Here’s The Buzz:

At the end of July, Brewery 44 in Carver closed their doors as Jameson Wright and Mike Johnson did a victory tour of sorts before closing. However, in great news for beer lovers, Brewery 44 has been purchased by Mike and Mary King and will reopen soon. Offering the same convivial atmosphere with various ales, eats, music, and more, as one fan said, “The pheasant will fly once again over Carver.” Cheers!

Read The Buzz on our dynamic edition here.

Pretentious Pickle’s new retail store is now open at 42 Mattakeesett Street, Pembroke, and they are building their own commercial kitchen in a second spot in Pembroke. Expanding from their now-closed Plymouth location, the new kitchen was developed to increase the number of pickles being produced—over 30 different products. Once construction is complete, count on the Pretentious Pickle to open even more stores in the area, and they intimate they may open some not-so-local stores as well. It’s a great day to be in a pickle

The end of an era… after 87 years of serving Brant Rock and many neighboring towns, the brothers Haddad sold Haddad’s Ocean Cafe to Table Nine Hospitality and its partners who also own Assembly in Quincy. To the partners’ credit, the name, menu, and staff will primarily be the same, paying tribute to this Marshfield institution. In addition, Mitch Haddad will stay on for a year, with Chuck leaving in September. (Their other brother, George, is a teacher.) Many thanks to the Haddad family for almost 90 years and three generations of serving up awesome seafood and hospitality. And kudos to its new owners and new general manager TJ O’Connell (formerly of Ocean’s Edge in Brewster) for keeping all our faves on the menu and the Haddad name on the door.

Something is brewing on the South Coast. Richard Freeman who bought the Sunrise Bakery location in New Bedford late last year has just acquired the Dartmouth location as well. Closed for over a year and making locals misty-eyed with its departure, we can now celebrate that this fan favorite is returning. Freeman wants to offer the same tried and true baked goods and coffee while adding hot sandwiches as well. He is hoping to reopen by Thanksgiving.

Pay to get lost in this year’s Buzzards Bay Brewing Corn Maze at Russell Family Farm in Westport. Beginning September 6 and running through October 27, this year’s maze is “a new maze with new challenges.” Tickets are available at the brewery and mazers need to know that the brewery closes at a different time from the corn maze. With that in mind, set some time aside and venture down to Westport. It will be an a-mazing adventure.

Trucchi’s Supermarkets along with its customers are making food more accessible for those who are food insecure. The Can Hunger! program encourages shoppers to purchase $5, $10, $15, and $20 “Pre-filled Donation Bags” from its six store locations in Abington, Middleboro, New Bedford, Taunton (2), and West Bridgewater. The Bags are then distributed to area hunger relief organizations including St. Vincent De Paul, Solanus Casey Food Pantry, Our Daily Bread, Taunton Area Community Table, East Bridgewater Food Pantry, and West Bridgewater Food Pantry. Putting the “Can” in Can Do and Can Hunger!

It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of two pioneers of modern day farmers’ markets on the South Shore. Mark Cullings passed suddenly in mid-August. He was the driving force of the Hingham’s Farmers’ Market (HFM) for the past 25 years, acting as its president and reestablishing Massachusetts’ third oldest farmers’ market. Mark’s presence in the community was larger than life. A kind man who put the needs of friends, family, and his community first, his smiling face and hard work will be sorely missed. The HFM marked Mark’s passing with many many tears, a Celebration of Life in the Old Ship Church, and several special observances to honor his memory before the opening bell of several markets. We’ll miss you, Mark.

Located on Route 53 in Hanover, Greensmith Farm and its farm stand offer some of the freshest organically grown produce on the South Shore. The farm has sourced local materials to make its own compost as well as using other permaculture practices. Customers will appreciate that all of Greensmith Farm’s offerings are pesticide-free. Sitting on a five-acre plot, the farm is proof that shopping and eating local does indeed have sweet rewards.

Giving health food a new tasty twist, Boofa’s in Green Harbor opened in the spring of 2023. Offering smoothies, wraps, cheeses, juices, and more in a take-out setting, owner Michelle Collins is on a quest to offer health food with tons of taste. The selections are ample, including nine different milk and milk alternatives as well as foods that appeal to all tastes and needs with gluten-free, keto, vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore offerings. Making healthy taste good and understanding how various food items affect certain dietary and nutritional concerns, Collins is revved up to provide healthy options for customers while catering to their taste buds as well.

Also in August, the founder of the Marshfield Farmers’ Market, Karen Biagini, also passed away. Known for her jubilant effervescence, Karen embraced all those who knew her and even those she didn’t. That care, love, and passion for her family and friends extended to the overall Marshfield community including the Marshfield Fair, Marshfield YMCA, and Magical Moon Farm. The planet was a better place with Karen in it and we will miss her dearly.

By Terry Vandewater.

Keep us in the loop. Reach out to us at info@edibleSEMA.com with your ideas or suggestions for The Buzz or comment below.