $3 in POP bucks to spend on fruits and vegetables at the market. Vendors are asked to have items available at their tent in small amounts to allow for their small purchase. Aimed to introduce farmers markets to elementary aged children, the program is a cooperative effort maintained by Vital Communities.
Vital Communities is also reaching out to help farm vendors and promote the market. Participating farms will get advice on displays, including funding help to implement suggestions. The program aims to increase farm sales, improve market images and help sustain the area farms and markets.
Another market partner is Merrimack County Conservation District (MCCD) which operates the market’s EBT/SNAP, granite state market match and veterans programs. SNAP/EBT benefits can be used at the market to buy eligible food products. For every dollar taken off a patron’s benefit card, an equal match (up to $20) is given in match tokens. The tokens are accepted for food items except for ready to eat on the premise items and drinks. The program allows benefits to go twice the distance.
MCCD introduced the Veteran’s Bucks program midway through last season and will continue through this season though funding has reduced the allowed weekly benefit. As a thank you for their service, Veterans receive $10 certificates to spend on items from any participating vendor. The MCCD coupons can also be used at other MCCD sponsored markets. The Wilmot board of directors is asking for donations to enable Wilmot Market Veteran customers to receive last year’s amount of $20/market. The board needs to raise about $900 to fund at this level. Any additional funds will be managed using the issuance of additional Wilmot Farmers Market certificates that will redeemed exclusively at the Wilmot Market. Donations gratefully accepted; made payable to the Wilmot Farmers Market with Veterans in the memo line. Drop donations off at the EBT/SNAP/Veterans tent, operated by Featherstone Farm owner and board member Christine StClair or mailed to WFM, PO Box 385, Wilmot NH 03287.
Other community partners that make the market possible are our sponsors. Many thanks to the following groups, businesses and individuals that support our market: Blazing Star Grange #71, Eagle Pond Studio Architects, Floorcraft LLC & Storage, InterTown Record, Mascoma Savings Bank, Milestone Real Estate, Sugar River Bank , Walker Automotive Service, Wilmot Ladies Aid Society and Wilmot Market Friends.
The Wilmot market runs every Saturday through September, rain or shine, from 9 to noon on the Wilmot Town Green, 9 Kearsarge Valley Road in Wilmot Flat NH. There is live music ebbing from the bandstand and a variety of farms, artisans and specialty food producers. Go to Wilmotfarmersmarket.com for education tent and music schedule and vendor details.