Farmers' Markets

Philadelphia

Urban market places are as old as civilization and played an important role in the formation of cities and the civic life of their citizens. Today, outdoor seasonal farmers' markets reflect these origins by providing a civilized and democratic gathering place for people to meet and purchase agricultural products from the region. More and more families and culinary professionals realize the importance of locally grown food for the health of their family members and customers, for the survival of family farms, for the preservation of farmland and open space, and for the security of the region's food supply. For these reasons, more and more families are shopping at farmers' markets.

GLOSSARY

Note the term IPM used to describe the fruits and vegetables available at some of the markets. IPM stands for Integrated Pest Management. The National IPM Network defines IPM practice as "a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks."

Also note the references to pastured animals. When cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, and other animals are allowed to eat their natural diet - grass, bugs, and other organisms in a field - they produce superior quality meat, eggs, and milk. The farmers who raise their livestock on pasture typically do not feed them antibiotics nor inject them with hormones. Research shows that meat, eggs, and dairy products from grassfed animals have higher omega-3 fatty acids, more favorable omega-3 to omega-6 ratios, and lower cholesterol than the poor beasts stuffed with corn in feed-lots. They are healthy animals and the products made from them are better for people. The farmers who offer these products at our markets are:

Tom Forrest (Swarthmore: beef and pork, eggs. His products also sold at the Fountain market, by Berry Patch Produce.)
Hill Acres Pride (Oakmont market: beef, lamb & pork)
Daniel Landis (Chestnut Hill: beef)
Axel Linde (Oakmont: chicken)
Dwayne Livengood (South & Passyunk: beef)
Daryl Rineer (Rittenhouse Tuesday and Saturday, South & Passyunk, Chestnut Hill, and Jefferson: beef, eggs)
Rod Wieder (Oakmont: bison)

Please support these farmers and enjoy high-quality meat that is not a product of the industrial food system.

MARKETS FOR THE 2009 SEASON

REAL FARMERS, REAL FOOD!!!

This season Farm to City operates 16 farmers' markets including 13 established markets and three new markets in Manayunk, Bryn Mawr, and Suburban Station. In addition to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, many of the markets feature meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products from pastured animals. Our list also includes a former affiliate market in Havertown and an affiliate market operated by the West Girard Community Council.

All markets are now open for the season!

Tuesdays

Rittenhouse Farmers' Market
Walnut Street (south sidewalk), west of 18th St.
IPM fruits and vegetables; mushrooms; beef and eggs from pastured animals; cut and potted flowers.
10 am to 1 pm

South & Passyunk Farmers' Market
Off South Street just east of 5th
Organic and IPM fruits and vegetables; mushrooms; beef, pork, and eggs from pastured animals; organic bread; cut and potted flowers.
3 to 7 pm

Suburban Station Farmers' Market
16th Street Concourse between Market and JFK near the 16th St. elevator
IPM fruits and vegetables; beef and eggs from pastured animals.
2:30 to 6:30 pm

Wednesdays

City Hall Farmers' Market
in the middle of City Hall square, go inside and take a look.
11 am to 3 pm

University Square Farmers' Market
36th at Walnut St.
Conventional vegetables; IPM fruit and berries; dairy products from pastured animals; Amish canned and baked goods; European-style baked goods; cut flowers.
10 am to 2 pm
Local partner is the University of Pennsylvania.

Fountain Farmers' Market
East Passyunk Ave., at 11th St. and Tasker St.
IPM fruits and vegetables; meat from pastured animals; baked goods. Cut flowers in July.
3 - 7 pm
Local partner is the East Passyunk Business Improvement District.

Oakmont Farmers' Market (Havertown)
Oakmont Municipal Parking Lot, Darby Road just west of Eagle Road.
3 - 7 pm
A former Farm to City Affiliate Market; please visit its website for more information.

Girard & 27th Farm Stand Market
Fruits and vegetables
10 am - 1 pm
A Farm to City Affiliate Market; the West Girard Community Council is the local sponsor and market operator.

Thursdays

Weavers Way Farmers' Market
Carpenter Lane and Greene Street in front of High Point Cafe
Fruits and vegetables; Amish canned and baked goods; potted plants. The Weavers Way Farm at Awbury Arboretum attends this market.
3 to 7 pm
Local sponsor is Weavers Way Co-op.

Jefferson Farmers' Market
On Chestnut Street east of 10th Street.
IPM fruits and vegetables; beef and eggs from pastured animals; jams and baked goods; bread.
11 am to 3:30 pm
Local sponsor is Jefferson Hospital.

Fridays

Roxborough Farmers' Market
Ridge Avenue at entrance to Leverington Avenue parking lot.
Fruits and vegetables, eggs, Amish canned products and baked goods, and crafts.
2 to 6 pm; June 5 - October 30.

East Falls Farmers' Market
Midvale Avenue near Ridge Avenue.
Fruits and vegetables, eggs, Amish canned products and baked goods.
3:30 to 7 pm; June 5 - October 30.
Local partner is the East Falls CDC.

Saturdays

Rittenhouse Farmers' Market. Closed July 4th
Walnut Street (south sidewalk), west of 18th St.
Fruits and vegetables grown following a variety of sustainable methods; mushrooms; cow's-milk and goat's-milk artisan cheeses; beef, pork and eggs from pastured animals; dairy from pastured animals (2nd & 4th weekends); regular and gluten-free bread; artisan chocolate made in Philadelphia; cut flowers.
9:30 am to 3 pm

Chestnut Hill Growers Market. Closed July 4th
Winston Road between Germantown Avenue and Mermaid Lane.
Organic and IPM vegetables; IPM tree fruit; dairy products from pastured goats; beef and eggs from pastured animals; cut and potted flowers.
9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Manayunk Farmers' Market. Closed July 4th
Canal View Park on Main St., near Gay St.
Organic vegetables grown at Saul Agricultural High School, 1 mile from market site; dairy products from pastured goats; organic bread.
10 am to 2 pm

Swarthmore Farmers' Market
In front of the Swarthmore Co-op
Vegetables grown following a variety of sustainable methods; IPM fruit; mushrooms; beef, pork, and eggs from grassfed animals; prepared foods from community businesses; potted plants; soap.
9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Local partner is the Swarthmore Town Center Program.

Bryn Mawr Farmers' Market. Closed July 4th
Municipal Lot 7 on Lancaster Ave., in front of the Bryn Mawr train station. (Across from Ludington Library.)
10 am to 2 pm
Organic and IPM vegetables; IPM fruit; cow's-milk and goat's-milk artisan cheeses; European-style and gluten-free baked goods. Visit the website for more information.

This page was updated on July 2, 2009 by bp