Massachusetts Agricultural Highlights, 1 988 



VEGETABLES 



ACREAGE: 18,728 TOTAL - 16,100 (vegetables) 2,628 (potatoes) 



FARMS PRODUCING: 1,008 (vegetables) 93 (potatoes) 



MARKET OUTLETS: Although a portion of vegetable production, mainly potatoes and cucumbers, 



reaches the process market, the largest portion is sold to the fresh market. 

 Fresh market outlets include roadside stands, farmers' markets, grower 

 cooperatives, restaurants, supermarkets and wholesale brokers. 



Key Vegetable Growing Areas 



Upper Connecticut Valley - (Franklin and Hampshire counties) over 5,000 acres are cultivated in bottom 

 land of the valley. The communities of Hadley, Hatfield, Whately and Deerfield delineate the core of this 

 producing area. Major crops are potatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers, squashes, cabbage and onions. A portion of 

 the potato and cucumber crop is produced for the process market. 



Lower Connecticut Valley - (Hampden County) communities surrounding metropolitan Springfield 

 cultivate nearly 2,000 acres. A large portion of the acreage lies in Agawam, Southwick and Westfield. 



Southeastern Massachusetts - primarily Bristol and parts of Plymouth counties. Between the metropolitan 

 regional markets of Boston and Providence, Rhode Island over 4,500 acres are cultivated in vegetables for the 

 fresh market. Production clusters in communities near Dighton and Taunton. Major crops are sweet corn, 

 butternut squash, pumpkins, beans, peppers and tomatoes. 



Northeastern Massachusetts - (Essex, Middlesex, and eastern Worcester counties) over 3,500 acres are 

 cultivated. Vegetable cultivation in this area is more randomly scattered and less pronounced than in other key 

 areas, although Methuen, Concord, and Northborough are important growing sites. Growers emphasize sweet 

 corn, pumpkins and salad crops and market primarily through roadside stands. 



Major Vegetables Cultivated 



Percent of Total Vegetable Acres 



Sweet corn 44% 



Squashes 11% 



White potatoes 14% 



Pumpkins 6% 



Peppers 4% 



Cucumber 3% 



Tomatoes 3% 



Other 15% 



Sources: Massachusetts Department of Food and Agnculture and 1987 Census of Agricuture, United States Department of Commerce. 



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