Swampscott Farmers' Market Opens to a Steady Flow

Fresh local fish and lobster are back. So is ice cream. But the fish and ice cream vendors are different.

There were a couple differences between this year's opening day at the Swampscott Farmers' Market and last year's — the major difference being business flow. 

"It went great," said Kimberley Fillenworth of the market's committee. "Everyone was saying, 'The consistent flow was great.'"

She estimated between 300-500 visitors on the day. A count around 10:30 came up with 150 visitors. 

Last year on opening day customers mobbed the market and vendors were sold out by 10:30 a.m.

Fast forward to yesterday and the vendors sold well but their products held out as a nice steady flow of customers arrived through the morning and midday.

At the very end of the market, shortly before 1 p.m., Nina McIntosh of John Crow Farm, said they had sold out of kale, Swiss chard, eggs, sorrel, turnips and skirt steak but still had a variety of lettuce and collards and meat.

Cindy Bishop of Rowand's Seafood in Beverly sold out of their fresh lobster rolls but still had cod and and other fish.

The wild Alaskan salmon, local flounder, native sea scallops and native swordfish all sold well, she said.

Lindsay Gotts of Connors Farm in Danvers sold out of strawberries but had hanging flower baskets remaining.

They sold well, too. More than 20 of the Connors baskets are likely gracing homes around Swampscott today.

If you were looking for sweet treats. There were plenty to be found on the grounds.

The Cannoli Corner had satisfied customers as did the Cookie Monstah.

Monstah owners serve ice cream sandwiches from their custom truck. The cookies are homemade. The ice cream is Richardsons. Good stuff.

Try the peanut butter cookies and chocolate ice cream if you are a choco/nut person.

The market opens each Sunday at 10 a.m. and closes at 1 p.m.