Boston Public Market: it is a place where creativity and community flourish.
When I am in the Boston area, I always enjoy visiting, sometimes to meet up with friends, at other times to enjoy being there on my own, exploring in both new and familiar offerings from the three dozen or so food producers, artists, and craftspeople who call Boston Public Market home.
Health and safety considerations have meant changes for the market and the New England based small businesses who are part of it.
The indoor market had to close for a while and then return with limited operation. Now, with appropriate health measures in place, Boston Public Market is once again back to opening every day.
In this story, I offer you a bit of a look at the Boston Public Market during visits I’ve made in the past., as well as what is going on now.
Some of the vendors you see in the photographs may have changed or may be seasonal in their participation at the market. Many are long term participants you will find each time you visit, though.
I will also let you know a bit about ways to support and enjoy the market and its vendors if it is not the right time for an in person visit at at present, or if you are outwith Boston.
Boston Public Market is an indoor market where close to three dozen businesses, whose products range from fresh made pasta to smoked fish, from popovers to doughnuts, from fresh veg and fruit to allergen free cakes to jewelry to wooden bowls, to beer and wine, to yarn to honey to bagels to shakshuka to ice cream…well, you get the idea — cooperate to market their offerings.
There is a lot going on, and with it all that sense of community and welcome.
All the food producers and craftspeople are based in New England, most from the Boston area or nearby.
In so far as seasonality permits, ingredients are locally and regionally sourced, as well. Many ingredients and processes are organic, and many are sustainably sourced and many are created with sustainable practices.
Boston Public Market is easy to find. It is located right above the Haymarket Station of Boston’s public transit system, the MBTA. Several city bus lines stop nearby. it is a short walk from Faneuil Hall and other downtown Boston sites, as well.
A look down one of the aisle spaces
A tasty popover from The Popover Lady. Both sweet and savoury popovers are on offer.
There are several vendors who sell fresh produce at the Boston Public Market.
Red Apple Farm, which has been tended by four generations of the Rose family in Phillipston, Massachusetts, has a stand with fresh apples as well as all manner of tasty apple items such as jams and pastries, not to mention accessories including apple themed ball caps and aprons.
Hand crafted mead is often available
Supporting New England fisher folk by selling fresh and prepared fish
The food is great, and varied, at Boston Public Market. It is food centered operation. There is more than food on offer. though. New England based craftspeople are present as well.
About that food though: it comes with a sense of humor at times
and with recipes…
What can you do from a distance if you are outside the Boston are, or if it is not the right time for you to visit in person?
Boston Public Market has partnered with What’s Good, a New England based delivery service to support its vendors in making next day delivery possible. Find details by following the link to What’s Good’s name.
Boston Public Market offers market wide gift certificates, which you may purchase through the website.
The Boston Public Market is itself a charitable organization and would welcome your gifts of support.
There is a seasonal market at Dewey Square on the Greenway, which runs from June through November. On the outdoor plaza by the Boston Public Market building, you may find Christmas trees and other seasonal items popping up on occasion too. The Market’s social media channels and its happenings page (which also includes information about indoor special events) are the best ways to find out about these.
The individual vendors are the heart of the Boston Public Market.
At its web site the market offers backstories on its vendors, their products, and their creativity. They also offer you the chance to find contact information for vendors and links their websites, so you may find out, among other things, details about how they are handling things at present. This is also a good place to find out how to connect with market artisans who are not food producers or otherwise are not participating in the food delivery listing.
What has lasted at Boston Public Market through changes in circumstances is the sense of community, the respect for creativity, the commitment to service, and the warm welcome. These are hallmarks of Boston Public Market and its vendors.
Photographs by Kerry Dexter. Thank you for respecting copyright.
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