Locavore: Eat local (on your way home)

By Erica Noonan, Globe Staff

No time to stop at a farmer's market? The state Department of Transportation will bring one to your commute.

Beginning, Friday, May 20 local vendors and farmers will be selling their wares along Massachusetts highways, including the Mass.Turnpike.

From 10 a.m to 4 p.m. a handful of local vendors will be at the Charlton and Framingham service plazas, and state officials hope many more will take advantage of free space at 11 rest stops along I-90, and 7 new locations along various Massachusetts highways.

The agency said it has contacted 300 Massachusetts farmers, inviting them to sell their home-grown produce and made-in-Massachusetts products at Pike locations in Lee, Blandford, Ludlow, Charlton, Westborough, Framingham and Natick. 

Space is also available at seven other roadside locations in Newton, Lexington and Beverly along Route 128/I-95.  Other locations include Bridgewater (north & southbound) on Route 24, Plymouth (Route 3), and Barnstable (Route 6), the agency said.

Farmers and vendors can sell any goods that do not compete with the businesses that operate within the service plazas.

Local farmers who want more information are asked to contact Dave Fenton at dave.fenton@state.ma.us or 413-572-3171.

(Photo of 2010 market above courtesy of DOT)

Locavore is a new Your Town blog about local eating and gardening. To get your event or issue featured, email information and hi-res photos to enoonan@globe.com