Belle Rita Novak—manager of the Farmer’s Market at the X and unstoppable all-around Forest Park activist—has been recognized for her work by Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, or CISA, which has named her one of its three “Local Heroes” for 2010.
In an article in its newly released farm products guide, CISA notes the impressive growth the X market has see under Novak’s care: When it opened in 1998, the market had just five vendors; today it has 22. This year, the popular market has moved from a parking lot at the X to Cyr Arena in Forest Park (shoppers don’t need to pay park admission to enter) and has added a monthly winter market.
The article highlights the special role farmers’ markets play in cities like Springfield: “Access to produce and other food fresh from the farm is especially important in an urban environment, where grocery shopping choices are often limited. Considered the largest urban market in western Massachusetts, the Farmers’ Market at the X attracts a diverse customer base, including many shoppers who pay with their electronic benefit cards.
‘Farmers’ markets have become so popular because the food is so fresh,’ says Novak. ‘People love the vendors and every single week someone thanks me for having the market—it’s so important to them.’”
The X market is open every Tuesday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. through Nov. 16.
Springfield also has several smaller farmers’ markets: the Springfield Cooperative Market on Avocado Street, open Saturdays from 7 to 11 a.m. through Oct. 30; a market at the Baystate Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center at 11 Wilbraham Rd., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 30; and a downtown market at Tower Square, Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 29.
