wellness
The Best Local Farmers Markets and What to Buy in Season
Boston shoppers this July are heading to neighborhood markets for peak summer produce that supports training routines along the Charles River and recovery at area hospitals.
How we reported this
Shoppers filled the stalls at two central Boston markets last Saturday with crates of blueberries, corn and tomatoes arriving straight from eastern Massachusetts farms.
Summer heat along the Charles River Esplanade has pushed runners and walkers to seek lighter meals built around local fruit and vegetables that ripen quickly in July fields.
The Copley Square Farmers Market sets up Tuesdays and Fridays along St. James Avenue near the Boston Public Library, while the Boston Public Market operates daily inside its year-round hall at 100 Hanover Street in the North End.
A 2025 Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources report showed state farms harvested 2.1 million pounds of blueberries in the previous season, with pint containers selling for $3.50 to $4.25 at Boston markets through mid-July.
Markets drawing steady crowds
Runners preparing for the Boston Marathon often stop at the Copley site before or after loops on the Esplanade, where vendors also sell zucchini, summer squash and early peaches from farms within 60 miles of the city. The North End location on Hanover Street attracts hospital staff from Massachusetts General and Beth Israel Deaconess after shifts, offering herbs and greens grown in nearby Middlesex County greenhouses.
Both markets accept SNAP and WIC benefits through the Boston Bounty Bucks program, which matches up to $20 per visit for eligible shoppers and has processed more than 180,000 transactions since its 2023 expansion.
July produce to fill baskets
Blueberries remain the top draw because they travel well in tote bags during Freedom Trail walks and supply quick antioxidants after long training runs. Corn on the cob sells for $6 per half-dozen, while beefsteak tomatoes from local plots cost $2.75 per pound and pair with fresh basil for simple salads that fit post-workout recovery plans. Peaches from orchards near Worcester arrive in the second week of July and hold up for several days when kept cool in Back Bay apartments.
Market managers recommend arriving before 10 a.m. on weekdays to avoid lines and selecting items with visible stems or husks to confirm recent harvest dates. Shoppers can then walk two blocks from Copley to the Prudential Center for storage bags or continue along Hanover Street for kitchen staples at North End grocers.