Local Farmers Market Update

A quick read of the report on my most recent meal at Talula’s Table will reveal the wealth of early spring produce that was already breaking ground nearly a month ago here in the Philadelphia area. It takes a while, though, for the volume and diversity of produce availability to reach the critical mass necessary to fuel the opening of farmers market season in this part of the country.

Mid-season 2007 at the Headhouse Farmers Market.
Given the population density from which to draw and the diversity of its participating vendors, the Headhouse Farmers Market has already found its critical mass. Opening day celebrations for the year were held yesterday under the Shambles at Headhouse Square, the market’s historical location at 2nd & Lombard Streets in Philadelphia’s Society Hill/South Street neighborhood. Held every Sunday from 10am to 2pm, now through the end of the year, Headhouse is the largest local producer only farmers market in the greater Philadelphia area. If the mention of Talula’s Table above seemed random, it wasn’t; they are one of this year’s new vendors. Joining cornerstone producers from last year such as Weavers Way Farm, Griggstown Quail Farm and Birchrun Hills Farm Cheese, I expect they’ll help to make the market an even greater draw than last year for food savvy shoppers from throughout the region. I wasn’t able to make it to yesterday’s festivities but I’ll certainly visit throughout the year to supplement the goodies available at my own neighborhood market.


The Dearolf's of Blueberry Hill Farm and the Kirchner's of North Star Orchard will return to anchor the 2008 season at the Oakmont Farmers Market.
After some typical first year jitters and a dash of local political shenanigans, I’m excited to announce that my neighborhood market, the Oakmont Farmers Market, has indeed been approved for its second year. Actually, I’m way late in making this announcement as all of the necessary permits were granted months ago. At this point, I’m actually anticipating the rapid approach of opening day, Wednesday, May 21. The market’s location in the Oakmont municipal parking lot, near the intersection of Darby and Eagle Roads in Havertown, PA, is unchanged. And as last year, the market will be open every Wednesday, starting in a couple of weeks and running straight through to Thanksgiving. The only change – one made at the suggestion of both the participating farmers and many of the market’s shoppers – will be to the seasonal hours. From May 21 through August 27, the market hours will remain 3:00pm to 7:00pm, the same as last year. This season however, as daylight hours begin to wane, market hours will fall back to 2:00pm through 6:00pm, beginning on September 3 and running straight through to closing day on November 26. Nine of the last year’s ten vendors will return, strengthened we hope by the addition of Wimer’s Organics from East Earl, PA.

These are only two of the many wonderful farmers markets that have cropped up around the greater Philadelphia area in the last few years. One is my weekly local, the other my specialty supplement. If you’d like to give a shout-out for your own local, please feel free to leave a link and/or your feedback in the comments section of the post.