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:

Backyard Bison (Oakmont: bison)
Birchrun Hills Farm (Bryn Mawr: pork, veal)
Canter Hill Farm (Bryn Mawr: chicken, lamb)
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 and Bryn Mawr: beef)
Daryl Rineer (Rittenhouse Tuesday and Saturday, South & Passyunk, Chestnut Hill, and Jefferson: beef, eggs)

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.

Markets closed for the season, except Suburban Station and Rittenhouse.

Tuesdays

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

South & Passyunk Farmers' Market
Location: Off South Street just east of 5th Street
Products: Organic & IPM fruits & vegetables - mushrooms - beef, pork & eggs from pastured animals - organic bread - cut & potted flowers
Hours: 2:30 to 7 pm

Suburban Station Farmers' Market
Location: 16th Street Concourse between Market and JFK near the 16th Street elevator
Products: IPM fruits & vegetables - beef & eggs from pastured animals
Hours: 2:30 to 6:30 pm
Starting November 5, market is open on Thursdays instead of Tuesdays. The market will operate through the winter and is also a Winter Harvest pickup location.

Wednesdays

University Square Farmers' Market
Location: 36th at Walnut Street
Products: Conventional vegetables - IPM fruit & berries - dairy products from pastured animals - Amish canned & baked goods - European-style baked goods - cut flowers
Hours: 10 am to 2 pm
Local partner: University of Pennsylvania

City Hall Farmers' Market
Location: In the middle of City Hall square, go inside City Hall Courtyard and take a look.
Products: Fruits and vegetables from McCanns Farm, Teens4Good, and the Community Baptist Church Farm - cut flowers grown by Triple Tree Farm - sandwiches, iced drinks & cookies from Mugshots Coffeehouse & Café - and baked goods by La Baguette
Hours: 11 am to 3 pm
Local partners: City of Philadelphia and Penn State Extension

Fountain Farmers' Market
Location: East Passyunk Avenue at 11th and Tasker Streets
Products: IPM fruits & vegetables - meat from pastured animals - baked goods - cut flowers in July
Hours: 3 to 7 pm
Local partner: East Passyunk Business Improvement District

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

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

Thursdays

New Day!
Suburban Station Farmers' Market
Location: 16th Street Concourse between Market and JFK near the 16th Street elevator
Products: IPM fruits & vegetables - beef & eggs from pastured animals
Hours: 2:30 to 6:30 pm
Starting November 5, market is open on Thursdays instead of Tuesdays. The market will operate through the winter and is also a Winter Harvest pickup location.

Jefferson Farmers' Market
Location: On Chestnut Street east of 10th Street
Products: IPM fruits & vegetables - beef & eggs from pastured animals - jams & baked goods - bread
Hours: 11 am to 3:30 pm
Local sponsor: Jefferson Hospital

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

Fridays

Roxborough Farmers' Market
Location: Ridge Avenue at entrance to Leverington Avenue parking lot
Products: Fruits & vegetables - eggs - Amish canned products & baked goods - crafts
Hours: 2 to 6 pm; June 5 to October 30

East Falls Farmers' Market
Location: Midvale Avenue near Ridge Avenue
Products: Fruits & vegetables - eggs - Amish canned products & baked goods
Hours: 3:30 to 7 pm; June 5 - October 30
Local partner: East Falls CDC

Saturdays

Rittenhouse Farmers' Market
Location: Walnut Street (south sidewalk), west of 18th Street
Products: Fruits & vegetables grown following a variety of sustainable methods - mushrooms - artisan cheeses from cow as well as goat's milk - beef, pork & eggs from pastured animals - dairy from pastured animals - regular and gluten-free bread - artisan chocolate made in Philadelphia - cut flowers
Hours: 9:30 am to 3 pm
Year-round market! Hours are 10 am - 2 pm starting November 28

Chestnut Hill Growers Market
Location: Winston Road between Germantown Avenue and Mermaid Lane
Products: Organic & IPM vegetables - IPM tree fruit - dairy products from pastured goats - beef & eggs from pastured animals - cut & potted flowers
Hours: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Manayunk Farmers' Market
Location: Canal View Park on Main Street, near Gay Street
Products: Organic vegetables grown at Saul Agricultural High School, 1 mile from market site - canned goods - flowers - organic bread
Hours: 10 am to 2 pm

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

Bryn Mawr Farmers' Market
Location: Municipal Lot 7 on Lancaster Avenue, in front of the Bryn Mawr train station, across from Ludington Library
Products: Organic & IPM vegetables - IPM fruit - artisan cheeses from cow as well as goat milk - European-style and gluten-free baked goods - plants
Hours: 10 am to 2 pm

View on a map to find a farmers market near you!

This page was updated on December 10, 2009 by jrp