Dear Cape Ann Farmers Market Friends,

Started in 2006 by a group of volunteers who wanted to purchase and enjoy local food while making it accessible to the whole community, the Cape Ann Farmers Market (CAFM) is about to conclude its 14t​h​ season.

Since our beginning, numerous local farmers and small food businesses have gotten their start at CAFM. Many have moved-on to open brick-and-mortar storefronts and regional distribution networks.

CAFM is truly an example of what it means to generate ‘home grown’ local success stories.

I was one of the early volunteers back in 2006 who envisioned a thriving community gathering space where farmers and food producers would connect directly with the residents of Cape Ann. I was also one of the people who hired Farmers Market Director, Niki Bogin.

At the end of 2019, Niki will be stepping down after 12 years leading the market and making it what it is today: a Gloucester institution.​ During her tenure Niki has attracted more than 20 farmers, helping to preserve over 700 acres of local farmland, and attracted ​over 100 ​food producers and micro businesses to sell at the Cape Ann Farmers Market.

When CAFM began, not one participating farm was physically located on Cape Ann. Since 2007 ​more than 1⁄2 of CAFM’s farmers have been local, ​using the Market as a platform to get established and/or expand. Furthermore, Cape Ann Farmers Market has partnered with/or hosted over 50 local non-profits to help them publicize their efforts. Backyard Growers, Art Haven’s Teen Artist Guild, and the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance’s Cape Ann Fresh Catch and Seafood Throwdown all got their start through CAFM.

Niki is excited to pass the baton to the next Farmers Market Director, Courtney Ayer, who will assume the director role effective January 1, 2020. Courtney and CAFM’s volunteer leadership team are eager to build on Niki’s success and take CAFM into the future.

In celebration of the Cape Ann Farmers Market and how aptly Niki has grown this Gloucester institution, ​please join me in renewing your membership today​!

Not only will your membership help CAFM to end 2019 on strong financial footing, but membership entitles you to great savings all year long on delicious foods and products around town. Please use the following link to review the benefits of membership and pay online. ​Please seriously consider membership at the $50 or $100 level.

https://www.capeannfarmersmarket.org/support

I know you’ll agree with me in saying that the Cape Ann community, local farmers, and small food businesses are all better off because of Niki Bogin’s tireless dedication. Thank you, Niki! And thank ​YOU​ for standing with me as an enthusiastic fan of the Cape Ann Farmers Market: now and heading into the next decade of our success.

Sincerely,

Melissa A. Dimond, cofounder of CAFM and CAFM Advisory Committee member

**Holiday Special**
Get your $50  membership before the end of 2019 and get a bonus $5 to spend on anything at CAFM!

Click the link below to get your membership today and help keep CAFM strong. Membership perks at local Cape Ann businesses and restaurants make it easy to make back your investment – and they make a great holiday gift!

https://www.capeannfarmersmarket.org/support

Come learn a new skill or craft to do by the fire this winter at our Solstice Celebration.

There will be activities such as log splitting in the yard and crafts from wood carving to knitting in the Waterline Center for kids and adults.

Activities range from $2 to $20. There will be baked goods and hot drinks!

December 21st from 11am to 4pm at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, 66 Main Street, Essex 01929

For more information go to the website: https://www.essexshipbuilding.org/calendar-of-events

Gun Forum:A respectful public discussion of an emotional and serious national issue

The purpose of the forum is education and a peaceful exchange of ideas via listening to folks with whom we might disagree to better understand different viewpoints and if common ground exists.

Gloucester high school students are participating in forum by doing research, creating questions, and helping with publicity and logistics on the day of the forum.

Gloucester High School

Saturday 12/14/19 → 10 AM – 11:30 AM

Sponsored By: The League of Women Voters of Cape Ann

Free and open to the public 

Panelists:
Gregory Gibson, author and father of a shooting victim

Mark Nestor, decorated veteran Vietnam War and commander of the Lester S. Wass American Legion Post

Jim Wallace, president of the Massachusetts Gun Owners Action League (G.O.A.L.)

Moderator will be John Bell, former Mayor of Gloucester and US Army Officer who served in Korea

All questions and comments will be written and screened.

Come join the conversation on the history of clamming in Essex, the build of an authentic clamming skiff by students from the Topsfield Vocational Academy and the making of clamming baskets.

The leaders of the project, Justin Demetri, Jeff Lane, Mark Webster, Chris Stepler, and Susannah Winder will host a conversational lecture where derailing the conversation is most definitely encouraged! Come with your curiosity and you won’t be disappointed.

The fun begins at 7PM on December the 18th at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. Tickets are are available on our website: https://www.essexshipbuilding.org/museum-store/frame-up-to-fit-out-1 or at the door – $10 for non-members and $8 for members.

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You can find the original GMG article from the day the skiff went clamming here :https://goodmorninggloucester.org/2019/09/28/clamming-in-the-boat-we-built/

Sunday, December 22nd at 5:30 pm at the Temple Ahavat Achim, 86 Middle St, Gloucester

Please join us on the first night of Hanukkah as we light our Lobster Trap Hanukkiah. Latkes will be served and songs will be sung! Everyone is welcome. This is a free event.