Hampden Bank’s West Springfield office to host farmer’s market

SPRINGFIELD – The Town of West Springfield has given the green light to a weekly Farmer’s Market to be hosted by Hampden Bank at their 220 Westfield Street branch office. This marks the bank’s third farmer’s market location including those in Wilbraham and Indian Orchard. The West Springfield market will be held every Tuesday from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM from May through October. The event has a twofold objective: first, to help support local farmers, and second; to help satisfy a desire expressed by both bank customers and residents to have more convenient access to locally grown goods.
“We appreciate the support of the Planning Board and others in the town toward helping us get this off the ground”, said Rick DeBonis, Senior Vice President at Hampden Bank. “Everyone has been positive about this initiative and we’re very pleased. As a local community bank we know the importance of supporting the local economy. Our neighborhood farmers represent a key component of that economy and we need to support them 100%”, DeBonis added.
In 2008 the first Hampden Bank Farmer’s Market opened at the bank’s Wilbraham office at 2005 Boston Road, and last year the bank opened their second market at their Indian Orchard office at 187 Main Street. Both venues have been well received. According to planners the season-long market schedule is as follows: West Springfield — Tuesdays, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM; Wilbraham — Wednesdays, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Indian Orchard – Fridays, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Hampden Bank, in partnership with the Pioneer Valley Growers Coop will host the weekly events through mid-October. Local farmers and like vendors who wish to participate should contact either Glenroy Buchanan of the Pioneer Valley Growers Co-op at 413-586-6947, or Amy Scribner at Hampden bank at 413-452-5118.