cityofboston.gov

Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s Office of Food Initiatives is excited to announce a new, first-of-its-kind pilot program that will put local, day-boat fish at Farmers’ Markets around the city, starting today.

“For the first time since the original Faneuil Hall Market Place closed its doors in the mid-1900s, Boston residents, workers, and visitors will be able to purchase fresh, healthy day-boat fish in a vibrant urban market setting,” Mayor Menino said. “This is truly an exciting program that expands access to healthy foods and represents a culinary option that is unique to Boston.”

The City Hall Farmers’ Market will be the first market to feature fresh fish TODAY, and members of the media are welcome to visit.

While Massachusetts has one of the largest seafood industries in the United States, retail access to day-boat fish is largely non-existent. That’s what makes this pilot so exciting. Not only will day-boat fish be available across the street from the original Faneuil Hall, at the City Hall Farmers’ Market but also at various neighborhood markets including East Boston, Mattapan, and Dorchester. A full list of the markets and the weekday when a fish vendor will be onsite is outlined below.

This pilot program is a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Food Initiatives, the City’s Inspectional Services Department, the Boston Collaborative for Food & Fitness, Red’s Best Seafood and Cape Cod Fish Share, which will be vending at the various Farmers Market sites.

"Red's Best is excited about the opportunity to facilitate the connection between local fishermen and the general public through Boston’s Farmers' Markets.  The Mayor and his office have done a wonderful job putting this together and the entire city will benefit,” said Jared Auerbach, Chief Executive Officer of Red’s Best Seafood. “The Boston Farmers' Markets will allow us to showcase the amazing local seafood that is thriving in our backyard." 

Participating Sites:

Mondays

South Boston Farmers’ Market

446 W. Broadway (Btwn Mt. Washington & Bank of America)

Tuesdays

Copley Square Farmers Market

Dewey Square Farmers Market

Wednesdays

City Hall Plaza 

Thursdays

East Boston Farmers Market

Central Square (Bennington & Meridian Streets)

Bowdoin Geneva Farmers’ Market

230 Bowdoin Street (Bowdoin Street Health Center)

Fridays

Allston Farmers Market  (June)

N. Harvard & Western Avenues

Ashmont Farmers Market (July 6)

Saturdays

Mattapan Farmers Market (July 7)