An Improved Feature at the Farm Market

Farm Market Report for July 5, 2016 Keith Helmuth

When the Woodstock Farm Market was built in 1991, the deck facing the Meduxnekeag River was included as an outdoor multi-purpose space. It has been used by Market Café customers as a place to eat lunch and as an overflow space for vendors. It has also been used for musical entertainment.

But the deck’s direct exposure to full sun has often kept it from been a comfortable place in the summer. The Market has tried to keep large umbrellas installed over the tables, but they are easily damaged by wind and sometimes by vandalism.

What to do about the deck to make it more useful has been a perennial question on the agenda of the Market’s Board of Directors. We are happy to announce that a big decision has been taken that will make the deck more user friendly. The Market has contracted with Jason Galloway of Top Quality Builders to construct a pergola over the deck.

This open structure will provide the shade needed to make the deck a comfortable place to relax with a morning coffee and cinnamon bun or to have lunch on Friday or Saturday. The other new feature already in place is a Café ordering and a pick up window opening onto the deck. Orders can now be placed and received both inside and outside.

We expect the pergola to be built in the next week or so. Once in place, the deck will take on a whole new feeling of being a protected space but still open with a good view of the riverside. Another nice aspect of this project is that Jim Galloway and Top Quality Builders constructed the Farm Market Building in 1991, and now his son, Jason, is running the business. Seems like a good sign of a sustainable community.

Summer Reading Alert: New Supply of Used Books

 The Market has received large donations of used books in recent weeks and a complete switch has been made. The books that have been on display have been packed up and the shelves are now filled with a whole new selection. We are grateful for the donations and grateful for the readers who buy the used books. All the proceeds from the sale of used books go to the Market Building Fund which helps maintain and improve the premises.

Market Produce Increasing

 The season is building week by week with fresh produce coming into the Market. Beet greens with nice baby beets on them are now available. Several kinds of lettuce and bunches of radish are piled high on Friday mornings. Each week should see new local produce items becoming available. The Market is open 8 to 4 on Friday. Other days of the week it is open 10 to 4. Closed Sunday