By Terry Vandewater.

edible SEMA is a hyper-local organization that celebrates the abundance of seasonal food and drink in Southeastern Massachusetts. Our readership area covers over 50 towns and cities in Plymouth, Bristol, and parts of Norfolk Counties. This includes miles upon miles of coastlines, hundreds of farms, and four of the largest cities in Massachusetts. Rural, suburban, urban—there’s something for everyone. edible SEMA embraces the locavore movement, which also encompasses restaurants, bars, food artisans, wineries, and you, the lucky beneficiaries of all this bounty.

There is a lot going on in Southeastern Massachusetts when it comes to the locavore community, and eSEMA wants to share with our readers as many “goings on” as possible. Whether its farms and businesses expanding, moving, or popping up, or those that have been around for a bit but were under our radar or new to us, The Buzz will keep you up to date with locavore news. Though our initial column may seem a little Plymouth- County-heavy, it is our hope that as we build this column, our news items will cover our entire readership area… from coast to coast and everything in between.

So without further delay, we give you The Buzz.

New(Z)2Us

We’ve lived here a long time, so it’s always exciting to find a hidden gem or business that is new to us in eSEMA world and needs to be shared:

Veteran-owned and in business since December 2019,  Wellness Croft offers a new twist in the CSA community. Focusing on “plant-based products with purpose,” Wellness Croft, located in Plymouth, is an online farm stand offering monthly freeze-dried fruits subscriptions. All products are from ethical growers in the Northeast and all are processed in the company’s allergen-free facilities. Happy snacking!

Up and running for three years now, Stargazer Hollow Farm in Berkley has been practicing regenerative farming and showcasing its heirloom varieties of vegetables, beautiful flowers, and Indian Runner Duck eggs at select farmers’ markets and CSAs. They also raise other fowl, sheep, and bees, all using earth-friendly methods. Ah, sustainability.

Split Rock Beer Garden & Raw Bar in the center of Cohasset (12 Parking Way) is open for the season and gives customers everything New England—local beer, local oysters, and a family-friendly environment that will make this a destination for all this summer. It’s time to chillax.

Brewster Bar is fast becoming a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Great drinks, friendly staff, and live music on weekends is making this cocktail bar the new hot spot in Plymouth center. Cheers!

Great Moves

After a few years of operating out of multiple locations, Holmestead Harvest recently opened a farm stand, grocery store, and cafe all under one roof at 30 Temple Street in Whitman. The local community, embracing this woman-owned market and its local products, helped raise money to make the storefront a reality. Kudos to all.

Plymouth Farmers’ Market opened for the season in their new digs at Plymouth Square in West Plymouth (101 Carver Road) outside GPub. The change of venue will accommodate the market’s growing crowd with improved parking and traffic flow. And of course, it continues to feature the wide array of local vendors, artisans, entertainment, and conviviality that make this farmers’ market a favorite for miles around.

Happy to hear Nessralla Farms Halifax is up and operational in its new location at 416 Plymouth Street. When their former landlord made a business decision that forced the farm to close in December, the owners used the time to find a new location which just happened to be a few doors down. Very happy this local stalwart is kicking butt at their new home.

Towne Farm Tonics is living the dream after purchasing Berry Hill Farm from the Pierce family, third-generation farmers in Westport. Beginning in July, Towne Farm Tonics will be growing their own herbs. Not only does this sale keep the property a working farm, but Towne Farm Tonics now can grow many of its tonic ingredients on the site. That’s keeping it local. And a shout out to Carissa and Adam on the birth of their first son, Wren!

Indie Ferm finally is one—in one expanded space, that is. The Plymouth brewer snapped up the middle unit between its brewery and taproom after the tenant decided to move— giving Indie Ferm the run of the whole Camelot Drive building. Yay!

Looking to retire and kick back a bit, C&C Reading Farms in West Bridgewater found an owner for their farm who also embraces sustainability. Now known as Vineyard Farm, the property was purchased by the Silva family who also run a small operation on Martha’s Vineyard. Family members work at both local establishments. The farm stand is up and running, keeping true to Farmer Pete and his lovely wife Lynn’s family tradition. Best of luck to Pete and Lynn on their retirement. And welcome to the Silva family!

Please feel free to email info@ediblesema.com with any ideas or suggestions for The Buzz.

Terry Vandewater likes buzzing around her garden when she’s not editing or writing about ediblesema-land.