The first Partners Winter Market of the season opened from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Veterans' Memorial Auditorium at 72 Bank Street on November 17, 2012. The market featured local vendors offering cheese, bread, oatmeal and honey, in addition to a nice selection of greens and winter vegetables. "People don't realize that there are still lots of fresh vegetables available at this time of year," commented Partners Community Health and Well-being manager Annemarie Sharkey. "While most expect root vegetables and squash, Urban Acres, an indoor farm that uses hydroponics, solar panels, grow lights and chemical-free pesticides in the Durfee Mills complex, will be offering fresh greens," she added. The event also featured live music by the Nuevo Duo band and a raffle drawing for a terrific basket full of winter food offerings. Click here for a 90-second video. Click here and here for Herald News articles. Click here for a photos of last season's markets. Call Annemarie Sharkey at 508-679-0922 for more information.

(Top row, left) Seven Hills Marketing Liaison Dawn Nardi arrives at the market with three-year-old Victoria as Partners Community Health and Well-being manager Annemarie Sharkey exchanges market tokens with credit and debit cards. (Top row, center) Members of the Nuevo Duo band play easy listening tunes for the shoppers. (Top row, right) School Committee member Mark Costa and his wife, daughter and friend look over the offerings at the Foxboro Cheese table. (Middle row, left) Beth Gallo of Mad Hectic Foods talks with Susan Wood from  Apponagansett Farm who is selling maple syrup along with greens. (Middle row, center) A basket filled with selected items will be raffled off at each market. (Middle row, right) Barbara Peters of Bar-Ken Crafts displays homemade soaps. (Bottom row) Charlie Peixe of Paradise Hill Farm in Wesport talks to Bill and Vivian Camara of Swansea and shows Mary Harrington some of the herbs he has for sale.