This Week: Aquidneck Growers' Market opens on Memorial Blvd., moves outside at Newport Vineyards

Locavores and lovers of fresh local foods celebrate this week’s opening of the 24th summer season of Aquidneck Growers’ Markets in Middletown and Newport. Both markets were recently awarded “Best market in RI” by Yankee Magazine, chosen from almost 50 summer markets for their lovely locations and selection of unique products.

The market will open outdoors this Saturday with new summer hours from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Newport Vineyard & Winery in Middletown, and this Wednesday afternoon from 2 PM to 6 PM on Memorial Boulevard in Newport, rain or shine!

The markets welcome back vendors old and new, offering a wide selection of locally sourced foods: fresh vegetables and fruit; pasture-raised meat and eggs; fresh and smoked fish; artisan bread and pastries; flowers; bedding plants and a selection of prepared foods, plus freshly squeezed juices.

Aquidneck Growers’ Market partners with Farm Fresh RI and Wholesome Wave Foundation to offer bonuses for fruit and vegetables for SNAP clients who use their EBT allowance to purchase tokens at the market’s Welcome Stall. For every $5 that SNAP program users spend they receive an additional $2 in tokens to purchase fresh fruits and veggies. Many market vendors also accept WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and Senior Citizen coupons. Customers without cash may use their debit or credit cards to purchase market tokens at the Welcome Stall for convenient shopping at every vendor.

A full list of market vendors and benefit programs can be found at www.aquidneckcommunitytable.org.