The Andover Farmers Market is in the middle of its 20th season, a milestone that landed during National Farmers Market Week, Aug. 3-9.
Founded in 2006 through the efforts of a Phillips Academy student and the Andover Center for History & Culture, the market has grown from a small Saturday gathering into a producer-only operation where every farmer, food vendor and artisan sells what they grow or make themselves. Farmer Dave's, Gaouette Farm, Liberty Hill, Pleasant Valley Gardens and Tewksbury Honey are among the vendors filling the stalls this summer at 34 Bartlet St., adjacent to Andover Town Park.
South Church in Andover took over management of the market in 2020 from the Andover Center for History & Culture. A team of mostly volunteers from the community keeps it running each week, and the market is financially self-sufficient.
The season runs every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 17. The market sits within walking distance of the MBTA Andover commuter rail stop, MVRTA bus routes and the Robb Center senior center.
Beyond fresh produce, the market runs weekly children's programming, including Music Hours and the POP Club, which gives kids tokens to buy their own fruits and vegetables from participating farms.
Food access built in
The market accepts SNAP/EBT and matches up to $25 per market day, effectively doubling a shopper's buying power. It also accepts SUN Bucks with a $25 weekly match, HIP, WIC and Senior FMNP coupons. Farmer Dave's is the designated HIP vendor.
Food assistance information is available in Spanish, Chinese and Ukrainian.
Each week, the market collects donations for the Village Food Hub, which operates a 24/7 food pantry at Ballard Vale Church on Clark Road. The market has canceled only once since 2020, after a September 2023 microburst knocked out power across much of Andover and left roads impassable.
What's ahead
- Andover Farmers Market: every Saturday through Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 34 Bartlet St.
- Andover Holiday Market: Saturday, Dec. 5, noon to 6 p.m., South Church, 41 Central St. Proceeds benefit market operations and food justice programs.
