For the first time in its 110-year history, the Boston Fish Pier will host a weekly farmers market this summer, where businesses at the landmark can sell directly to customers. Featuring Rocky Neck Fish, Stillman’s Farm produce, McGuire’s Mushrooms, Copicut Farms meats and more local vendors, the Fish & Farm Market starts Saturday, June 22, and runs every Saturday through October 26 from 11am-3pm.
The Fish & Farm Market is the latest from Mass Farmers Markets, the nonprofit organization behind the popular Copley Square Farmers Market as well as markets in Central, Davis and Kendall squares. Mass Farmers Markets is collaborating with Massport, which owns and operates Boston’s historic fish pier. Last year, Massport piloted a colorful collection of Boxes at the Fish Pier, intended to host pop-up markets and other activities to promote the working harbor. This summer’s new market builds off of that effort with regular, weekly market hours in a new, central location in the parking lot at the front of the pier.
“The city is literally growing around us,” says Steve Gennodie, owner of Rocky Neck Fish, whose company has been based at the fish pier for nearly a decade. Having a farmers market at the central site for the Boston fishing industry “is to invite the public” to see what goes on there, the fishmonger says. Climate change, Seaport development and other factors are impacting commercial fishing in Boston and beyond. Yet unlike other cities that have decentralized their fishing ports, Boston’s is still quite active. “We still have vessels coming in every day with local bluefish, cod, haddock,” Gennodie says, "and we want to let Boston know that." The Boston Fish Pier is all home to upwards of 20 seafood-focused businesses.
The many Seaport high-rises that have gone up in the past decade are bringing more demand for access to fresh food in the neighborhood. Due to feedback from regular visitors to the pilot Fish Pier markets, Massport said in a press release, the goal of this year’s market is to expand the number and type of local food purveyors available to shoppers. So far, the Fish & Farm Market lineup includes a number of staple food vendors plus specialty products like breads and pastries, skin and haircare products and prepared Indian food to-go.
Rocky Neck Fish is doing its part to meet the needs of the neighborhood, Gennodie shares. Along with raw fish and shellfish options, expect a selection of easy-to-prepare items like shrimp cocktail kits, salmon burgers, marinated seafood and more.
Get the latest on the Fish & Farm Market at massfarmersmarkets.org/fishandfarmmarket, and check it out on the Boston Fish Pier beginning later this month.