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星期四, 10月 09, 2014

綠路一號上將開張永久性農夫市場

Boston Public Market Breaks Ground on Permanent Indoor Public Food Market
Long-Planned Civic Institution to Open Next Summer
BOSTON — The Boston Public Market today broke ground on its new permanent indoor public food market on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway directly above the Haymarket MBTA station, and has successfully raised all money needed to complete construction of the market, which will open in summer 2015.

The 28,000-square-foot Market will house over 40 permanent, year-round vendors selling locally produced items such as farm fresh produce; meat and poultry; cheese; fish and shellfish; bread and baked goods; flowers; and an assortment of specialty and prepared foods. The new civic institution was funded through an innovative public-private partnership between the the Boston Public Market Association, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, individual contributors, and several leading philanthropic organizations.

“I can’t think of a better location to have a public market than along the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Our investment in the Boston Public Market creates a place where rural farmers and urban families, financial workers and fishermen, brewers and bee keepers can come together in a new civic institution where we all share the bounty of our state.”

"The Boston Public Market has been a dream of this city for nearly two decades, and today it's becoming a reality thanks to our partners across government and in the community," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "This market will transform a vacant space in the heart of downtown into a locally sourced vibrant public market - showcasing Boston's local food industry, protecting and creating jobs, and improving fresh and healthy food access and education in the community."

The Market will span the ground floor of 136 Blackstone Street, which also contains the Boston RMV branch, entrances to the Haymarket MBTA station, vent stacks for the Interstate-93 tunnel, and a parking garage. The Market is located in downtown Boston’s emerging Market District, next to the Haymarket pushcart vendors and the historic Blackstone Block. The architect for the project is Architerra, a Boston-based design firm, and construction is being done by Lee Kennedy Company.

“Today’s groundbreaking would not be possible without the generous support of the state and the commitment of over $9 million in private philanthropy,” said Elizabeth Morningstar, CEO of the Boston Public Market. “Our funders see the Public Market as an essential way to create a new civic institution in Boston that helps to preserve agricultural land outside of the city; provides economic opportunity for local, small businesses; increases access to fresh, local, foods; and promotes the wellness of our community. New England has the strongest direct farm-to-table market in the country, and the time has come for Boston to have its own public market.”

The Market’s founders include the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, the John W. Henry Family Foundation, Holly and David Bruce, the Manton Foundation, The Trustees of Reservations, and the generous support of an undisclosed benefactor.

Since 2007 Massachusetts’ participation in community supported agriculture (CSA) has nearly doubled and agri-tourism sales have grown 127%.  While nationally the U.S. witnessed a decline in agriculture from 2007 to 2012, Massachusetts was one of the few states that experienced growth in both number of farms and acres of farmland.  Many, including the national conservation organization the Conservation Fund, which stepped forward with $3 million in financing are attracted to the Boston Public Market for the opportunity it creates to support this trend.

"The Boston Public Market will provide healthy food while supporting a healthy economy, which is a win-win for everyone," said Ole Amundsen of The Conservation Fund. "The Conservation Fund has invested over $20 million into helping conserve not only farmland but also the agricultural heritage of farming families across Massachusetts, and the Boston Public Market will give them an important gateway for selling their products and produce directly to consumers right in the downtown."

The Trustees of Reservations is the lead programming partner for the Market and will manage and staff its outreach and programming functions, including a teaching kitchen. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the Market’s Health and Wellness Partner, will provide content for health and wellness programming and help launch an initiative to help lower-income families access the Market's selection of fresh, local, and nutritious foods.

“As the official programming arm of the Boston Public Market, we are excited to celebrate this important milestone for the Market,” says Barbara Erickson, President and CEO of The Trustees of Reservations. “We look forward to sharing our expertise in the areas of food, nutrition and farming with programs that will help to facilitate healthy connections to locally grown food, furthering our mission to connect people to place.”

“We share the Boston Public Market and Trustees commitment to a healthy Massachusetts,” said Andrew Dreyfus, President and CEO of Blue Cross. “We are pleased to be a part of this new endeavor, as it reflects our commitment to the community and the health and wellness of children and families.”
“The Boston Public Market will be a great opportunity for local food producers to expand their businesses by providing access to the general public,” said Jared Auerbach, CEO of Boston seafood vendor Red’s Best. “Too often the story of our food is clouded by excessive layers in the supply chain. The Public Market will connect the dots and be a stage to educate consumers about the food we produce.”

“Boston needs a place where residents can consistently find fresh, healthy, affordable local food,” said Allston resident Glenn Berger. “I enjoy eating locally produced food because it is always fresh and delicious. By eating with the seasons, I know the food I enjoy is real and fresh picked the day I eat it! The Boston Public Market will give Boston residents access to fresh, local food year-round.”

The Boston Public Market will be a permanent, year-round, self-sustaining market featuring fresh locally-sourced food brought directly to and from the diverse people that make up Massachusetts and New England. The market’s permanent, indoor location on the Greenway directly above the Haymarket MBTA station is slated to open next year. The Boston Public Market currently runs two seasonal farmers markets each year along the Rose Kennedy Greenway, featuring over 30 local producers. For more information and to follow the progress of the market, visit us at www.bostonpublicmarket.org.

The Boston Public Market will be a permanent, year-round, self-sustaining market featuring fresh locally-sourced food brought directly to and from the diverse people that make up Massachusetts and New England. The market’s permanent, indoor location on the Greenway directly above the Haymarket MBTA station is slated to open next year. The Boston Public Market currently runs two seasonal farmers markets each year along the Rose Kennedy Greenway, featuring over 30 local producers. For more information and to follow the progress of the market, visit us at www.bostonpublicmarket.org.

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