August 15, 2011
At markets across the city, fresh foods cover the spectrum from fruits and organically grown vegetables to honey and pastured dairy to sweet pastries and breads fresh from Amish ovens. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)
According to the USDA, as of mid-2011 there were 7,175 farmers markets operating throughout the country, an incredible 17% increase from 2010. Philadelphia is most certainly doing its part to contribute to that growth.
Accordingly, in a piece entitled The Summer Bounty from Farm to City, Forbes profiles the farmers’ market scene in Philadelphia, which in our opinion rivals those of most major cities in the U.S.
Highlighted markets include: Headhouse Farmers’ Market, where even Jose Garces sells his own cheese, bread and pastries made at his Garces Trading Company restaurant market; Rittenhouse Square Farmers’ Market; Greensgrow Farms; and Fairmount Farmers’ Market.
The article cheerleads farmers’ markets many advantages, including the provision of “affordable, convenient and healthful access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” which promotes good health and in so doing helps to reduce the current obesity epidemic in America.
A key quote: “[Farmers' markets] also play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support the sustainability of family farms, revitalize communities and provide places for farmers and consumers to meet.”
Everyone’s a winner in the farm-to-table arena, and we encourage you to take part. Check out a map of Philadelphia area farmers’ markets here.
Read more about Philadelphia’s robust local food scene at Philly Homegrown.
The Summer Bounty from Farm to City [Forbes]
April 27, 2011
The Headhouse Square Farmers' Market (photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)
This Sunday, May 1, the Headhouse Square Farmers’ Market will kick off its fifth season. At this, Philadelphia’s largest and most popular open air farmers’ market, you’ll find all manner of herbs, pastured meat, chicken, eggs and dairy, baked goods and lots of produce. Because the growing season is still young, expect to find products like asparagus, green garlic and lots of young, tender greens.
The market is open between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You’ll find market favorites like Culton Organics, Wild Flour Bakery and Philly Fair Trade Roasters (formerly known as Joe Coffee) as well as new vendors like Root Mass Farm and Penns Woods Winery. The good stuff goes fast, so get there early for best selection.
If you can’t make it to Headhouse this Sunday, there are also markets at Clark Park (Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.), Rittenhouse Square (Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) and Fairmount (Thursdays, 3 – 7 p.m.). The Fairmount Market is at 22nd and Fairmount and opens for the season on Thursday, May 5. For more information on Philadelphia area farmers’ markets, head over to Philly Homegrown and check out the market section of the food finder. While you’re there, take a little time to Meet the Makers or learn more about Philly Food and Drink.
Headhouse Square Farmers’ Market
When: Sundays, May 1 through December 18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: 2nd and Lombard Streets
Cost: entry is free, food prices set by vendors
More info: www.thefoodtrust.org
November 16, 2010
The north entrance to the Headhouse Square shambles (photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)
The following is an excerpt from a blog post by local restaurateur and caterer Steve Poses. This is one in a series of features he’s running on area farmers’ markets. To read the full text on his blog, click here.
With the exception of any day at Reading Terminal Market, a summer’s Sunday at Headhouse Farmers’ Market is Philadelphia’s best food shopping experience. And for pure physical per-square-foot concentration of food-shopping ecstasy, it is unrivaled. There are good reasons for this.
photo by S. Poses
Headhouse is located on 2nd Street, between Pine and Lombard, at the south side of Society Hill, adjacent to Queen Village. The headhouse was built in 1805 and originally housed a volunteer fire department. The Shambles, the covered arcade, is an English name for a collection of butcher shops.
The Headhouse Farmers’ Market grows out of long market tradition. But its success today is due in large part to the uniquely supportive demographics of Society Hill and Queen Village. Though Society Hill is the least dense of Center City’s neighborhoods at 12,867 citizens per square mile, Queen Village has a density of 23,616 that rivals Rittenhouse Square at 26,081. It’s against this demographic backdrop that the Headhouse Farmers’ Market operates each Sunday.
Most neighborhood farmers’ markets are laid out single file, under tents along a sidewalk strip. By contrast, the Headhouse market, operated by The Food Trust, sits within the shambles with tables lining both sides. The covered arcade provides a more intimate and compressed physical experience. At the same time, the absence of mismatched and low-hanging tents provides a more consistent, open and accessible market.
Click here to continue reading this post at Just In at Homegrown
Steve Poses is founder of Frog Commissary. A local restaurateur, caterer and author, it’s his goal to increase home entertaining. Steve’s latest book, At Home by Steve Poses: A Caters Guide to Cooking and Entertaining, was released in 2009. It’s the inspiration for At Home Online, a website and blog designed to make home entertaining as easy as possible with tips, guides and recipes. Click here to subscribe to his e-newsletter. Steve can also be found on Twitter as @SPoses. Click here to follow him.
November 12, 2010
Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. If you’re cooking this year, you’re probably already sifting through mountains of cookbooks and holiday-themed magazines, searching for the perfect recipes to balance out your holiday table. Thanks to a little help from some area chefs and food-minded folks, Philly Homegrown has a few more recipes to add to your consideration pile.
From the Root Vegetable Soup that Chef Ian Maroney is currently serving up at his Pumpkin Restaurant to the Honey-Lemon Glazed Turkey that Chef Kiong Banh makes for the staff at Twenty Manning Grill and Audrey Claire each year, there are plenty of options here to ensure that your Thanksgiving is both delicious and happily local.
As you map out your Thankgiving shopping, keep in mind spots like the Fair Food Farmstand at Reading Terminal Market and the Headhouse Square Farmers’ Market. The Headhouse Market will be open on Wednesday, November 24th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., for all your last-minute, local shopping needs. For additional markets, make sure to check out the Philly Homegrown Food Finder.
