The Freshmakers

2009 Philly Farmers Market Guide

by Patrick Rapa

Michael T. Regan

"The variety of options [is] expanding beyond the farmers markets' peaches-zucchini-tomatoes staples," says my old pal April White of The Food Trust, a Philly-based nutrition org. These days, at some of the 25 or so farmers markets sprouting up throughout the city, you can find pumpkin pies, canned peaches, apple syrup, plants, cut flowers — the shopping list is endless. "We're seeing the farmers markets not just growing — though they are, as is their customer base — but growing up," says White. She's psyched about the increased number of vendors and markets. And farmers these days, she points out, are using hoop houses (little greenhouses, basically) to extend their growing season, so produce stands at places like Headhouse Square can stay open until December. And so you have no excuse not to eat fresh this summer, and beyond. With that in mind, here's our complete-as-we-could-make-it farmers market listings, with opening dates provided when available. Tape it to the fridge. Bookmark the page. Buy a carrot and bite into it.

Philly's neighborhood food co-ops are dreaming big.

The UglyRipe tomato ain't pretty, but it's pretty good.

Broad and South
Wednesdays, 2 to 6 p.m., Broad and South streets (opens May 27)

City Hall
Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., northwest corner of Philadelphia City Hall Plaza, 15th and JFK Boulevard

Clark Park
Thursdays, 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue (Saturday is year-round; Thursday market opens June 4)

Cliveden Park
Wednesdays, 2 to 6 p.m., Chew Avenue and Johnson Street (opens June 24)

East Falls
Fridays, 3:30 to 7 p.m., Midvale Avenue near Ridge (opens June 5)

Fairmount
Thursdays, 3 to 7 p.m., 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue (opens May 7)

Fitler Square
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 23rd and Pine streets (year-round)

Fountain
Wednesdays, 3 to 7 p.m., East Passyunk Avenue at 11th and Tasker streets

Germantown
Fridays, 2 to 6 p.m., Germantown Avenue and Walnut Lane (opens May 22)

Girard and 27th
Wednesdays, noon to 3 p.m., 27th Street and Girard Avenue

HALF OFF DEPOT

Why live life at full price?

Greensgrow Stand
Tuesdays to Sundays, 2501 E. Cumberland St. (opens May 28)

Haddington
Wednesdays and Fridays, 1 to 5 p.m., 52nd Street and Haverford Avenue (opens July 15)

Headhouse
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Second and Lombard streets (opens May 3)

Jefferson
Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Chestnut Street east of 10th

Manayunk
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Canal View Park on Main Street near Gay Street

Northern Liberties
Wednesdays, 3 to 7 p.m., Second and Poplar streets (opens June 17)

Overbrook Farms
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 63rd Street between Sherwood Road and Overbrook Avenue (opens May 9)

Oxford Circle
Thursdays, 2 to 6 p.m., Oxford and Summerdale avenues (opens June 11)

Palmer Park
Thursdays, 2 to 6 p.m., Frankford Avenue and East Palmer Street (opens June 4)

Rittenhouse
Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Walnut Street on south sidewalk west of 18th (opens May 16)

Roxborough
Fridays, 2 to 6 p.m., Ridge Avenue at entrance to Leverington Avenue parking lot (opens June 5)

Schuylkill River Park
Wednesdays, 3 to 7 p.m., 25th and Spruce streets (opens May 20)

South and Passyunk
Tuesdays, 3 to 7 p.m., South Street near Fifth (opens May 5)

Temple University
Thursdays, 2 to 6 p.m., Cecil B. Moore Avenue between Broad Street and Park Walk (opens early June)

University Square
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 36th and Walnut streets

Weavers Way
Thursdays, 3 to 7 p.m., Carpenter Lane and Greene Street in front of High Point Café

West Oak Lane
Tuesdays, 2 to 6 p.m., Ogontz and 72nd avenues (opens June 23)

For more info on farmers markets in the city, contact The Food Trust (thefoodtrust.org) and Farm to City (farmtocity.org).