The Melrose Farmers’ Market is a non-profit organization and provides Melrose-area residents with the opportunity to buy and learn about nutritious, locally grown and produced foods. By promoting local farms, organizations and businesses we work to build community while contributing to a sustainable future.  Each week the market hosts vendors who provide fresh items that may include produce, meats, cheeses, and more!  There are children’s performances 3pm-4pm and there is live music (4pm-6pm) each week at the market!

If you are looking for time to go that’s less crowded/quieter, the Melrose Farmers Market staff recommend going between 1pm-3pm.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION-The park is handicap accessible. There are ramps that allow access to the sidewalk. The majority of the vendors are on the paved path, however, there are a few vendors that are on the lawn (which is cut pretty short). There is not a wheelchair accessible porta potty.

FREE to attend with items for purchase!

Find the Farmers Market at Bowden Park

At the junction of West Emerson and Vinton Streets – adjacent to the Cedar Park Commuter Rail stop.

Parking is located at: Park for free in the Commuter Rail lot along Cedar Park or in the Trinity Church parking lot. Limited street parking on Tremont and West Emerson.

SNAP:

Use your SNAP (and our match!) and HIP benefits to maximize your money at the Market

The Melrose Farmers Market doubles SNAP dollars (up to$10 per week)! It’s easy:

• Bring your EBT card to the Market Table to receive Market Bucks (script to be used to make purchases with our food vendors).

• Staff at the table will swipe your card and the amount purchased is deducted from your SNAP account.

• We will then double what was deducted, up to $10. In other words, if you purchase $10 with your SNAP/EBT card, we will give you $20 in Market Bucks to spend on SNAP eligible products. If you deduct less than $10, we will match that same amount. For example, if you swipe for $8, we will give you an additional $8.

• Market Bucks do not expire and can be used week to week.

• Market Match Money issued in 2024 expire on December 31, 2024

Health Incentives Program (HIP)

You can also purchase fruits and vegetables directly from our HIP authorized vendors using your EBT card. The amount of sale will be automatically (and instantly) reimbursed. It can be helpful to do this part first, before you use your SNAP benefit, to assure that there are still funds left on your card.

We have 3 HIP-authorized vendors: Oakdale Farms, Moonlight Farm and Dick’s Market Gardens.

Visit https://www.mass.gov/service-details/massachusetts-healthy-incentives-program-hip to learn about using SNAP benefits at farmers markets and the Healthy Incentives Program.