Mobile Market season to begin in July
The Hilltown Mobile Market is back for a fourth season, with a new business model that will increase efficiency and accessibility to customers throughout the Hilltowns. Fresh, Hilltown-grown products will now be listed online for customers to order in advance and pickup a few days later at a nearby retail business. The new platform means that produce will be freshly picked to order from partnering farms throughout the Hilltowns. It will also allow the market to sell locally produced meat, dairy and eggs which have been frequently requested by customers since the market began in 2019.
“This year we will be able to move more products and serve more Hilltowners than ever before,” says Market Coordinator Seva Water. “We have been surveying customers each year and this model offers so much more choice, flexibility, and convenience.”
The online market does not open until July, but customers can get in on the season early by purchasing a farm share, which will work as a spend down balance on the storefront. “Orders can be placed each week or as often as it works for the customer,” explains Monica Guzik, Market Manager. “If you can’t come one week, you won’t miss out.” The market is also planning to extend the season six weeks this year, through mid-November, with hopes of soon being able to operate the mobile market year-round.
Multiple farm share choices and payment plans keep the price affordable for Hilltown families, with a “Food Security” share option available for folks who may not qualify for SNAP (food stamps) or other food assistance programs. The $150 share comes with an extra $50 of store credit, for a total of $200 to spend at the market. For those who do receive SNAP, a special program through DTA allows customers to automatically direct $40 or $60 of their monthly HIP benefit to spend on the online store. Other options include the Hilltown Small at $200, Hilltown Large at $400, and a Helping Hand Share at $500, which includes a $100 donation that funds two additional Food Security Shares for Hilltown families. Donations to cover the costs of operation and shares for low-income families are also gratefully accepted.
In lieu of in-person farmers markets, which were difficult to keep stocked and required risky upfront purchasing by market staff, customers’ orders will instead be pre-packed and delivered to retail business to over a dozen locations throughout the Hilltowns including B&D Variety Store in Huntington, the Chesterfield General Store, the Old Creamery in Cummington, and Sena Brewery in Worthington. A full list of towns and delivery locations is available on the website at hilltownmobilemarket.info
“These new business partnerships are critical to the success of the mobile market. It’s a win-win for the brick-and-morter stores to bring in new customers and expand their offering to include more local products” says Guzik.
The Mobile Market also plans to make weekly stops at seven low-income and senior housing complexes to bring food directly to residents, many of whom are tenants of Hilltown CDC. These stops will also accept in-person payment for customers using SNAP, WIC and Senior Coupons. “We want to everyone to be able to enjoy what our neighborhood farms have to offer, regardless of income or other life factors,” says Water. “We are building a strong network of farms and people to revive a thriving local agricultural economy.
Several new Hilltown producers are planning to come on board to take advantage of the new platform. Core produce farms including Four Corners and Sawyer Farm in Worthington, Good Bunch Farm in Shelburne Falls, Hart Farm in Conway, Intervale Farm in Westhampton, and Crabapple Farm in Chesterfield will be joined this year by Pause Pivot Farm, a new hydroponic greenhouse in Williamsburg, Grace Hill Dairy in Cummington, Mayval Creamery in Westhampton, and Blue Heaven Blueberry Farm in Middlefield. Interested producers are encouraged to reach out to Seva Water to learn more about joining the online market platform this year.
“We have been fortunate to receive many grants over the last four years to launch this market, and now our challenge is to chart a path towards sustainability,” says Hunt Chase, Director of Community Programs at the Hilltown CDC. “People have really responded to this project and would love to see it grow to incorporate more farms and visit more towns. This year we are excited to do exactly that.”
To learn more about the Hilltown Mobile Market and signup for a farm share this year visit www.hilltownmobilemarket.info or contact Seva Water at (413) 296-4536 x116