Siena Farms South End

When I moved to Boston seven years ago (having grown up in New Jersey, not far from New York City), I was struck by how small the food scene was. For a region with such a plentiful supply of produce, I was disappointed by the lack of options for getting your hands on locally grown fruits and vegetables. There have been a number of changes over the last few years and one of the most striking has been the emergence of local farms who have really made an impact on this city.

One of the most successful has been Siena Farms, a fifty-acre farm located just 25-miles west of Boston in Sudbury, MA. Having made its rounds to local farmer's markets and with their enormously successful CSA program, the next logical step for the farm was to open a brick and mortar store in Boston's South End, where they could sell their produce and dairy. At their shop, which is open year round, one can find locally foraged mushrooms, various types and colors of green beans, carrots, apples, and fingerling potatoes. The staff is warm and well-informed, offering guidance on how to prepare their produce (a few of the vegetables, like Dragon Tongue Beans, were foreign to me, but I was directed to try one raw and left with a bag to prepare for dinner).

A store like this makes me feel like I'm back home, walking the streets of New York, and there's something in the spirit of Siena Farms that makes me optimistic that things are changing in this city.

-Brian Samuels

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01. Brian Samuels

5 Comments

Comments

[Erin]

This past year I have put a lot more focus on buying local. It is wonderful having the option to buy local and I am fortunate to live in a town that has a variety of markets to buy from. They are all conveniently located close to where I work and live too! I really hope that the market continues to grow and that people become more aware of the benefits of buying local. There is a sense of community in it all that I love.

[Mr Glitter]

I absolutely love places like this. Really beautiful.

[Sarah]

So great you found a place like this.

[JulieD]

That's so awesome, Brian! I yearn for the same kind of thing where I live!

[Sofi]

This market sets the tone for the entire South End. Special, polite, friendly, and quaint. Also, the best arugula I've ever had...