Letter: Westford Farmers Market: Blog Post was 'Erroneous'

By Zac Cataldo/Sustainable Westford Board Member

I would like to respond to this very erroneous and one sided “article” about the Westford Farmers Market. I felt like we owed our supporters the opportunity to hear our side. It's never easy when there is a parting of ways and we appreciate the passionate response from the community.

Springdell Farms absence from the upcoming seasons market is not, and is not intended to be, an indictment of Springdell Farm or the WFM. Springdell Farms reputation and quality speaks for itself.

Last fall Springdell Farm and the WFM mutually agreed not to come to the WFM this season. They suggested their replacement, a young farmer friend of theirs, Spiczka Farm, could take Springdell's spot selling produce. Spiczka Farm agreed to take their place at the market. All was good among the parties as far as we knew. Then this March, Springdell suggested to become the Meat vendor (selling only meat rather than produce), however we did not get the application until March 27 by which point the WFM had started sourcing replacement meat vendors. The WFM had to make a difficult decision and we wanted to offer the patrons of the market a new provider with a wide variety of offerings and sustainable agriculture practices.  Even after the decision to bring in Spiczka Farm was made, the WFM reached out to Springdell Farms and offered them to return to the market and that offer was not accepted.

While we will all miss Springdell Farms participation in the market, we ask that you keep an open mind and give our new vendors a chance. Thank you for shopping WFM and we hope to see you this season.