Finding Farmers' Markets & Fresh Produce in Philadelphia

As someone who grew up in rural Pennsylvania, home to countless farms, farmers' markets, and roadside produce stands, I'm no stranger to the joys of fresh local produce.  But I expected that when I moved to Center City Philadelphia, I'd have to settle for supermarket produce and just savor homegrown veggies while visiting my parents (and their garden).

I'm happy to report that was very, very wrong.

As it turns out, Philadelphia is chock full o' farmers' markets!  In addition to the delightful array of fresh and local food products that are for sale everyday in Reading Terminal Market, farmers from all over southern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania gather in various parts of Philly at different times during the week to unload their wares on hungry city-dwellers.  Some of the farmers' markets set up shop in the spring and end in the fall, while others hang in there for the whole year.

My point is this:  there's really no reason for anyone living in or around Philadelphia (or just visiting it) to settle for tomatoes from a supermarket that are dull and tasteless, or for puny ears of corn that lack the sweet crunch of freshly picked cobs.  Take the time to seek out the market spot that's closest to you -- you'll be glad you did.  In this hub, I'll talk about two of the most popular Center City farmers' markets, and I'll list the essential details about a slew of other options in and around Philadelphia.

My favorite farmers' market in the city is held every weekend at Headhouse Square in Society Hill. And I'm not just saying that because it's only a couple of blocks from my apartment, either. I used to make the trek down to 2nd & Pine Streets each Sunday even when I lived 20 blocks to the west. There's just something about the history there -- the cobblestone streets, the historic buildings, and the passing horse-drawn carriages -- that makes the whole experience of shopping at the Headhouse Square Market an absolute delight.

The Headhouse Square Market is up and running on Sundays from May through December, from 10 am until 2 pm. During the height of the summer harvest, it's also open on Saturdays for the same hours. For the rest of the summer and fall, the farm stands are replaced with tables of locally-made arts and crafts on Saturdays, which are also worth checking out. The vendors at the farmers' market do not accept credit cards, although there are plenty of ATMs in the area (for example, at the CVS located on the northeast corner of 2nd & Lombard Streets, and a no-fee option at the Wawa located on 2nd Street between Lombard and South).

Vendors at Headhouse Square include:

* Several farm stands selling all sorts of local vegetables (tomatoes, squash, potatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, corn, zucchini, onions, greens, shallots, garlic, peppers, radishes, leeks, herbs, broccoli, beans, peas, and the list goes on)

* At least 2 orchard stands selling all sorts of local fruits (apples, peaches, nectarines, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, plums, pluots, grapes, and the list goes on)

* At least 2 flower stands, one of which sells a great variety of cheap herb plants

* Two tables of baked goods, one with more of a focus on breads and muffins, and the other with more sweets

* A seafood vendor

* A poultry vendor selling chicken sausages and chicken pot pies, in addition to just plain chickens and eggs

* A butcher selling steaks and pork

* A cheese table

* A wine-tasting table (Stargazers Vineyard)

* A table selling hand-made chocolates

* A table selling spices, grains, and canned fruit and jams

* A table selling honey and lavender products (including lavender honey)

For some items, the prices are better than the prices in local supermarkets. For other items, you'll pay more at the farmers' market. Either way, you'll leave with fresh food that was made or grown a short drive from the city. There's also always a handful of vendors selling prepared foods so that you can enjoy lunch at the market. These often include a flavored, hand-squeezed lemonade stand, a sausage truck, and a Mexican food stand.

The atmosphere is lively and friendly, with lots of regulars coming to do some shopping and check in with their favorite vendors, lots of kids, and lots of dogs, creating a fantastic bustling atmosphere that makes for a great start to any Sunday.

Before I fell in love with Headhouse Square, I did my farmers' market shopping on Saturday mornings along the north side of Rittenhouse Square (on Walnut Street between 18th and 19th Streets).  The market there is open from 10 am until 1 pm on Tuesdays in the summertime, and from 9:30 am until 3 pm year-round (although the selection of vendors is limited in the winter).

The Rittenhouse Market is smaller, with fewer vendors than Headhouse Square, but it has longer hours, can be less crowded, and its location right along the park is lovely.  It has some of the same vendors, and many of the same great food items, that are available at Headhouse Square, including:

* A fantastic flower stand (a favorite stop of mine when visiting this particular farmers' market) run by a farm located in central Pennsylvania -- they have beautiful large arrangements, and there's always a young guy there putting together mini-bouquets that are sold for $2.

* Hand-made chocolates

* Fresh breads and pastries

* Several fresh local produce stands

* Honey

* Cheeses

* And, oddly, there's almost always a ZipCar table at the east end of the strip.

Before writing this hub, I was aware of about 6 farmers' markets that are held throughout the week in different parts of Philadelphia. And that's in addition to Reading Terminal Market, which is open every day, year round. But when I did some research to confirm the schedules of those 6 farmers' markets, I was floored to learn that there are at least a dozen more places throughout the city where you can get fresh, local produce, if you know when and where to look. So here's a collection of other farmers' markets that take place each week in Philadelphia, with brief descriptions of those that I've personally visited:

Fitler Square -- at 23rd & Pine, this market is open year-round on Saturdays from 9 am until 1 pm, and features many vendors from farms in central Pennsylvania.

Avenue of the Arts -- on Broad Street at South Street, this market consists of just a handful of tables, and is open Wednesdays from 2 pm until 7 pm.

University City -- at 36th & Walnut on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, this market is open Wednesdays from 10 am until 2 pm and offers baked goods, produce, Amish products, and dairy items.

Clark Park -- at 43rd & Baltimore, this large market runs year round on Saturdays (10-2 May through November, and 10-1 December through April), and from 3 pm until 7 pm between May and November.

Temple University -- on Cecil B. Moore Ave. between Broad Street and Park Walk on Temple's campus, this market is open Thursdays from 2 pm until 6 pm.

Thomas Jefferson Hospital -- on Chestnut Street at 10th Street, this market contains a handful of stands selling breads and produce, and is open on Thursdays from 11 am until 3:30 pm.

For a complete listing of locations, dates and hours for other Philadelphia farmers' markets, check out the listing complied by the Food Trust, or the schedule on the Farm To City website.