Worcester Farmers Markets Mark National Farmers Market Week With Food Access Programs and Family Activities
By Jerry Filmore
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester residents will have several opportunities during National Farmers Market Week to purchase locally grown food, learn about programs that help stretch grocery budgets, and connect with farmers, vendors, and community organizations.
The Regional Environmental Council, commonly known as REC, will recognize National Farmers Market Week from Aug. 2 through Aug. 8 across its community farmers markets, weekly Mobile Market stops, and preorder pickup locations.
According to REC, its local farmers market network includes two community markets, 13 weekly Mobile Market stops, and four preorder pickup locations across Worcester. The organization said the markets are intended to connect residents with locally grown food while supporting farmers and improving access to nutritious products.
“Families can access affordable, healthy food, support local farmers, and connect with their community,” REC Development Director Tracy Andryc said in the organization’s announcement.
Community markets in Worcester
REC operates community farmers markets at Beaver Brook Park and University Park.
REC describes its Beaver Brook Park market as Worcester’s longest continually operating farmers market. It is held Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. The University Park market is held Saturdays during the same hours.
Together, the markets include local farmers, bakeries, specialty food vendors, community organizations, and educational resources. REC said the University Park location also hosts activities during the season, including music, children’s programming, face painting, and interactive educational experiences.
The markets serve as neighborhood access points for residents who may not regularly travel to larger grocery stores or traditional retail centers. The Mobile Market program extends that reach by bringing produce to 13 Worcester locations each week.
REC markets accept cash, credit cards, debit cards, SNAP, the Healthy Incentives Program, WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons. These payment options allow eligible residents to use public nutrition benefits when purchasing fruits, vegetables, and other qualifying products from local vendors.
National Farmers Market Week events
REC will participate in Out to Lunch at Worcester Common on Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staff will provide information about the community and mobile markets and explain how shoppers can use SNAP, HIP, WIC, and senior farmers market benefits. Visitors may also enter a National Farmers Market Week raffle.
On Friday, Aug. 7, the Beaver Brook Park Farmers Market will operate from 9 a.m. to noon. WIC staff are scheduled to distribute Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons that eligible families can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from participating farmers.
The University Park Farmers Market will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. Families can participate in free activities and hands-on science programming provided by Inventor Mentor while shopping from local farmers and vendors.
Throughout the week, shoppers who make a purchase at an REC community or mobile farmers market will be entered into a raffle. According to REC, prizes will include fresh produce, a farmers market coupon, and limited-edition REC merchandise.
Local food, neighborhood access, and affordability
National Farmers Market Week is an annual recognition of the role farmers markets play in local food systems. In Worcester, the week also draws attention to how residents can use nutrition benefits outside traditional grocery stores.
The availability of SNAP, HIP, WIC, and senior nutrition coupons may be particularly relevant to families and older adults working within limited food budgets. However, the press release does not provide eligibility requirements or individual benefit amounts. Residents should confirm those details through the agency responsible for their benefits.
REC also operates UGROW, a network of more than 80 community and school gardens, and YouthGROW, an urban agriculture-based youth employment and leadership program. Its farmers market programs provide Worcester residents with access to fresh, locally produced food.
Residents can review locations, schedules, and updates through REC’s official farmers market information page. Additional information about REC and its programs is available through the Regional Environmental Council.
🔎 W.U.W. Verification Box
• Project / Topic: National Farmers Market Week programming at Regional Environmental Council community and mobile farmers markets in Worcester.
• Current Status: REC has announced activities, food-access information, a shopper raffle, and special programming scheduled from Aug. 2 through Aug. 8, 2026.
• Key Dates or Decisions: REC will participate in Out to Lunch on Aug. 5. WIC coupon distribution is scheduled for Aug. 7 at Beaver Brook Park, and family activities with Inventor Mentor are scheduled for Aug. 8 at University Park.
• Estimated Cost: The press release does not list an admission fee or cost for the special activities. The cost of products sold by individual farmers and vendors is not provided.
• Timeline: National Farmers Market Week runs from Aug. 2 through Aug. 8. Beaver Brook Park operates Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon, and University Park operates Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Immediate Next Steps: Residents can review market locations and schedules, determine which payment or nutrition benefits they may use, and attend the scheduled community market events.
• Primary Sources: Regional Environmental Council press release and REC’s official farmers market information page.
• What We Do Not Yet Know: The source material does not provide individual vendor lists, raffle drawing details, WIC eligibility requirements, benefit amounts, or a complete schedule for every Mobile Market location.
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