Buy and Sell Local Products: It’s Not a Brand New Idea
By Cornelia Cesari

Soldiers return from the war to find that transportation costs are so high, it’s difficult and expensive for farmers to get their products to market. They organize to create a unified voice with legislative influence. Sound like a 2007 initiative?

Actually, the year is 1867 and the war is the Civil War. Thus the National Grange was formed, as a "union" for farmers. Still concerned with rural issues, the Grange’s focus has broadened to include other community issues, including education and conservation.

True to the organization’s original purpose (as timely as ever), Chelsea’s Grange hosts a series of winter farmers’ markets. The May-October markets on the common were going so well, recounts Barb Chambers, "We thought we’d give people the opportunity to buy homegrown, local foods in the off-season." Local farmers and vendors have supplied Grange winter markets with meat (chicken, pork, beef and lamb), breads, jam, jellies, pickles, and winter vegetables like potatoes, squash and carrots.

Locally made non-edibles have also been available. For example, Red Rock Farm has brought wreaths, swags and non-Christmas decorations. Local shoppers have found products like coat hooks made from sap spouts, and birdhouses.

The Chelsea Grange, established in 1907, is a small but active organization. Its mission is "to nurture a sense of community involvement through family-oriented activities that educate, entertain, and help those in need." The Junior Grange operates as a subset of the Grange, with a strong emphasis on developing a sense of community service, responsibility, and leadership.

The Grange sponsors activities and initiatives like holiday parties and the holiday decorating contest, the winter wonderland workshop series, fall harvest food baskets, family game nights, contra dances, and production of the community calendar.

Renovations are just being completed to the historic Grange Hall on Route 110 just south of the village, which is a large, functional space available for rent within the community. The space is available now, although, reports Chambers, "We are just finishing up the kitchen. We still need a good working double sink and a stove." The Grange would happily accept donations. What else do they need? "Members!" laughs Chambers. "We can always use members. We’re a small group."

This Saturday, March 8 is an Easter-themed market, and there’s a market again on April 12. Markets run from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. New vendors are welcome, too. Contact Anne Carroll at 685-9962 for more information. Some tables are available.

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