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This photo from the archives of the Springfield Museums, shows how Growers Outlet looked in the early 1930s.
Prime photo courtesy Springfield Museum Archives

Growers’ Outlet

Remembering the city’s indoor Farmers’ Market

Editor’s Note: This month we welcome another of the occasional columns about life in Springfield during her youth by former monthly Prime columnist Jane O’Donoghue.

By Jane D. O’Donoghue
Special to Prime

     The growth of today’s Farmers’ Markets recalls one I often went to in  the late 1930’s.

     This was The Growers’ Outlet, a very large building  situated on Main Street in Springfield, just south of the Carew Street intersection.

     The warehouse space held counters, bins, tables, and specially  designated areas for the sale of produce by individual local vendors.

      Each vendor either owned or rented their section.

      Perhaps once a month in season, an uncle and aunt from Feeding Hills would come to Springfield with their young children. The plan was, to shop for local fruits and vegetables at affordable prices.

     My job, at about 10 years old, was to go early in the day to visit a friendly  neighbor and ask to use her phone. A call to my aunt confirmed they indeed were coming that day to pick up my mother. My older sister Catherine was designated as the baby sitter for the younger cousins and siblings, and I was allowed to join the grown-ups to help with the shopping.

      Walking through the space we viewed a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. These were for sale by the bushel, half bushel, or by the pound. Potatoes were sold by the 50-pound bag or smaller. Tomatoes, peaches and apples came in half bushel baskets and we delighted eating the fruit in our hand once we were home. Any greens were snatched up by my mother and small bags of onions were usually included.

     Some meats were presented too, although not necessarily on my mother’s  list.

     The larger amounts such as baskets full of various produce were divided between my mother and aunt back at the house. Baked goods also filled space on counter tops, and one vendor sold chocolate-covered marshmallow cookies, luring anyone with extra cash.

     After the shopping was completed, my uncle drove to Magaziner’s Bakery

close by and ordered an Italian cold cut sandwich. This was probably the largest loaf in the shop and was generously loaded with meat, vegetables, and some kind of dressing. I speculate these were the forerunner of today’s grinders.

     To complete the order, he purchased a dozen freshly made spice doughnuts for dessert that evening.

     When the orders were stowed away, we settled in and my uncle cut the  huge sandwich into servings for everyone. He also produced a bottle of homemade wine for the adults.

     We sat at the round kitchen table  enjoying the food and each other’s company.

     Later ,the young ones were put to bed and we older kids played cards with aunt, uncle and my mother into the evening. When it was time to return to Feeding Hills, the younger cousins were awakened and carried half asleep to the car  for the ride home.               This is one of my lasting memories because of the time shopping, the special treats and being included in the card games with the big people.

Jane D. O’Donoghue is a Hungry Hill native and retired school librarian, In addition to being a regular columnist for Prime until 2016, her writing has appeared in local and regional publications.