BCFM Week 4: 2025.07.07

July 2025

Thank you for your service!

First Responders with an ID or wearing a uniform are eligible for a free Lemonade.

Welcome Market Lovers!

The Market’s First Responder Appreciation Day is sponsored by The Stand “Shaken not Stirred.” Today we celebrate and honor the men and women who have chosen to be Firefighters, Police, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and Dispatchers who serve our community. We appreciate and admire the dedication and the courage it takes to do such a difficult and sometimes dangerous job.

We thank First Responders for their service and for keeping our community safe. You are heroes!

What’s in Season this week:

Do you know what’s in Season at the market this week? Find out with
Massachusetts-Grown Produce Availability Calendar

“12 Uses for Mint You Need to Try”, from Little House Living

Market Happenings:

BIG TENT - This week, Ben Couvee is back with music loved by all ages. Get out of the sun, grab a spot at a table and enjoy his smooth sounds.

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.

IN THE FIELDS - Watch for the Police cars, K9 and Firetrucks joining us this week, if they are not out on an emergencies.

MARKET MANAGERS TENT - Would you like to do something to help keep our market running? Ask questions and discover how you can volunteer. Come redeem your SNAP & SUN BUCKS benefits at this tent.

FOLLOW US - Share your pictures and follow all the fun going on at the Market. Find our Facebook Group here.

See you at the market!

FREE LEMONADE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, sponsored by The Stand “Shaken not Stirred.”

This invitation is open to Firefighters, Police, EMTs and Dispatchers in uniform or with badge / id, during the July 7th Market. Please stop by The Stand “Shaken not Stirred” for your complementary cup of freshly squeezed lemonade.

This Week’s BCFM Vendor Schedule

FARMS (5)

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.
Spring Brook Farms
Produce, Meat, eggs, honey, jams, maple syrup, granola, fruits, wraps, focaccia, cookies, salads, produce, focaccia
Wonky Willow Gardens
Fresh cut flower bouquets, paper wrapped and jar options.

FOOD TRUCKS (7)

Augusta’s Chicken on the Road
Bird's Nest Italian Street Food
Empanada Dada
Kona Ice of MA
Mr Jack’s Catering
What the Fork Catering
Uncle Joey's Cannoli

PREPARED FOODS (13)

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

ARTISANS (7)

Chiron Botanicals
The Warped Loom
BenAnna Split Customs
Blink Royalty LLC
MNC Designs
The Pink Beau
Parterre Garden

Explore All of Our 2025 Vendors on our website

This Week’s Vendor Spotlight

-> Spring Brook Farm Meet Kenneth Rutledge, the friendly face behind Spring Brook Farm’s stand at the Billerica Community Farmers Market. Kenneth has been with the farm for five years, and for the past three, he’s managed their farmers market presence—helping bring fresh, local goods directly to the community.

Spring Brook Farm, established in 1713, is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in Massachusetts. Still family-owned by descendants of the Matheson family, the farm has evolved from its dairy roots to a diverse operation that includes row crops, meat and egg production, a certified bakery, and even Christmas trees and ice cream.

What sets Spring Brook apart? Their commitment to sustainability and transparency. As a single-source, closed-loop farm, they grow all the grain that feeds their animals, keeping operations local and their carbon footprint low. Their meats—beef, pork, and occasionally chicken and lamb—are raised ethically and processed within 25 miles of the farm.

Kenneth loves the direct connection with customers, especially sharing unique produce like purple cauliflower and hearing how shoppers use their ingredients in home-cooked meals. “It’s always a great atmosphere with happy people and many families,” he says.

Kenneth wants to remind you that SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits can be used for almost any food item, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and bread. Many of which he stocks weekly for you!

Recipes of the Week - Farmers' Market Pappardelle

Rich egg noodles are combined with the best of the summer harvest in a dish that requires some chopping but very little cooking. Serve as a side dish with protein (chicken, shrimp, etc), on a bed of lettuce or by itself as a main course. Experiment with what you find at the market this week.

You’ll find this recipe light, flavorful and lovely!

Ingredients

3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons Sherry vinegar or white wine vinegar
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 1/2 pounds cherry tomatoes, halved (quartered if large)
3 ears corn, shucked
1 1/2 pounds medium zucchini
8 to 9 ounces dried egg pappardelle or dried egg fettuccine
1/4 pound sugar snap peas, string beans or edameme
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
1 cup small basil leaves, torn if large
1/2 cup mint leaves
1/3 cup snipped chives
Shavings of Parmesan made with vegetable peeler
Salt & pepper to taste

Bring a 6- to 8-quart pot of well-salted water to a boil.
Meanwhile, mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt, then stir together with vinegar, oil, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add tomatoes and stir gently, then set aside.
Cook corn in boiling water until tender, 4-6 minutes, then remove with tongs and cool.
While corn cools, peel lengthwise ribbons from 1 side of a zucchini with vegetable peeler into another bowl, stopping when you get to seedy core. Turn zucchini a quarter-turn, then peel more ribbons, stopping at core. Repeat on remaining 2 sides of zucchini (you will end up with rectangular-shaped cores). Reserve cores for another use (such as soup).
Cut corn from cobs; add corn to tomatoes.
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Just before pasta is done, stir in zucchini ribbons and snap peas and cook 15 seconds. Drain pasta and vegetables together in a large colander and add to tomato mixture with onion (if using), then toss gently.
Add herbs and toss gently again.

Source: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/farmers-market-pappardelle-51174410

This Week’s Entertainment

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

The music of Ben Couvee

Ben is a star at our Market with a voice that will take you back down memory lane.

You'll love his smooth sounds!

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.

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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