Copley Square Farmers Market
Categories: Farmers Market, Fruits & Veggies [Edit]
Neighborhood: Back Bay170 St James Avenue
Copley Square
Boston, MA 02116
- Nearest Transit:
Arlington (Green)
Back Bay (Orange)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
22 Reviews for Copley Square Farmers Market
the market is fantastic. A good mix of vendor carrying a wide variety of things. Prices seemed reasonable and everyone was extremely friendly,
You have been living under a rock if you work or live near Back Bay and aren't aware of this Farmer's Market ! (open from Tuesdays and Fridays May 20- Nov 25)
Buy your fresh veggies, local meats, artisan breads, jams, delicious sandwiches, and fruits of all kinds here.
So much better than the produce aisle at the supermarket
Many of the veggies and fruits have been picked within 24 hours-- in addition this produce hasn't traveled thousands of miles. A good idea in so many ways.
If you haven't bought anything at the market give it a try!
You will quickly discover that fresh local produce is for you too.
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my recommendations for the copley market:
-siena farms (last stand closest to the church on the boylston side). i have always been very happy with this stand's produce. the prices are decent and the people who work there are very nice. there's a good variety. also has spices and treats from oleana. the somerville mozzarella cheese lady is there on fridays.
-old friends farm - the flower stand (also on the boylston side). LOVE this place!! pick up 10 zinnias for $4 and brighten your apartment up!
-stillman farm (dartmouth side) - a pretty good variety, and they have meat (usually pork). their heirloom tomatoes are slightly pricey, but it is what it is. i was excited to buy okra there last week!
-herb lyceum (corner of dartmouth and st. james) - do yourself a favor and grab a cup of their cranberry lavender lemonade - YUM. this year they have sandwiches too ($7).
-the stand right next to the herb lyceum w/fruit (i forget the name) - AVOID. their fruit is INSANELY overpriced. and not even good quality: in june i bought a $5 TINY container of native strawberries and half of the berries were rotten when i checked them out at home. you'd be better off at whole foods, believe it or not!
-macarthur farm: also avoid! not because of their produce (which is OK), but because of the mean older lady who works there. she is soooooo mean i avoid this stand so i can avoid any interaction with her. seriously.
-atlas farm: this stand is always one of the most crowded because it's at the end closest to the church on st. james. so i tend to avoid it, but its produce is OK.
-equal exchange stand: on tuesdays only, you can get a pound of coffee for only $7! on the st. james side.
basically, if you shop smart you can get some sweet deals.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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09/29/2007
since moving to the south end, i've tried to hit this farmer's market up most fridays. i really like… Read more »
Cute market in the middle of town. Prices are high
How fantastic is it that there's an actual farmer's market right in the middle of the city, in Copley Square? The people seem nice, it's not horribly crowded, and while it isn't the biggest selection one might find at a farmer's market, what they do have is quality, fresh, tempting stuff. People all seem really nice, and I like that there aren't too many screaming babies around.
The organic goodies, fresh tomatoes and delicious baked goods are my favourite, but overall this is worth checking out if you're looking for fresh, local produce in the city without actually going to a supermarket. Enjoy it while you can, before the winter comes and blizzards everything into oblivion. Or something like that.
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I haven't purchased too many things here. My kitchen isn't full of organic tomatoes, and Goat cheese kind of grosses me out, but the Cook's Orchard stand (the one with the pies, cakes, etc.) has cookies that are the size of my FUCKING FACE. They are always huge, and they are only $2 (they were $1.50 last year, but there was a drought at the cookie farm in Brimfield, MA ... I guess?).
I'll probably start crying the week after Thanksgiving, because that's when they close down. :'(
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I went here today in the pouring rain, and I give the vendors who were there props for coming out and staying out in the weather. Everyone I encountered was friendly and laughed at the situation of us all getting drenched and shopping for veggies. I ended up getting two different types of peaches, some apples, squash, eggplant, and bell peppers all for under $10. I would say that's a damn fine bargain.
Everything I picked up was really nice, but a word of advice: do a walk through before you buy from the first farm stand; prices can vary a lot from stand to stand and so can the readiness to eat of the fruit.
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I work right across the street and have been perusing the market when I can on a fairly regular basis for a few years now. I am glad they expanded to both sides of the park.
What I like - lots of choice, quality produce, flowers, potted pants, good pastries and now they have things like coffee and Iggy's bread. I got a sandwich here for lunch today and it was quite good. $6, large, but obviously made that morning. but still good. everything i have bought here, i have enjoyed.
What I don't like - sometimes the prices can be high. $4 for a half pint of blackberries? please!
I am a Russo's junkie, since I live so close, so I usually get all my produce there. the Copley Farmer's Market is a good place to get midweek fruit, bakery bread to which i usually don't have access or baked goods that i shouldn't be eating in the first place:)
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Three words: Apple Cider Doughnuts!
If you're not from the Northeast, you haven't lived until you had these! I first tasted them when I was living in Ithaca, NY and been longing them since I returned to the area. The vendor that was selling them was The Apple Barn from New Salem, MA (I have them in front of me now and they are calling me to eat them!) They also sell apple ciders as well (equally delicious)!
In addition, I bought some corn ($0.50 each) and green beans ($2.00/lb). I also saw a good selection of tomatoes, raspberries, apples, and greens. It's not very big and doesn't have prepared food stands, but it is a wonderful treat in the middle of the city. Plus, WHY are you giving your money to evil empire Whole Foods instead of directly to local farmers?
Copley Farmer's Market is open on Tues and Fridays and you can check out hours and other locations on this website:http://www.massfarmers...
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Being an ex-Floridian, this farmers market does not even satisfy my basic requirements... theres nothing like an outdoor market with 1000 vendors on a 10 acre land... anything from flowers to luggages to pirate DVDs to exotic fruits to homemade bread and honey to keychains to cell phone chargers to sea-salt scrubs to.... the list goes on and on.
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Great place to get fresh food in the middle of the city. I first discovered the Copley Farmers Market when I had some visitors in town. They absolutely loved it since they grew up in upper state NY and you aren't able to find fresh Macintosh apples in Texas. Not only does this market have fresh goods but also baked goods, jellies, jams, and flowers. It's certainly a great way to eat local and help support local businesses. I do suggest browsing before you by since the prices and freshness does vary from stand to stand.
I love the farmer's market! For someone like me who loves to cook, it's fantastic. I disagree with the posts that it's over priced.... considering that the produce in most of the supermarkets around town is nasty. I'm far from "Mr. Organic", but there is a definite difference in taste. If I'm making my precious generations-old red sauce, fresh tomatoes from the farmer's market makes it that much better, there's no comparison. Even the fresh picked lettuce tastes way better than store bought. Don't even get me going about the fresh corn on the cob.....Lord have mercy! I love the baked goods stands as well. If I didn't live in the city, I'd have a garden. This, to me is the next best thing.
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The Farmer's Market at Copley runs on Tuesday & Friday; City Hall's is on Monday and Wednesday. I've been going to both for years. Most of the same growers used to be at both locations; now it seems like they pick one and stick with it. Copley's is bigger, with more growers and bakers, but the one at City Hall has more crafty/ clothing/local designers.
Iggy's is excellent, and the goat cheese from Sterling Farms is fantastic (try the Australian Ginger). When I gardened, I bought most of my flowers and herbs as seedlings from the Herb Lyceum (3 for $5). While it's nice to support local growers, sometimes it's just so expensive. I love the organic growers, and the smell of fresh earth and herbs is a restorative during lunch or after work.
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Lots of variety and super convenient location! I can swing by the library and pick up fruits, vegis and breads at the same time. The prices are totally reasonable and most of the vendors were really friendly. There's a vendor with homemade jam there, too (Mmmmm! It's $5 and she doesn't like you to pick them all up, even though I put them right back where they were and they weren't nearly as organized as she claimed they were or I wouldn't have picked them up in the first place, but you gotta deal with things if you want homemade jam). This is great: local growers, organics, don't need vehicular transport to get there, just right!
P.S. Where do I get some farm fresh eggs? I just want to find someone who has a couple chickens that are treated really nice and some extra eggs.
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Having lived in Southern California I consider myself somewhat of an aficionado on the farmer's market. I used to go to the one in Santa Monica where they close down entire streets and boulevards for the event (yes, that is the one where that geriatric ran over a bunch of people).
Anyways, I love this little bi-weekly farmers market and am constantly surprised at the high quality produce that is locally grown. A big plus is that the vendors are pretty good about restocking, so if you go at the end of the day, you aren't left with the bruised tomatoes. This market also seems pretty highly regulated and the quality/prices (which are inverse) seems to be similar with each vendor.
However, I do find a few things frustrating about this place. For some reason, the market is unevenly divided on both sides of Copley square. One side is densely crowded with vendors and foot traffic and the other is practically empty. Another thing that contributes to this congestion is the huge tour buses that seem to always stop here. I mean, it is a fun place to stop for tourists and they should continue to come here, but it just adds to the general congestion. Besides I'm here for serious shopping- not taking pictures of heirloom tomatoes with my pricey camera.
Aside from the produce, I haven't been compelled to buy anything from the other vendors- all of which seem to be hawking some sort of pastry. Kind of strange having healthy vegetables next to cookies the size of frisbees.
Can't go wrong with this one! The farmers take a lot of pride in their crops and are typically friendly. oh and bring cash- these vendors don't care if you have a gold card.
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[I edited my original review after the title was changed to read 'Copley Square' instead of just 'Boston' and it became possible to write a review for that specific location. Unfortunately, there are still two distinct addresses listed and the yelp arrow still points at City Hall plaza, not Copley Square - can an admin please resolve this mishigas?]
I don't personally get to this market all that often, but my wife works near Copley, and often will pick up a few things before heading home. It's not huge - there are several farms selling fresh produce (including a couple that follow organic or IPM practices). Also, there are usually fresh cut flowers, potted herbs, and artisanal breads and cheeses. The quality of everything is quite good, generally higher than that of some of the other Boston-area farmers markets - but the prices reflect this.
So it's a lovely place to grab the makings of an al fresco lunch, or pick up inspiration for the evening's meal, or grab some fruit or carrots to enjoy over the weekend. However, given its small size and Back Bay pricing, I doubt anyone who cooks more than a couple meals a week could do the lion's share of their produce shopping here. Haymarket is still the only open air market in the city with that kind of depth (although the market getting started down by South Station is intended to become that sort of venue).
But you know what? I don't think that the Copley Farmers Market is pretending to be Haymarket ala Back Bay - it's just what it is - a lovely oasis in the middle of the city, and maybe a bit of a foothold to encourage frantic Bostonians to slow down and enjoy something fresh and local. So in that sense, it's a success.
********
By the way, there are over a dozen farmers markets in the city proper, and probably twice that many in the metro area. Here's a site from the "Federation of Mass Farmers Markets" for anyone trying to find a farmers market in the Commonwealth:
http://www.massfarmers...
And here's the specific page that shows the markets in the Boston area (both those affiliated with the FMFM and independents - very conscientious work by the FMFM - huzzah!):
http://www.massfarmers...
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ok, i admit that i have a softspot for farmer's markets much like michael jackson likes his jesus juice. and this is def. one of my favorites to go to since i can get pretty much anything i want here.
big big big fan of the lady who sells goatcheese. yum. try the one with australian ginger. worth the $5+
great selection of veggies and baked goods. there is one guy who has great sausage that melts in your mouth when cooked. (get your mind out of the gutter). i wish there were more people selling meat or eggs, but i think he's the only one.
the heirloom tomato selection is also superb.
i disagree that it's overpriced. i bought $40 worth of sausage, veggies, and bread, and it's lasted me for 2 weeks! i'd pay double that at whole foods- and it's all local and organic!
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I've never really gotten much here. They have an Iggy's bread stand here which has delicious breads and pastries, but it's pricey. They do have a lot of produce, but to me it is not worth paying extra for the organically grown stuff, so I usually don't get anything here. However, it is fun to look around and be outside. If you need some fresh herbs they have a fantastic selection, but again, that's not something I really buy. If you're into organic and don't mind paying extra for it I am sure you'd love it here.
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If I were cooking a meal for a special occasion, I would totally hit up the farmer's market for some A+ produce. The veggies are fresh and yummy, but you've got to pay for that extra goodness.
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If you want the absolute freshest produce produce there are two places you can go to get it. A farm out western massachussetts, or to the farmers market in downtown boston. The farmers market happens on the weekends and every Saturday right in front of Trinity Church and the Hancock building. Farmers bring in only their freshest produce from all over the state and you can get the absolute best at great prices. They've got fruit, bread, and apple pies. Delicous! You can also visit the farmers market in front of town hall on some weekdays.
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This market isn't all vegetables. You can find great pies, cookies, herbs, and flowers. Most of the booths are organic and all are relatively locally grown.
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I have worked at a stand in the market for the past 3 summers and i just wanted to say that there are ONLY 10 reviews about the market that houses thousands who live there. There is something wrong with that. I have lived in the boston area for the past 4 years and I think there is little appreciation for the market as a whole. I have seen the people who bring their produce in, working long hours, risking those who care little about the people, and people actually try to steal the belongings of the people who work there (true story it is currently happening now). The market I work for brings a lot of fresh (and I mean picked that morning by one of the employees), fresh produce, and at an even price. The grocery store I shop at sells lettuce for at least 2 dollars a head, and we sell it at 2.50 for two. 3 green peppers for a buck. Corn that actually has taste, 7 ears for 3 bucks. I don't say this because I work there, but I have a relationship with the people who shop there. If there is something wrong with our price we do our best to change things to make it fair. Sure, we don't have the prices that Haymarket has, but they don't have the fresh produce we have either. The people I know that shop there are die-hards, as they should be. I honestly think the copley farmers market is one of the greatest things for the area. Sure college kids don't buy finger ling potatoes, but copley is not a college area. So for people who are looking for great produce like fresh tomatoes and corn, 4 different kinds of eggplant, 3 different kinds of cabbage, and 8 different kinds of apples then the Copley's Farmer's Market is the place to be. Tuesday's and Friday's from 11am - 6pm. Thanks for reading that
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