'Where are the Shoppers?' Swampscott Farmers' Market Asks

Every Sunday from mid-June until the end of October vendors from around the region set up at Swampscott High School for the Swampscott Farmers Market.

What’s supposed to happen next is that area residents come and buy the produce, homemade goods and other items those vendors traveled to display.

But it hasn’t been working out quite that way this year, according a recent post on the Swampscott Farmers Market website.

“Unfortunately we have noticed a dramatic decline in market customers this year and we want to get feedback from everyone as to why this may be happening,” the post reads, going on to say that market organizers have worked to ensure a wide variety of goods is available at the market, specifically due to past requests from patrons.

“We need you to come out and support the vendors and spread the word so that your friends and families come out as well,” the post reads.

A number of comments on the post as well as to a post on the farmers’ market’s page on Facebook seem to indicate that the schedule has been a deterrent for some.

“I wish it was during the week like a Tuesday or Thursday,” writes Jean, adding that she heads into Salem for the market there on Thursdays.

“Personally, we like to get our shopping done on Saturday and have the rest of the weekend to enjoy other activities,” commenter Jill added. “I think to be competitive, it should either start very early in the day, or move it to the afternoon to catch those shoppers who prefer that time.”

The administrator for the farmers’ market blog replied that a lot of the scheduling decisions have to do with fitting into the schedules of vendors who already attend markets scheduled at other times.

Other folks seemed to just need a reminder; multiple commenters asked about an email or text reminder.

“something as simple as an email or text reminder on Sunday morning would be immensely helpful in getting me to attend each week. or have an option to add it as a calendar event on each weekly email,” rstuart515 shared.

The market operates every Sunday through October from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Swampscott High School

>>>> So what do you think, Readers? Is there a particular reason you haven’t been to the farmers’ market this summer? What could change or help encourage you to go?