WHY CHOOSE LOCAL FOOD?
Growing numbers of consumers look to shorter food chains
as a way to strengthen rural and regional economies,
reduce “food miles” from source to plate, eat fresher food,
become more knowledgeable about what we’re eating, and
support local farmers and open space conservation efforts.
You can find locally-produced food in many area stores,
supermarkets, and restaurants, and there are more
products and sellers appearing all the time. We’ve listed
those we’re aware of, with a focus on small, locally- or
cooperatively-owned, or independent businesses and
projects plus organizations and retailers that support them.
Because of space considerations, there were other venues
we didn’t include, and we urge you to find and patronize
them as well. It’s all good!
This brochure is produced by NORTH QUABBIN ENERGY, an informal group concerned about
issues relating to energy use. Publication is
supported in part by grants from the cultural councils
of Athol, New Salem, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston,
Royalston, and Warwick, local agencies which are
supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a
state agency. It is also funded in part by Mass Humanities, which
receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is an
affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Information is based on our current knowledge, and is intended to
help people find locally-produced foods. To be included in future
guides, email [email protected].
Looking back at local food
Pre-17th century
Before Europeans settled in the area, indigenous groups
hunted and gathered food as well as growing some crops,
especially along the fertile river flood plains.
18th century
Settled later than the rich farm land in the
Connecticut Valley, the area that is now
north-central Massachusetts was a
patchwork of different soils and terrains.
European settlers and their descendants
created versatile small farms with a mix of tilled fields,
hayfields, pastures, and woodlots.
Early 19th century
With the “market revolution,” small-scale producers began
a long process of adaptation and struggle—which continues
into the present—to remain competitive within longer food
chains. Dairying, haying, and selling specialty foods like maple syrup have long been strategies that area farmers have used to keep their farms going.
Later 19 century
th
Mill towns like Athol and
Orange expanded with the
growth of industries, creating
new markets for nearby farmers.
Turn of the 20th century
Economic crises prompted the first “back to the land”
movement while nostalgia for rural places led to what is
now called “agritourism.” Farm acreage in New England
continued to shrink, but more intensive methods actually
increased farm production through the 19th century, peaking
in 1910.
1930s
During the Depression, many people returned
to growing some of their own food. Many small
farms faltered, but some new farmers, including
immigrants, were able to buy land at low prices.
At the same time, wealthy “gentleman farmers”
like the Cass family in Athol showcased up-to-date methods.
Post World War II
Petroleum-fueled expansion enabled highways, long-distance
refrigerated trucking, and the growth of supermarkets,
leading to the sharpest decline yet in New England farming.
1960s-70s
Another “back to the land” movement brought many new
homesteaders to the area.
Turn of the 21st century
Enthusiasm for local food spurred growth of farmers markets
and direct marketing, as many producers, consumers, and
planners worked to shorten long-distance food chains.
For a more detailed timeline of local food and farm history,
visit the “Farm Values” project at farmvalues.net.
HARDWICK COMMUNITY FAIR
Aug. 21-22, 2015, Hardwick Town Common
NORTH QUABBIN GARLIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
Sept. 26-27, 2015, 60 Chestnut Hill Rd, Orange
garlicandarts.org
OLD 78 FESTIVAL
Oct. 3, 2015, 823 Orange Rd, Warwick
old78farm.com
CIDER DAYS (all around Franklin County)
Nov. 7-8, 2015 www.ciderdays.org
RED APPLE FARM ANNUAL
THANKSGIVING HARVEST FESTIVAL
Nov. 21-22, 2015 455 Highland Ave, Phillipston
redapplefarm.com
FARMERS MARKETS
Who sells where? Look for letter symbols on the listings inside.
ATHOL Sat 9 am-1 pm May-Oct
1551 Main St (Uptown Common)
BARRE Sat 9 am-12:30 pm May-Oct
Congregational Church lawn (2015 only)
barrefarmersmarket.org
HARDWICK Sun 11 am-2 pm June-Oct
Hardwick Common
hardwickfarmersmarket.com
ORANGE Mon & Thurs 3-6 pm May-Oct
Butterfield Pk, East River St
PETERSHAM Fri 3-6 pm June-Oct
petershamcommon.com
fridaymarket.htm
PHILLIPSTON Sat am June-Oct
Town Common or 50 State Rd. (Rt 2A)
WENDELL Sat 10 am-1 pm
Town Common near the bandstand
RESOURCES
Agricultural Commissions
Most area towns have Agricultural Commissions. See town-bytown listings inside for contact information.
Community Gardens
ATHOL COMMUNITY GARDEN – Behind 123 S Main St 978-9393475
NEW SALEM COMMUNITY GARDEN - South St 413-219-4458
NORTH QUABBIN COMMUNITY GARDEN – Holtshire Rd, Orange
978-248-2043 x28
PETERSHAM COMMUNITY GARDEN – Behind Nichewaug Inn
[email protected]
WENDELL COMMUNITY GARDEN – 9 Morse Village Rd
978-544-2306
Education
Food producers,
markets and resources
in north-central
Massachusetts
Seed Libraries *
PAIGE LIBRARY – 87 Petersham Rd, Hardwick 978-477-6704
PETERSHAM MEMORIAL LIBRARY – Town Common 978-724-3405
WENDELL FREE LIBRARY – 7 Wendell Depot Rd 978-544-3559
* Seed libraries “lend” seeds to patrons who later return seeds
from the plants they grow.
Land Trusts
EAST QUABBIN LAND TRUST – Conserving farmlands, woodlands,
and waters in the Barre/Petersham/New Braintree area
120 Ridge Rd, Hardwick 413-477-8229 eqlt.org
MOUNT GRACE LAND CONSERVATION TRUST – A regional land
trust serving 23 towns in Worcester and Franklin counties.
Active in farmland protection – 1461 Old Keene Rd, Athol
978-248-2043 mountgrace.org
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THE FARM SCHOOL – New farmer training – 488 Moore Hill Rd,
Athol 978-249-9944 farmschool.org/learn
MANY HANDS SUSTAINABILITY CENTER
Promotes methods of sustainable and mindful
living through workshops and educational
activities – 411 Sheldon Rd, Barre 978-355-2853
manyhandssustainabilitycenter.org
SEEDS OF SOLIDARITY EDUCATION CENTER
Workshops, programs for youth, resources,
events that foster health, justice and food
and energy resiliency - 165 Chestnut Hill Rd,
Orange 978-544-9023 seedsofsolidarity.org
Goods + Services
CALEDONIA FARM – Farm machinery services,
biodiesel – 167 Grogan Rd, Barre 978-355-4519
[email protected] caledoniafarm.com
CLEARVIEW COMPOSTING – Composting services,
compost, loam and mulch sales, composting
equipment and consulting – 159 Quabbin Blvd,
Orange 978-544-5872 [email protected]
HARDWICK FARMERS COOPERATIVE EXCHANGE – Supplies for
farming, livestock, gardening – 444 Lower Rd, Gilbertville
413-477-6913 hardwickfarmers.net
THE LITTLE CHICKEN FACTORY – “Chicken tractors” for safe
mobile day-ranging – 21 Common St, Petersham
978-724-6662 thelittlechickenfactory.com
QUABBIN HARVEST – A community coop market working
to provide healthy food at an affordable price while building
community, supporting local agriculture and respecting the
natural environment – 12 N Main St, Orange 978-544-6784
QuabbinHarvest.coop
IMAGE CREDITS
2015-2016
Historical postcards at left from the collection of Wheeler Memorial Library, Orange.
Cover images, top to bottom, Pamela Carls (Swiss chard), Massachusetts Office of Travel
and Tourism (eggs, apples), Cathy Stanton (signs)
NORTH QUABBIN
The North Quabbin
region of north-central
Massachusetts spans
two counties (Franklin
and Worcester) and
includes the nine
towns of Athol, Erving,
New Salem, Orange,
Petersham, Phillipston,
Royalston, Warwick,
and Wendell. In this
year’s brochure, two
neighboring towns,
Barre and Hardwick,
are also included.
Watch for the
“Farm Values”
project from Mount Grace
Land Conservation Trust in summer and fall
2015, focusing on this 9 + 2 town region.
Fotohde
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Support + Advocacy
ASK A GARDENER – Free advice and mentoring for people new to
gardening or to the area – Aimee Hanson 978-434-1560
CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture) Strengthens farms and engages the community to build the local
food economy buylocalfood.org
CENTRAL MASS GROWN – Highlights farms in central Mass.
centralmassgrown.org
GREATER QUABBIN FOOD ALLIANCE – Collaborates to foster
cross-sector dialogue, information-sharing, and new partnerships
978-248-2043 quabbinfoodalliance.wordpress.com
MASSACHUSETTS GROWN AND FRESHER – Produces one-stop
guide to Massachusetts food products and activities
mass.gov/agr/massgrown
NOFA/MASS (Northeast Organic Farming Association) – Supports
and promotes organic agriculture in Massachusetts – 411 Sheldon
Rd, Barre 978-355-2853 nofamass.org
PETERSHAM GRANGE #95 – Sponsors agricultural and educational
events and activities – [email protected]
TOWN-BY-TOWN LISTINGS
Warwick
R2F
AgCom (Ted Cady 978-544- 6410)
Royalston
R2F
AgCom (Randy Divoll 978-602-5583)
CHASE HILL FARM
74 Chase Hill Rd 978-544-6327
Organic raw milk, beef, veal, pork, farmstead cheese
QH
AURORA RANCH
46 Taft Hill Rd 978-249-4407
Lamb, beef, chicken, Romney breeding stock,
fleece, and sheepskins, naturally-colored yarn, bordercollies
FRED SWEDBERG HEIRLOOM TOMATOES
120 Moss Brook Rd 978-544-8072
170 varieties of heirloom tomato plants
Drop in midday (11-2) or in eve May 15-June 15; get free
transplants for helping with transplanting on Cinco de Mayo
NEALE FARM
1 Neale Pl 978-249-6872 Corn, fruits, vegetables, pumpkins
Call or drop in
HETTIE BELLE FARM
28 Winchester Rd 978-544-6241 hettiebellefarm.com
Meat CSA selling beef, poultry, lamb, pork
OLD 78 FARM
823 Orange Rd 978-544-1845
Eggs, pickled goods, hand-made clothing
RICHFIELDS ORGANICS
45 Mt Grace Ave 978-544-3164 richfieldsorganics.com
Greens, tomatoes, squash, peppers, and herbs
QH
WHITE BUFFALO HERBS
433 Richmond Rd 978-544-2203 whitebuffaloherbs.com
Organic, handmade herbals for cooking and health,
aromatherapy products, and plants
Call or order online
QH
Erving
DAN’S VEGGIES AND POPLAR MOUNTAIN MAPLE
151 Northfield St 413-423-3242 Vegetable starts, maple syrup,
vegetables, camp wood
Farmstand open daily May-Nov
PROSPECT HILL FARM
25 Prospect Hill Rd 978-249-4260
Beef, eggs,herbs, perennials, bouquets, mushrooms (seasonally),
wheat weaving - Call ahead
Phillipston
R2F
AgCom (Ruth French 413-559-7627)
MR. ED’S FARM
215 Ward Hill Rd 978-249-3029
Organic vegetables, raspberries, blueberries
Farmstand in season
RED APPLE FARM
455 Highland Ave 978-249-6763 redapplefarm.com
Pick-your-own apples, peaches, berries, pumpkins, also pies,
dumplings, cider donuts, fudge, ice cream
3-season farmstand; see website for hours
RICHARDSON FARM
225 Narrow Lane 978-939-5579
Live spring lamb, organic hay,
maple syrup
R2F
DIEMAND FARM
126 Mormon Hollow Rd 978-544-3806 thediemandfarm.com
Chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, prepared foods, baked goods,
catering, hay, compost, started pullets, wood products
Retail store Mon-Sat 7 am-5 pm + Sun in summer
ROSE 32
412 Main Street (Rte. 32), Gilbertville 413-477-9930
rose32bread.com
Small-batch artisanal breads, some made using local wheat
Breakfast and lunch, Wed-Sun
QH
ROSY BUCK FARM
314-740-0960 rosybuckfarm.com
Vegetables; personalized CSA shares
RUGGLES HILL CREAMERY
670 Ridge Rd 978-287-5005 ruggleshill.com
Goat cheeses, goat breeding stock
138 MAIN STREET FARM
138 Main St (North Orange) 978-574-0006 [email protected]
Eggs (year-round), goat and rabbit meat, squash
Year-round farmstand; call or email ahead for meat
MOORE’S MAPLE GROVE FARM and FARMHOUSE BAKERY
Farm: 220 Cross Rd 978-544-5363
Bakery: 131 West Main St Unit 29B (Orange Innovation Center)
978-544-6544
Hay, produce, baked goods, eggs, grass-fed beef, maple syrup,
cut flowers QH
THE FARM SCHOOL
488 Moore Hill Road 978-249-9944 farmschool.org
Vegetables June-Oct, Winter meat CSA
NEW SALEM PRESERVES and ORCHARDS
67 S Main St 978-544-3437 newsalempreserves.com
Low-spray heirloom apples, cider, cider doughuts, solar-cooked
preserves, apple butter, cider jelly, cider syrup, apple cider vinegar
Mid-Sept through Thanksgiving Eve
STILLMAN QUALITY MEATS
3674 Greenwich Rd 413-477-0345 stillmanqualitymeats.com
Pastured pork , grass-fed beef, grass-fed lamb, pastured poultry,
eggs, meat CSA
Pick-ups at farm year-round
KIWI MEADOWS FARM
63 Warwick Rd 978-544-3266
Vegetables, corn, berries, apples
BAREFOOT ALL NATURAL FARM
978-257-3563 barefootallnaturalfarm.com
Eggs, sprouts, plants, herbs, dog treats, goat’s milk soap
Call ahead or buy on Etsy QH
AgCom (Carol Hillman 978-544-3437)
ROBINSON FARM
42 Jackson Rd 413-477-6988 robinsonfarm.org
Organic farmstead cheese from 100% grass-fed cows, raw milk,
grass fed beef, rose veal, eggs, seasonal vegetables
Farmstand daily 7 am-7 pm
JOHNSON’S RESTAURANT and SUGAR HOUSE
210 Wheeler Ave 978-544-7835 johnsonfarm.net
Maple syrup
ADAMS FARM
775 Bearsden Rd 978-249-9441 adamsfarm.biz
Meat, sausage, custom slaughtering
Mon-Wed & Sat 8-5, Thurs-Fri 8-6, Sun 10-2
HAMILTON ORCHARDS
25 West St 978-544-6867 PYO blueberries in summer
HARDWICK VINEYARD and WINERY
3305 Greenwich Rd 413-967-7763 hardwickwinery.com
Wine from local grapes and other fruit, tastings, events
Fri-Sun and holiday Mons 11-6
THE LITTLE WHITE GOAT DAIRY
309 Gidney Rd 978-790-1240 littlewhitegoatdairy.com
Raw goat milk, yogurt, kefir, chèvre and other fresh cheeses, meat
Farmstand open daily 8-6, tours available 11-3
(call before first visit) QH
AgCom (Nora Weaver 978-830-4200)
R2F
HARDWICK SUGAR SHACK
572 Jackson Rd 413-477-0932 hardwicksugarshack.com
74 Chase Hill Rd 978-544-6327
Maple syrup and other maple products
HONEST WEIGHT ARTISAN BEER
131 West Main St Unit 104 (Orange Innovation Center)
413-537-6659 honestweightbeer.com
Rustic ales and lagers
Wed-Fri 4-8 for for tastings and growlers, Sat 12-8 for tastings,
growlers, and tours (starting late summer 2015)
R2F
New Salem
AgCom (Salvatore Morelli 508-365-8032)
FOOTHILL FARM
40 Chestnut Hill Rd 413-335-2753
Vegetable starts, herbs, perennials, flowers, heirloom plants
Farmstand open daylight hours
Athol
SUGARBUSH FARM
47 Davis Rd 978-544-7178 Beef, maple syrup, hay
R2F
DEAN’S BEANS
50 R.W. Moore Ave 978-544-2002 deansbeans.com
Fair trade coffee, cocoa, sugar QH
SEEDS OF SOLIDARITY
165 Chestnut Hill Rd 978-544-7564 seedsofsolidarity.org
Greens, vegetables, garlic, rustic furniture
Self-serve 3-season solar-powered farmstand QH
AgCom (Linda Hickman [email protected])
Hardwick
R2F
AgCom (call Town Hall 978-544-1101)
RACHEL’S EVERLASTINGS
185 Prentiss St 978-544-6063
Vegetables, smoothies, sauces, seeds, flowers, crafts
Wendell
QUABBIN SKY VINEYARD
8 Hunt Rd 978-544-6543
Wine from local grapes, tastings; drop in year-round; call first
Orange
HANDFUL FARM
978-821-2189 Vegetables, soap
Barre
R2F
AgCom (David Petrovick 978-355-5003)
BURNSHIRT VALLEY FARM
415-858-4424 [email protected]
Pork, chicken, goat – Off-farm sales by appointment
CALEDONIA FARM
167 Grogan Rd 978-355-4519 caledoniafarm.com
Beef, pork, chicken, eggs – Call ahead
KING’S FARM
1743 White Pond Rd 978-249-7441
Vegetables, nursey plants - Farmstand open daily May-Sept
NIEMI’S APIARY
183 Drury Ave 978-249-4019
Raw honey, beeswax, candles, handcream - Open daily
Petersham
GRACE NOTE FARM
66 N Main St 978-724-3127 gracenotefarm.com
Eggs, culinary mushrooms, pork, chicken
CARTER & STEVENS FARM STORE
500 West St 978-355-4940 carterandstevensfarm.com
Ice cream, BBQ, raw milk, beef, produce, hay, maple syrup
Store open spring through fall
LANDWORKS FARMSTAND
327 East St 978-724-3314
Vegetables, hay, cordwood
Contact for large quantity storage vegetables QH
CHRISTIAN HILL FARM
630 Williamsville Rd 978-257-0178 christian-hill-farm.com
Heritage pork
QUABBIN GATE FARM
20 Dana Rd 978-724-3537
Beeswax, molasses, maple syrup, eggs
Call ahead
HANCOCK FARM
249 Hancock Rd 978-355-2062 hancockdairy.com
Dairy, cheese, ice cream, milk, home delivery
HARTMAN’S HERB FARM and B&B
1026 Old Dana Rd 978-355-2015 hartmansherbfarm.com
Herbs, perennials, annuals, vegetables and dried flowers
Open daily 10-5
HILLSIDE FARM
160 Lane Rd 413-623-5519 [email protected]
Pasture-raised lamb, pork, and beef, free range chicken
On-farm sales by appointment
LOG CABIN ORCHARDS
1740 Pleasant St 978-355-4558
Apples, pears, peaches – Self-serve farmstand
MANY HANDS ORGANIC FARM
411 Sheldon Rd 978-355-2853 mhof.net
Certified organic vegetable and fruit CSA, chicken broilers, turkeys,
eggs, pork, non-certified organic grassfed beef
Products mostly available by pre-order
STONE HARVEST FARM
60 Hardwick Rd 978-724-0024 stoneharvestfarm.com
Cashmere goat and Tibetan Yak stock, produce, free-range
all-natural no-chemical goat, chicken, turkey meat, fiber, pelts
Open year round, pre-order meat requests
SWEETWATER FARM
95 Maple Lane 413-813-5746 sweetwaterfarmma.org
Organic beef, vegetables, fruit, cider, maple syrup, organic hay, wool
Mon-Fri 9-5 (call ahead) QH
WANDA DICKSON
232 N Main St 978-724-3421
Eggs, flowers, plants, vegetables, firewood
KEY
R2F
Town has passed a Right to Farm law
Sells at area farmers market (see list
on reverse side)
QH
Products available at Quabbin Harvest