Rise and Shine! PA’s #1 Farmers Market Returns to Swarthmore Town Center
Pictured here (from left to right) are Anita Barrett, Pat Francher, Kim O’Halloran, Carol Savery, Andy Rosen, Martha Perkins and Shannon Dietzmann Elliott, all members of the Swarthmore Farmers Market organizing committee. The flag behind them is hanging permanently in Borough Hall in recognition of the Market being voted #1 in Pennsylvania and #2 in the USA in 2018. Committee Members not pictured include Daria Duda, Mel Jurist, Clair Oaks, Bill Furia, Danielle Callahan and Ines Rodriguez. Photo by Donna Francher.
You have probably seen the banners and yard signs popping up in anticipation of the Swarthmore Farmers Market, and opening day is finally here! THE Saturday morning food, art, music, and community gathering place will reconvene in Central Park (the Borough Hall parking lot,) for its 14th season on Saturday, May 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In the banner year of 2018, the market and our vendors welcomed more visitors than ever before and received the #1 ranking in PA and #2 ranking in the US as a result of 2,000-plus votes in the American Farmland Trust’s Farmers Market Celebration. A flag commemorating this honor will be permanently displayed in Borough Hall.
Opening day 2019 will usher in the happy return of our beloved farmers, growers, and food artisans, including organic veggie guru Emma of Knee-High Farm, as well as a few newbies including a gelato maker and a goat dairy farm, with more new vendors and food trucks to come as the season unfolds.
Each week, market visitors will be serenaded by talented musicians like gifted guitarist and singer David Falcone, and wowed by local artists including Swarthmore-based husband and wife duo, Sawdust Siren, all of whom will be in attendance at the first market.
Kids crafts and activities will be as creative as ever, and all are invited week one to make a flower out of crepe paper for Mother’s Day and to make reusable shopping bags using recycled t-shirts.(Let’s pitch in, help Mother Earth, and skip the plastic bag when possible!)
The market will continue to expand access to fresh foods by accepting the Swarthmore College OneCard every Saturday starting June 1. SNAP payments, along with Farmers Market Nutrition Vouchers, will continue to be accepted, and free Food Trust-sponsored Food Bucks will be available to SNAP customers.
The volunteer team that makes the market happen thanks all for their support and looks forward to seeing your smiling faces each Saturday through December 7, rain or shine. For more information about the lineup for this week and all of the upcoming markets, head to swarthmorefarmersmarket.org and while there, be sure to sign up for the market’s weekly e-newsletter.
