MANCHESTER, NH – For Brittany Boles, bringing a farmers market back to Manchester began with a simple question.
Why didn’t New Hampshire’s largest city have one?
The answer launched what she describes as a two-year journey involving permits, partnerships, vendor recruitment and countless hours of volunteer effort before the Manchester Farmers Market finally opened last week at Arms Park.
“It’s shocking that Manchester didn’t have a farmers market,” Boles said. “When I found out there wasn’t one, I thought, we need to start that up again.”
The market, held Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. at Arms Park, marks the return of a community farmers market to Manchester for the first time since 2019.
The market is unusual in one respect: In addition to cash, credit cards and other traditional forms of payment, participating vendors agree to accept SilverBitz, fractional silver pieces produced by Local Silver Mint. The company distributes the pieces at the market and views the initiative as part of a broader effort to encourage the use of precious metals in everyday commerce.
Local Silver Mint is underwriting much of the market’s startup costs, including staffing, permits, marketing and event infrastructure. Boles says the market serves both as a community gathering place and a demonstration site for SilverBitz, which can be exchanged with participating vendors alongside traditional currency.
While the market serves as a showcase for SilverBitz, Boles said her primary motivation remains community building and food access. After years working in nonprofit and public health initiatives, she viewed the absence of a farmers market in Manchester as a gap worth addressing.
Boles’ path to becoming a market organizer was anything but traditional.
Her background spans decades of nonprofit work, including clean water initiatives, arts programming, youth activities, mental health and wellness programs, and food access advocacy. While working with Granite United Way, she became involved with the Manchester Food Access Coalition, where conversations frequently centered on improving access to fresh food in the city.
Manchester’s lack of a farmers market stood out.
“I would love to take it on,” she recalled telling coalition members.
But enthusiasm alone wasn’t enough.
Boles said multiple efforts stalled due to limited organizational capacity and competing priorities. Committees formed and dissolved. Alternative ideas emerged. The concept repeatedly failed to gain traction. Despite support from coalition members and community partners, no organization was in a position to take ownership of the project.
Still, she persisted.
Among those encouraging the effort was Erik Lesniak of the Manchester Economic Development Office, who became one of Boles’ early sounding boards as she explored what would be required to launch a market.
“He said it would take money, permits and willpower,” Boles recalled.
Lesniak said Boles never lost sight of the goal.
“Over the past two years, Brittany has dedicated countless hours to researching, planning, building partnerships and bringing this vision to life,” Lesniak said. “I am incredibly grateful for her commitment and all she has done to create this opportunity for our residents, businesses, visitors and local vendors.”
Eventually, a new opportunity emerged through Local Silver Mint, a Manchester-area company that hired Boles to lead marketing and community engagement initiatives. During discussions about charitable and community-focused projects, Boles proposed reviving the farmers market.
The company agreed to support the idea.
According to Boles, Local Silver Mint has invested significant resources into launching the market, covering expenses ranging from staffing and advertising to permitting and operational costs. With support secured, Boles and Market Manager Lauren Noone moved quickly to turn years of planning into reality.
Vendor recruitment began in earnest this spring. Applications started arriving. A website and social media presence were launched. Logistics ranging from electrical service to portable restrooms were coordinated.
Within roughly three months, the market was ready.
The market opened with approximately 21 vendors and drew an estimated 400 visitors, according to Boles. Organizers see plenty of room for growth, with space for as many as 30 vendors in the current layout and the potential to expand further in the future.
For Boles, the market represents more than a place to buy produce or handmade goods. It is the realization of an idea that survived years of setbacks, organizational hurdles and false starts.
For Lesniak, it is also a new asset for downtown Manchester.
The market creates an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to connect directly with customers while bringing additional activity to Arms Park and the surrounding area.
The June 11 market will feature produce from Fresh Start Farms, meats from Bardo Farm, baked goods from Two Little Loaves and Ahavah Bread, prepared foods from Stark Food Truck and Konky’s Creative Kitchen, fresh desserts from Delicias Fresas & Sweets, herbal products from Wood Shack Juices of New England, locally brewed beer from Stark Brewing Co. and Prodigal Brewing, and a variety of artisans offering handcrafted candles, natural body products, stained glass art, crocheted creations, face painting and more.
Musician Jessica Songbird is scheduled to perform during the market, adding to what organizers hope will become a weekly community gathering next to the river in the heart of the city.
Boles hopes the market ultimately becomes a place where residents can shop locally, meet their neighbors and support small businesses while improving access to fresh food and locally made products.
As shoppers browsed vendor booths last week, she reflected on the long road from idea to reality. What began as a side project has become one of Manchester’s newest community traditions.
And after two years of persistence, the market she once feared might never happen is finally bringing people together every Wednesday afternoon at Arms Park.
VENDOR LIST:
- Fresh Start Farms – market produce
- Bardo Farm – beef, pork, salamis
- Two Little Loaves – mini sourdough loaves & baked goods
- Ahavah Bread – organic sourdough breads
- Stark Food Truck – variety of meals Konky’s Creative Kitchen – ethnic hot meals & spice rubs
- Delicias Fresas & Sweets – fresh fruity desserts
- Wood Shack Juices of New England – herbal syrups, spreads, gifts
- Mama Shug’s Freeze Dried Candy – freeze dried fruit, veggies, pickles, and candy
- Stark Brewing Co. – locally brewed beers
- Prodigal Brewing – locally brewed beers
- Stay Golden Tallow – body and lip balms
- Sacred Lore – candles, home cleaning products, natural body products
- Wicked Craft Creations – crocheted items, 3D printed items, art
- Sunset Luna Art – stained glass items
- Local Silver Mint – fractional silver
- Glitter & Gore – face painting & balloon art