HOPE & MAIN???S SUMMER FARMERS MARKET RETURNS ON FATHER???S DAY
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Serving up Summer Fun with Burritos, BBQ and Beer at Schoolyard Market
WARREN, RI — Sunday Funday returns to the East Bay this Father???s Day thanks to the opening of Hope & Main???s weekly farmers-makers market. The Warren-based food incubator???s ???Schoolyard Market??? is engaging visitors as a part of their nonprofit mission, helping locally-based food and beverage businesses start up, scale and thrive. Dozens of local businesses are on board as vendors and partners this season, generously sponsored by Blount Fine Foods. Says President Todd Blount, a founding Board member at Hope & Main, ?????As a mature and successful food company with roots in Warren, RI, we have a responsibility to mentor local food start-ups and support their growth. This creates a more vibrant, sustainable food economy for our state and the region.???
The Hope & Main facility is nestled in a quaint, historic New England seaside town which is quickly becoming known for its vibrant arts community, growing number of shops and most notably, eateries.. While a popular food destination, too many residents of Warren and throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts face food insecurity. In order to make Schoolyard Market more accessible to our food insecure neighbors, Hope & Main has joined forces with fellow nonprofit Farm Fresh Rhode Island to facilitate the ???Fresh Bucks??? program, allowing Food Stamp (EBT) recipients an incredible dollar for dollar ???Bonus Bucks??? match, which makes healthy, fresh food much more affordable. Most Schoolyard Market farmers accept WIC and Senior Citizen coupons, too.
Market-goers will be delighted to find a stellar cast of vendors selling the newest and freshest offerings from New England-based farms, food and beverage producers, bakers, food trucks , and more. Lots of customer favorites are returning the the Schoolyard for another season, but many new companies are in the mix. This fall, Blount Fine Foods will also take part in vending, alongside our startups, using the marketplace to test recipes and packaging for new locally-inspired products and concepts. ??
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Unlike traditional farmers markets, Schoolyard Market is aims to provide an interactive experience, designed to engage shoppers in more than just making purchases. Market-goers can take part in a variety of activities ??all season long. Have a say in product development and taste testing, be first to learn about new products and new business launches. Get sage growing advice from Master Gardener Valerie Harvey, also wellness and nutrition lessons from Registered Dietitian, Amanda Rigby, of Heal Thy Self Nutrition and cooking demonstrations from a variety of local chefs. Kids will be right at home this season, too, as Made By Me Cooking School???s Heather Dupee will host monthly activities, including a ???Chopped Junior???-like competition and Kids Food Business Camp and bake sale. To boot, Hope & Main has invited local musicians and performers to fill the marketplace with lovely sights and sounds all summer long. Local nonprofit Greening the Sphere will also host free hands-on craft and learning workshops for kids of all ages.
Opening Day at Schoolyard Market is a celebration of the season, and patrons will find an extra-special selection of concessions and activities to suit.?? Market-favorite Palm???s Catering, Sauces and Better Dressings is serving up their signature BBQ and a bar, Paco???s Tacos is rolling in with MexiCali-style eats, empanadas of all kinds from company Matilda, and for $10 each, The Peyton Co is inviting kids to make their own ???Man Hands Scrub??? for Dad, complete with custom gift label.
Says Hope & Main Founder, Lisa Raiola, ???This market unlike any other local food experience, because the customers at Schoolyard become part of the product development process for Hope & Main entrepreneurs.?? We ask for consumer feedback that we give to our makers to help them to perfect their recipes, packaging and branding throughout the market season. In this way, the entire community can participate in building what we call the local foodieconomy.???
Schoolyard Market happens every Sunday, 10 am-2 pm June 17-October 28 at Hope & Main, 691 Main Street, Warren, RI ??02885.
Free and open to the public. Well-behaved, leashed pets welcome. Rain or shine. Public parking. More information is available at