BCFM Week 8: 2025.08.04

Aug 2025

Welcome Market Lovers!

Rabbit, Rabbit & Welcome August!

Hey, it’s National Farmers Market Week (NFMW) August 3-9, 2025!

This week, let’s see everyone giving a high five to the Billerica Community Farmers Market Committee, vendors, volunteers, entertainers, and of course our customers!

Here is the question on everybody’s mind these days….

Is produce from the farmers market better?

More than 85% of farmers market vendors traveled fewer than 50 miles to sell at a farmers markets. In fact, more than half of farmers traveled less than 10 miles to their market, according to the USDA…
Compare that to most supermarkets where seven to fourteen days can go by between the time produce is picked and when it becomes available to shoppers. In that time, fruits and vegetables travel, on average, more than 1,200 miles before reaching grocery store shelves. Locally grown produce sold at the farmers market is made available at the peak of freshness and nutrient content. Moreover, when farmers can select plants and animal breeds for superior flavor and quality without having to worry about about shelf life or long-distance shipping, quality and taste improves. You can also find food at the farmers market that most grocery stores don’t stock such as farm-fresh eggs, lamb, duck, or heirloom tomatoes.

Source: farmersmarketcoalition.org

Market Happenings:

BIG TENT - Enjoy live music by local artist, Bob Leger. Get out of the elements, grab a spot at a table, wear a smile and breath. It’s a great opportunity to slow down from the busy day and meet new friends.

KIDS TENT - Each week we feature free kids crafts, games or activities. Staffed by our volunteer art directors, there’s will always be fun things to do at this tent. Don’t miss stopping by.

DEMO TENT - The MMGA staffs Ask-a-Master-Gardener (AAMG) tables at dozens of events each year. We are excited to have our local Master Gardener, Susan Haas and her team back this week to answer all your questions!

DEMO TENT #2 - Our very own Katie Shubin demonstrates how to make herbal vinegar with ingredients from your garden &/or Farmers Market. Demos are planned for 3:30pm and 5:30pm.

COMMUNITY PARTNER TENTS - Town of Billerica - Storm Water and Town of Billerica - Health and Wellness

MARKET MANAGERS TENT - Located at the main entrance at Grove Street stop by to find out more about our Market, ask questions, discover how you can volunteer, and redeem your SNAP & SUN BUCKS benefits.

TAKE PICTURES - We want to see and show everyone all the fun going on but we can’t be everywhere in the crowd. We invite you to take pictures of your experiences at the Market and share them on our Facebook Group.

At the market this week, try to find one fruit or vegetable for every color in the rainbow, take pictures, then post them on our site!

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We’ll meet you at the market!

Now in its 26th year, this annual celebration highlights the vital role farmers markets play in our nation’s food system.

This Week’s BCFM Vendor Schedule

FARMS (7)

Bitznpeace Farm
Field vegetables, honey, maple syrup, eggs, plants, flowers
Full Shade Farms
Gourmet mushrooms
Gaouette Farm
Grows and sells a wide variety or organically grown fruits and vegetables.
Meta Microgreens
Microgreens, shoots, baby leaf greens, grow your own kits for pets and humans, wheatgrass.
Spring Brook Farms
Produce, Meat, eggs, honey, jams, maple syrup, granola, fruits, wraps, focaccia, cookies, salads, produce, focaccia
Wilmington Honey Bee
Jars of honey, honey sticks, honey candy
Wonky Willow Gardens
Fresh cut flower bouquets, paper wrapped and jar options.

FOOD TRUCKS (5)

What the Fork
Empanada Dada
Kona Ice of MA
Bird's Nest Italian Street Food
Dom's Food Truck

PREPARED FOODS (13)

Fudge N Stuff
Blisspoint Meadery
ONN Specialties
Heavnly Dogs and Catering
Sophie's Apples
Seafood Express Co ~ You may Order for Market pickup
Old Mill House Coffee
The Stand “Shaken not Stirred” Lemonade
Jennifer Lee's Bakery
Roma’s Bakery Inc
Black Sheep Craft Ice Cream
Cara’s Cookies
Knot Just Cake, LLC

ARTISANS (7)

Medford Soap Company
Chiron Botanicals
Hannons Creations LLC
Maeberry Naturals
BenAnna Split Customs
Shiny Things
Artify_bytasha

Explore All of Our 2025 Vendors on our website

This Week’s Vendor Spotlights

-> Wilmington Honey: A Sweet Family Tradition Born in a Backyard

Wilmington Honey is more than just a local honey vendor — it's a family-run labor of love that began in the backyard of the Lewis family during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. What started in 2019 as a hobby quickly blossomed into a full-fledged business, thanks to the passion and curiosity of Matt and Tom Lewis, along with their father and close family friends.

Rooted in Wilmington, MA, the family maintains hives in their backyard and on nearby farms, where local growers welcome the bees to help pollinate crops. This close connection to the land ensures that Wilmington Honey is truly local — harvested from wildflowers and native plants that thrive in the area.

Wilmington Honey offers two seasonal harvests:

Spring Honey – Light, sweet, and mild in flavor.
Fall Honey – Richer and more robust, with deeper floral notes.

Both varieties are raw and unfiltered, preserving the natural enzymes and nutrients that many believe can help with seasonal allergies. By consuming honey made from local pollen, customers may find relief from spring and fall allergy symptoms.

The Lewis family is also experimenting with creamed honey—a smooth, spreadable version of their raw honey that’s perfect on toast or biscuits. It’s made using only their honey, gently crystallized and whipped into a creamy texture.

Now in their fourth year at the Billerica Community Farmers Market, Wilmington Honey continues to thrive on the support of the local community. “We love the vibe here,” says Matt. “Everyone’s smiling, and there’s such a great variety of vendors — from handmade crafts to all-natural foods.”

Whether you're a honey connoisseur or just discovering the benefits of local raw honey, Wilmington Honey offers a taste of something truly special—crafted with care, rooted in family, and buzzing with community spirit.

This Week’s Vendor Spotlights

-> Empanada Dada

If you’ve ever followed the irresistible aroma of sizzling empanadas at the Billerica Community Farmers Market, chances are you’ve met Bob Cuesta — better known as the Empanada Dada. Bob launched Empanada Dada in 2017 after leaving his corporate job to pursue a lifelong passion rooted in his Cuban heritage. His parents immigrated to the U.S. in 1962. Empanadas have been a staple in his life and now he's sharing them with others.

What started as a fun catering side gig quickly turned into a full-time food truck business that now serves communities across Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. For the past eight years, Bob has been delighting customers with his flavorful, handmade empanadas—especially the Beef Picadillo, his signature original, packed with ground beef, tomato, onion, pepper, garlic, raisins, peas, beer, and a blend of spices.

Bob loves the energy of the Billerica market: “It’s well-run, well-attended, and the customers are just great — friendly, loyal, and always happy to tell you when you’re doing something right.” Whether he’s at a farmers market, brewery, or private event, Bob says the best part of the job is seeing people smile as they walk away with a warm empanada in hand.

Be sure to stop by Empanada Dada next time you’re at the market — you’ll taste the love in every bite.

This Week’s Entertainment

-> Keep eyes on our Newsletters, Website and Facebook page to stay informed of our Market’s Weekly Themes & Activities.

Bob Leger returns!

He is a favorite for audiences of all ages. Let’s sing along with Bob!

Ask a Master Gardner

Susan Haas will be staffing the Demo Tent to answer your toughest questions.

If you have a plant problem or garden design issue, please bring photos.

Herbal Vinegar Demo by Katie Shubin at 3:30pm & 5:30pm

Katie will be creating a delicious home made herbal vinegar which may be used on top of salads and in cooking to add the flavor of summertime.

For her demonstration, Katie will use fresh local herbs sourced from the Farmers Market. All parts of the herb can be used, e.g. flowers, stems, leaves.

Some herb options to try: Dill flowers in white vinegar, Cilantro flowers in ACV, Basil flowers in ACV, Fresh chives in white vinegar, Lemon balm in ACV, Catmint flowers in white vinegar, Tyme, oregano & parsley in acv, Rosemary in white vinegar.

This Week’s Community Partner Tables

Town of Billerica

Storm Water

Christina Papadopoulos, Stormwater Engineer for the Town of Billerica, discusses how stormwater gets polluted and what we can do to help reduce stormwater pollution.

Health and Wellness

Supports the health and well-being of Billerica's residents through its mission to: engage - educate - energize.

The Bees Knees

It’s so delicious and just right when you want a refreshing drink with (or without) alcohol. It's so easy to make, it will quickly become your favorite honey lemonade!

Fill glass 3/4 with ice
Add 1 tablespoon rosemary honey simple syrup
1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Top with sparkling water until glass is full and then stir to combine.

To make it a cocktail, simply swap sparkling water with sparking wine or 1 ½ ounces gin.

Change up the fresh herbs in your simple syrup - lavender, rosemary, mint, basil - try different combinations with different types of honey or fruit juice for your own.

How to make the rosemary honey simple syrup

1 cup Honey
1 cup Water
1 Sprig of rosemary

First, grab a sprig of rosemary from your garden or the Farmers Market. Next, in a small saucepan heat the honey and water over medium heat, stirring occasionally until honey is dissolved. Turn off the heat, add the rosemary sprig and steep for 20 minutes, covered. Remove the rosemary sprig and strain into a glass jar. Keep in the refrigerator for one month.

2025 BCFM Sponsors & Donors

The Billerica Community Farmers Market relies on your donations to cover costs. Our success and overall existence is due to the generous support of Corporate Sponsors, Friends of the Market, Grants, Volunteers, Residents and surrounding Communities.

Please consider making monetary contributions to the Billerica Community Farmers Market. Sponsorships and donations help us sustain our food assistance programs, support local farms and business, and provide a fun, social gathering space for our community

2025 Corporate Sponsors:

Lowell Five
Stoneham Bank
Wrap 4 cars
Billerica Access TV
Burns & Egan Realty Group
Dan’s Auto Repair
EZ Tax & Accounting
Fitzpatrick & Goguen CPAs P.C.
John McBride Insurance Agency
Kasher Corp.
9round.com Fitness & Kickboxing

Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors & Donors!

-> Be part of our story! Start now by visiting our Website or stopping by the Market Managers tent.

Special Mention to Friends of the Market

Farm Market East Grant
Market Basket
The Stand “Shaken Not Stirred” Lemonade
Town of Billerica Community Funds Grant
Town of Billerica Select Board
Town of Billerica Recreation Department

With much appreciation to our Corporate Sponsors and Grants, we are able to match up to $15.00 per family visit, as long as funding allows. Find out if you are eligible for SNAP benefits.

-> Redeem SNAP at the Market Managers Tent.

SUN Bucks is now a permanent federal food benefit for low-income families with school-aged children. Families will receive $120 per child between Jul and Sep to help cover grocery costs when school is out. We will match up to $15.00 per child visit, as long as funding allows. Learn more about Massachusetts Sun Bucks Program

-> Redeem SUN Bucks at the Market Managers Tent.

Per order of the Billerica Board of Health, animals are prohibited at the Billerica Community Farmers Market.

Be prepared, rain or shine!

-> We will be there!

Free parking is available

~ on Grove Street across from the Emerald Rose

~ at Community Congregational Church at 803 Boston Rd.

Exciting news! The LRTA bus that stops across the street from our market is free through Sept. 30! Check it out and plan your trip this Monday.

It's clean, it's green, and it's FREE!

https://lrta.com/routes/route-13/

THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR PART - We ask for your help to keep our location tidy and well maintained by cleaning up after yourself and leaving the area the way you found it.

- Please do not litter

- Minimize your own trash; reduce the amount of waste you bring into the Market by using re-usable containers that you can bring home afterwards.

- Use the garbage cans located throughout the Market.

- Practice pack it in, pack it out; if you bring something with you, take it with you when you leave.

- Treat the property at the Market with respect: Tents, Tables, Chairs, Portable Restrooms, Handwashing Stations, Signs, Vehicles, Materials, etc.

- Inform the Market Managers promptly of any concerns or ideas to keep the area clean & safe.

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