Farmers markets opening May 1
Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon featured
April showers don’t just bring May flowers. They also yield an abundance of farmers markets.
May 1 marks the official start of the season as the Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park Rotary Breakfast Club Farmer’s Market opens. Hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays. The market is operated in the parking lot adjacent to Westminster Presbyterian Church at 2040 Washington Road.
According to Bill Findle, the USC-BP market is attractive because of its variety and venue. A Rotary Club member for 14 years, he has helped organize the market for the past several years.
“We have a great variety of vendors and our location is accessible to everyone,” said Findle, who resides in Upper St. Clair. “We get a lot of traffic, and it’s a very busy market.”
Additionally, featured entertainment and community booths make the market special. As often as possible, Findle says, the USC-BP market offers musical acts and live bands that feature high school students or adult groups.
The Rotary Club also reserves a booth for community service, school organizations or municipal operations such as the fire department, police or EMS.
“As long as there is room, we give these groups a booth for free. The nonprofits can tell their story and the general public can learn something new. It’s a nice opportunity to get to know the community groups and for people to get to know them. It’s not just about buying food.”
This year, the USC-BP Rotary Club’s farmer’s market features eight new vendors.
Among them are: Big Lou’s Food Truck; Judas Creations and/or Watts Bear, both of which are suppliers of pet collars, necklaces, scarves and pet treats; PGH Integrated Wellness; Stove Top Candles; Kandgoods; Jak’s Bakery, which specializes in Mediterranean baked goods and breads, as well as Mediterranean Tastes.
Simmons and Jodikinos, farms from Washington and Beaver counties respectively, anchor the USC-BP Rotary market. Additionally, patrons can purchase honey, oils, soaps, skin care products, ice cream and hot dogs.
“There’s even a vendor that sharpens knives. Amazingly, that’s pretty popular,” Kindle said.
Kindle also added that many vendors appear on a rotating basis. At the start of each week, the USC-BP market posts on its Facebook page the featured vendors. Visit: www.facebook.com/USCBPRotaryFM for the complete list.
The market is held rain or shine for 22 weeks.
“The only time we cancel is if it’s a severe weather situation,” Kindle said.
BETHEL PARK
The Bethel Park Farmers’ Market returns for its 19th year on May 6. The market is open from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays in the parking lot off Corrigan Drive, next to the South Park ice skating rink.
This season marks a major milestone as the market will be extended through Oct. 14.
“This gives more weeks to shop local, connect with the community and enjoy all the fresh handmade and homegrown goodness the market has to offer,” said market organizers in a press release.
Many favorite vendors return with just-picked produce, from sweet treats to artisan breads, as well as handmade goods and specialty items. Additionally, to bring a freshness and new energy, the market is adding new vendors and products into the mix.
Visit www.bethelparkpa.gov/vendors for a complete list of vendors and scheduled appearances.
MT. LEBANON
In Mt. Lebanon, there are two regularly scheduled farmers markets.
The Uptown Market opens May 31 in the heart of the business district. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon.
According to the Mt. Lebanon Partnership, which manages the event that operates Saturdays through September, the Uptown Market provides an opportunity for farmers in the region to sell what they produce directly to urban residents. The market helps support family farms, preserve farmland and open space, increases commerce in the region, increases interaction between residents and farmers, and enriches the quality of urban life.
While there are pop-up vendors on any given Saturday, the regular marketers include: 1:11 Juice BarOrganic, BBQ Stus, Choc-go-latier, Cinco De Mayo Salsas, Coyne Family Farm, Edgeline Gardens, Grow Green Roots, José Quiroz Farm, Kizzle Foods, Lemmon Bothers Maple Syrup, Olive & Marlowe, Pittsburgh Pie Guy, Rose Henry Bake Shop, Sconeman, Simmons Farm, Syggelekokle Farm and Uncle Jammy’s BBQ Sauce & Dry Rubs.
The Mt. Lebanon Lions operate a farmers market from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays beginning June 4 and running through Oct. 29.
According to John Brown, market coordinator, the event is in its 35th year and is operated by volunteers, and all funds are donated to the organization’s 15 charities, which include the Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh, Leader Dogs and the Mt Lebanon Library.
New vendors this year are: Cheesecake, Pita Land, Confections Ice Cream, Alaska Wild Salmon, Crawford Horne Pottery, Wooden Loaf and Press House Coffee.
Returning vendors include: Bad Azz BBQ, Logan Beef Burgers, Pita Land, European Kitchen/Pierogies, Paul’s Orchard, Farm 57, Chip & Kale (pizza), Grove Chiropractic, Lions Club Booms/Bags, Wu’s Shaved Ice, Sand Hill Berry Farm, Kettle Korn Wild, Dee’s Delights (bakery), Costello Apiaries, Dillner Family Farm, 1:11 Juice Bar and Confections (ice cream).
Visit mtlebanonfarmersmarket.com for more details.