The Union Square Farmers Market wrapped its highly successful 2021 season last week in Union Square. ~Photo by Fernando Cervantes Jr.

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

Back in June, The Somerville Times covered a story on the beginning of the Union Square Farmers Market in Somerville. Last Saturday, was the last week of the season for the market.

Located in Union Square and running from May 15 to November 20, the market was advertised as a COVID-19 cautious market as it was held outdoors week in and week out.

Executive Director of Union Square Main Streets, Jessica Eshleman, expressed a great deal of gratitude to the Somerville community for this year’s market.

“I really have a huge appreciation to the community, to our vendors, the local businesses along Somerville Ave. This has been such a fantastic pilot season for us here,” Eshleman said.

Eshleman also spoke on this year’s sales, and their record-breaking figures in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our vendors are reporting some of the strongest sales that they have ever had as part of the Union Square Farmers Market,” Eshleman said.

Vendors in the market also expressed this same sentiment. Paul O’Connell from Mariposa Bakery also talked about this year’s season. “It was a great farmers market season,” O”Connell said, “It went really well, it was much busier than last year.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many shops and businesses had to close due to the lack of in person traffic. According to Eshleman, this year’s farmers market was buoyed by the pandemic.

“In terms of sales, I believe the pandemic encouraged more people to think about open-air shopping,” Eshleman said.

O’Connell also shared this same feeling, but was not as confident as Eshleman. “The market is accessible I think,” O’Connell said, “But I know of people that are still shy about going out.”

Although the Union Square Farmers Market has come to a close, the Somerville Winter Farmers Market will be opening at the Armory on Highland Ave. on December 4.