The Canton Farmers Market announces first “farmers market specials” dinner fundraiser in partnership with Chef Marc Sheehan and Northern Spy restaurant.
Proceeds to Benefit Canton Farmers Market 2024 Food Access Initiatives and Season.
Market (CFM), a Canton-based nonprofit bringing together local farmers and artisans while educating and connecting the greater Canton community through access to fresh food, is pleased to announce the first “Farmers Market Specials” Dinner to raise funds for the CFM’s 2024 food access and operational initiatives. The event will take place on Thursday, February 29 at Northern Spy restaurant in Canton, and is inspired by the weekly farmers market specials created by Chef Marc Sheehan each week during the market season. Tickets for the event are $250 each and will be on sale starting today, January 22, 2024, via Resy at bit.ly/CFMDinner through Friday, February 23.
Proceeds from the event will allow the CFM to double down on its mission to provide education and increase food access for the greater Canton community, helping the non-profit in continuing to be a thriving hub where local farmers and artisans can generate income to reinvest in their businesses.
The Farmers Market Specials Dinner, celebrating the CFM’s four pillars of fresh, local, accessible, and community, will feature the following:
- An exclusive and unique gourmet private four-course meal created by Chef Marc Sheehan and the team at Northern Spy, featuring fresh and local ingredients from CFM vendors and more
- A cocktail hour reception featuring deliciously crafted passed appetizers and live music
- Two complimentary drink tickets
In addition to the cocktail hour and the special 4-course dinner, Gary Titus will emcee the event which will also include a silent auction, a short live auction, and a paddle raise. All proceeds will benefit the CFM in its mission to bring together local farmers and artisans and to provide fresh food that is local and accessible while educating and bringing the community together.
“Interacting directly at local farmers markets with the produce as well as the farmers and artisans has always inspired my menus, and it is through these conversations that I learned how many people in the Canton community were using the market to access healthy, local food they might otherwise not be able to obtain,” said Marc Sheehan, Chef & Owner of Northern Spy. “Good, healthy food should be available to everyone, and the Canton Farmers Market plays a huge role in making fresh and local food accessible to all. Supporting the market’s mission not only helps support our neighbors who may be experiencing food insecurity, but it also helps local farmers and artisans continue to develop their businesses, and further cement this young institution as a bedrock for our town for years to come. We are thrilled to help support the market and what it stands for by collaborating on this fundraiser.”
Part of the CFM’s mission is to increase food access. The market is certified to accept several state and federal nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program and Senior Coupons. This past season the amount of SNAP redeemed at the market doubled from the previous season. In partnership with the Canton Helpline vouchers are available through the food pantry and other social service providers to allow Canton residents in need to purchase fresh, local food at the market each week.
“The Canton Farmers Market has quickly become a beloved gathering place for the Canton community and beyond, and as a non-profit organization we are always in need of funds to further our mission,” said Marie Ericson, Board Member and Market Manager for the Canton Farmers Market. “There is so much more that we can do to provide education and access to fresh, local food for everyone in our community and this fundraiser will help us grow. We are so grateful to Chef Marc and the Northern Spy team for their support of us and the Canton community.”
To learn more about the Farmers Market Specials Fundraiser, or the CFM in general, visit www.cantonfarmersmarket.org. To purchase tickets to the fundraiser, visit the reservation page on RESY.
About The Canton Farmers Market
The Canton Farmers Market was founded in 2021 with a mission to bring together local farmers and artisans who produce the highest quality goods and connect them to the Canton community while providing education on health and wellness through fresh food, fitness, and social connection. The market season runs each year on Sundays from mid-June to late October at 950 Washington St. in Canton, MA. Each week features a variety of local food and artisan vendors, live music, special events, and more.
