Farmers markets sprouting up
The Almanac
Raine Lookabill works the grill for Logan Family Farms during a Bethel Park Farmers’ Market in 2020.
Observer-Reporter
The Main Street Farmers Market in Washington was bustling with people during its opening day last year.
Observer-Reporter
Residents stop by produce stands at the Canonsburg Farmer’s Market last June in the parking lot of St. Patrick Catholic Church.
A crisp salad filled with fresh, local produce simply screams summer, and the arrival of area farmers and local artisans, vendors and food trucks to parking lots and open air markets across Washington, Greene and Fayette counties signals the start of farmers market season.
Some local markets are open, while others are gearing up for the season. Find the farmers market nearest you:
Allegheny CountyBethel Park Farmers Market
Corrigan Drive, Bethel Park (near the ice rink entrance)
Tuesdays from 3 to 7 p.m., beginning May 3
Produce from Simmons Farm, local honey from Swope’s Berries and Bees and an assortment of goodies from The Spring House are a small sampling of delightful goods and vendors at this year’s Bethel Park Farmers Market. Arrive hungry – the Pittsburgh Pierogi Truck and Istanbul Grill are on-site all season – and save room for dessert from Chimney Cakes and Wu’s Shaved Ice. Don’t forget to take home fresh bread from Loafers Bread Co. or plan for the weekend with a bottle of something from Country Hammer Moonshine.
Learn more at https://www.bethelparkfarmersmarket.com/.
Carnegie East Main Farmers Market
East Main Street (between Mary and Broadway), Carnegie
Sundays from noon to 3 p.m., beginning July 10
Come for the fresh produce, stay for the food trucks. The Carnegie Farmers Market sets up shop along East Main Street Sundays during the summer and, along with traditional farmers market offerings, invites shoppers to browse baked goods, stock up on locally canned goods, sample a variety of delicacies from regional food trucks and pop into local businesses like Carnegie Coffee Co. and Firebox Studios. Save the date for this year’s Butterfly Festival July 31 during regular market hours.
For more information on this year’s vendors, visit http://carnegieborough.com/market/.
Mt. Lebanon Uptown Market
Uptown Mt. Lebanon, Washington Road, Pittsburgh (across from Washington Elementary School)
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning May 14
Small batch olive oils and vinegars by Olive and Marlow and artisan goat cheeses by Cherish Cheese complement the fresh produce by Simmons Farms and meats by Coyne Family Farm at this year’s Uptown Market. The market, set up throughout Mt. Lebo’s business district, offers a variety of locally sourced eats and goods, including jams by Uncle Jammy’s Pittsburgh, handcrafted skincare by Arbor House Soaps and flowers and herbs from Cherry Valley Organics, a female-led farm from Burgettstown. Work by local artists and jewelers is on display the second Saturday of each month.
Learn more about the Uptown Market online at https://mtlebopartnership.org/events/wesbanco-uptown-farmers-market/.
Upper St. Clair Rotary Farmers Market
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2040 Washington Road, Pittsburgh
Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m., beginning May 5
Anchored by Simmons, Logan Family and Jodikinos farms, the Upper St. Clair market is sure to delight the senses as the scents from Gyro Guys and Pittsburgh Crepes food trucks blend with Wild River Kettle Korn and Bad Azz BBQ. Green Valley Pastures provides fresh eggs, Scott Sinclair Beef and Chicken Jerky meet your meat needs and Swope’s Berries and Bees adds a little sweet to your pantry. Try saying no to Beedles Ice Cream or Wu’s Shaved Ice on warm evenings while browsing work by Maysoun Makhoul Resin Artwork.
Learn more about the market on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/USCRotaryMarket/.
Washington CountyGreater Canonsburg Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market
St. Patrick Church, 317 W. Pike St., Canonsburg
Tuesdays from 3 to 7 p.m., beginning June 7
St. Patrick’s Church parking lot comes to life when crowds gather to purchase produce from local farms, browse home goods and crafts from area vendors like Cattle Dog Candle Co. and enjoy dinner from food trucks. This year, the Canonsburg Farmers Market is working with Chik-Fil-A, which will serve up those waffle fries folks love on select Tuesdays.
Learn more about Canonsburg’s Farmers Market online at https://www.canonsburgboro.com/community/page/greater-canonsburg-chamber-commerce-farmers-market-1.
Main Street Farmers Market
139 S. Main St., Washington
Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m., beginning May 19
Beneath the large, green awning downtown, local produce, meat and eggs, handmade pies and freshly brewed coffee, and crafts and art by local vendors wait for shoppers to scoop up. The Main Street Market in Washington welcomes back full-time vendors Popcorn Willy, Bro Chachos Salsa and Liberty House Farmory, and attendees will delight in the live entertainment and generally good time weekly, rain or shine.
For more on the market, visit http://msfm.org/.
McDonald Trail Station Farm Market
Intersection of Panhandle Trail and South McDonald Street, McDonald
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning July 9
The McDonald Trail Station offers area residents and Pan Handle Trail adventurers alike the opportunity to buy local on Saturdays through the end of summer. Sponsored by the McDonald Area Redevelopment Association, the weekly Farm Market boasts a variety of area vendors selling fresh produce and other goods, crafters and, some weekends, music. While enjoying live music (on some weekends) or a bite to eat, drink in the area’s rich history inside the trail station, which serves as McDonald’s history center.
To learn more, visit https://www.mcdonaldtrailstation.com/.
Original Farmers Market
151 Parks Road, Cuddy
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The cash-only, open-air market situated between Cecil and Bridgeville has a little something for everyone. When the selling bell rings at promptly 5:30 p.m., Bayer and Simmons farms, along with other area farms, begin bagging fresh produce for customers. Stop by the Coyne Family Farm stand for fresh beef, chicken and pork, grab local honey from Castello Apiaries and replenish your maple syrup supply with Rustic Rock Maple Farm. Finleyville’s Micro Mushroom Market will be on site this year, and shoppers can browse while snacking on gluten-free desserts from The Bluehouse Bakery or kettle corn by Bates & Hayes Concessions.
For more on the Original Farmers Market, visit https://theoriginalfarmersmarket.net/.
Peters Township Farmers Market
St. David’s Episcopal Church, 905 E. McMurray Road, Venetia
Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m., beginning June 1
The Peters Township Farmers Market offers a mid-week pick-me-up with produce from Jodikino’s Family and Simmons farms, tasty treats from The Pie Place and Sweets Without Wheat, and LaVigneta Winery, to take the edge off. Food trucks, like Cousins Maine Lobster, make this farmers market an easy dinner date (for families, too!) and Fox In A Box Art Studio provides entertainment for all ages. Be sure to stop by The Olive Tap and Goose Run Farms tables before heading home with an arrangement by Kindred Flower Farm.
To learn more, visit http://peterstownshipfarmersmarket.org/index.html.