Farmers market continues Thursdays through Sept. 30 in Upper St. Clair
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Bad Azz BBQ founder Stacy Bradley is No. 1, as far as the Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Fest is concerned: Hers have been named the best six years in a row. And they’re available weekly at Upper St. Clair Rotary Farmers Market.
Linda and Lou Siyufy of Peters Township are the owners of Giant Oaks Winery in Finleyville.
Kassiani Callos' baked goods are gluten-free.
Leah Morton offers "farm-fresh produce straight from our Greene County mini-farm. Never any chemicals used."
Amber Sutfin and daughter Dagen are ready to greet customers at the Pet Wants booth for small-batch, slow-cooked food selections for dogs and cats.
Erin Swope displays offerings by Swope’s Berries & Bees of Avella, including honey and balms.
Debby Herman of South Park Township is the founder of LilDebby's DeLights, which offers 100% natural and organic skin care products.
Each Thursday this time of year, motorists along Route 19 will see a flurry of activity along Route 19 in Westminster Presbyterian Church’s south parking lot.
“Rain or shine,” Justin Tiano said.
He and his wife, Pam, coordinate the Upper St. Clair Rotary Farmers Market. And although the weather hasn’t been the most cooperative this summer, visitors can expect to find quite the selection no matter what, as the event is back to its pre-pandemic capacity.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Pam and Justin Tiano of Bethel Park both are members of the Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park (Breakfast), which runs the farmers’ market.
“Last year, it was a lot quieter,” Justin said. “But this year, we have a full market every week, 25 different vendors.”
The market – run by members of the Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park (Breakfast), including the Tianos – is held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 30. Rotarians are on hand to help customers find what they’re seeking, and they hold a weekly 50/50 raffle, with proceeds going toward the club’s philanthropic giving.
Vendors for 2021 are listed by the club as 2X Strong Coffee, Amber’s Pet Wants, Bad Azz BBQ, Bearded Devil Hot Sauce, Beatnik Sweet Eat, Beedles Ice Cream, Billus Indian Food, Brochachos Salsa, Cinnaroast Nuts, European Kitchen, Giant Oaks Winery, Gluten Free by Kassiani, Howard Hanna, Signs by Kathie Defrancesco, Jodikinos Farm, Lil Debby’s Delights, Leah Morton Farms, Loafers Bread Co., Logan Family Farms, Maysoun Makhoul Resin Artwork, Old Ben’s Cantina, Pampered Chef, Pitaland Inc., Shelf Genie, Simmons Farm, Swope’s Berries & Bees, Tambellini Italian Express, the Greek Kitchen, Wild River Kettle Korn and Wu’s Shaved Ice.
The Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park (Breakfast) meets at 7 a.m. Tuesdays at the Porch at Siena, 120 Siena Drive, Upper St. Clair. Prospective Rotarians always are welcome.
One of the club’s traditions is its annual chicken barbecue, which is scheduled for Oct. 9.
“We’re doing things a little differently this year. It’s drive-through exclusively, and we have changed our location. We will now be at Bethel Park High School,” Pam Tiano said. “We’re very excited about having a lot of new volunteers, now that our club is sponsoring the Interact Club at Bethel Park.”
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Leo Esquivel, left, and Ivan Carranza greet customers with fresh produce from Simmons Farm in Peters Township.
Rotary International’s Interact clubs bring together people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills and gain experience in community service. Sponsors mentor and guide Interactors as they carry out projects.
The Bethel Park Interact Club includes students from the high school and Independence Middle School, and is co-sponsored by the Bethel Park Rotary Club, which meets at 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays, except for the last Wednesday of the month, at the South Park Clubhouse, 2200 Brownsville Road.
“The kids are super-excited,” Pam said. “We have new faculty advisers this year. We have lots of fundraisers coming up. So we’re all having a good time getting involved in the community, and we’re also able to get the word out about Rotary.”
For more information about the Upper St. Clair Rotary Farmers Market, visit www.facebook.com/USCRotaryMarket.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Ian Evans of Peters Township shows some of his Bebop Bonsai offerings at the Upper St. Clair Rotary Farmers Market.