By Michele Taranto

The Norwood Farmers Market (NFM) spanned three seasons in its ‘revived’ state since COVID-19. The 2024 ended season on a cool afternoon on Oct. 15, but what a season it was! For 18 weeks, on Tuesday afternoons, 2-6 p.m., the Norwood Town Common was filled with produce, food, artisan vendors, organizations, shoppers, children, robots, entertainment, and even dogs! Though a few days of extreme heat, the weather on Tuesday afternoons in Norwood was perfect for all this year’s market had to offer. That included a lot more vendors, diverse entertainment, special events, lawn games, and lots and lots of laughter.

“Three’s a Charm,” Farmers Market Organizer Peter McFarland said. “We have doubled the size of the market from less than 15 vendors in 2022, to averaging 30 this year. Next year, we are looking to add more food vendors.”

From its positive attendance numbers, an outdoor market is just what the town wanted and needed. Many who visited even drove from outside Norwood’s borders once word got out of the Market’s great reputation, number and variety of vendors, entertainment, and special events.

This year, five local farmers displayed their produce on the Town Common (three in 2022). Sacred Mushrooms and Microgreens by the Sea also visited Norwood weekly with homegrown vegetables, Jordan’s Fish again provided a fresh protein for dinner as well as the Pumpkin Farm for meat and chicken, and cookies and sweets were on hand to round out the meal. But that is not all that the Market had to offer. There were many artisans selling their homemade items, organizations shared information, and the Morrill Memorial Library sold books to young and old.

Event days were also extremely popular with Pet Day, National Farmers Market Day, 4th of July Celebration, Artist Week, and the most popular, Pumpkinfest to end the season! The Market’s entertainment was also the best around with bands, soloists, and the Walpole Robotics Club was a fan favorite for both kids and parents.

Many thanks are extended to the many sponsors of the Market, who allowed the Market to grow this season. Also, shout outs to the Norwood Department of Public Works for faithfully placing signs throughout town each week, Norwood Light Broadband who was readily available with electrical needs, and especially to the many volunteers, both high school students and adults, who assisted vendors setting up and breaking down their displays. Their assistance and efficiently-run market are some of the reasons Norwood is a favored market among many vendors. New vendors were being added even in the last few weeks due to Norwood’s remarkable reputation.

With Norwood’s centrally-located Town Common, the Central Ave. picnic area, and the Norwood Farmers Market, Tuesday afternoons was the place to be in Town. Be it a hot summer day, or a picturesque, clear afternoon, tents were flapping, music was playing, voices were talking and laughing. All that, while also learning about and purchasing fresh produce from local farms and hand-crafted or all natural goods. The Norwood slogan ‘Buy Local, Eat Health, Build Community,’ checks all the boxes at the Norwood Farmers Market!

Ideas are already in the planning stages for next year’s market…stay tuned Norwood! To remain in the know about the Norwood Farmers Market during the off season, like their Facebook page at NorwoodMAFarmersMarket!