Plan Ahead to Eat Local this Thanksgiving

As you start planning your Thanksgiving menu, consider sourcing as much as possible from your local farmers market. Boston area shoppers can visit Copley, Central, and Davis Farmers Markets during Thanksgiving week (see dates and times below). Shopping locally is a great way to bring fresh, seasonal ingredients to your holiday table while enjoying the quality, flavor, and care that come from knowing where your food is grown and produced.

It's also an important time to support Massachusetts farmers as they make their final push to sell their fall harvest before the markets close for the season. From fresh vegetables and locally raised meats to artisan breads, cheeses, apples, and cranberries, our markets offer plenty of ingredients to make your Thanksgiving meal special while keeping your food dollars close to home.

Looking for inspiration for your Thanksgiving menu? Here are a few ideas using ingredients you can find at the markets:

  • Roasted root vegetables: Pick up carrots, parsnips, beets, and potatoes to roast with fresh herbs and olive oil.

  • Maple-glazed Brussels sprouts: Toss locally grown Brussels sprouts with Massachusetts maple syrup, olive oil, and toasted nuts.

  • Butternut squash soup: Find winter squash, onions, garlic, and fresh herbs for a warming holiday starter.

  • Homemade stuffing: Use fresh artisan bread, onions, celery, mushrooms, and herbs for a seasonal stuffing.

  • Mashed potatoes: Source locally grown potatoes and add fresh garlic and herbs for a holiday classic.

  • Roasted squash salad: Combine roasted delicata or butternut squash with local greens, apples, cranberries, and toasted nuts.

  • Fresh cranberry sauce: Pick up cranberries and Massachusetts maple syrup for a homemade alternative to canned cranberry sauce.

  • Local apple crisp: Bring home Massachusetts apples, oats, maple syrup, and cinnamon for an easy Thanksgiving dessert.

  • Seasonal cheese board: Build a local appetizer spread with artisan cheeses, fresh apples, pears, bread, and locally made preserves.

Order & Pick Up Your Thanksgiving Turkey from an MFM Market

  • Copicut Farms | Central Square Farmers Market: Order a pasture-raised Thanksgiving turkey from Copicut Farms for pickup at Central Square on Monday, November 23, 12–6 p.m. Reserve your turkey. Copicut notes that fresh turkeys are available for pickup the week before Thanksgiving.

  • Copicut Farms | Davis Square Farmers Market: Order a pasture-raised Thanksgiving turkey for pickup at Davis Square on Wednesday, November 25, 12–6 p.m. Reserve your turkey.

  • Stillman Quality Meats | Copley Square Farmers Market: Order a fresh, pasture-raised Thanksgiving turkey from Stillman Quality Meats for pickup at Copley Square on Tuesday, November 24, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Choose from traditional and heritage turkeys, with options for whole birds or individual cuts. Browse holiday turkeys and place your order

Visit Your MFM Market on Thanksgiving Week

Make plans to visit one of our three markets before Thanksgiving:

  • Central Square Farmers Market: Monday, November 23, 12–6 p.m.

  • Copley Square Farmers Market: Tuesday, November 24, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

  • Davis Square Farmers Market: Wednesday, November 25, 12–6 p.m.

We hope you'll make shopping local part of your Thanksgiving tradition. Thank you for supporting the farmers, food producers, and small businesses that make our markets possible!

Sarah Moser