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| CONTACT: | Cara Schneider | GPTMC | (215) 599-2290 | cara@gptmc.com |
PHILADELPHIA, June, 2004 – The food markets in the Greater Philadelphia region serve as modern-day town squares – where people mingle, exchange news and call the vendors by name. In addition, the markets are a source of fresh produce, as well as hard-to-find ingredients for the traditional dishes made by the many ethnic groups that have made a home in the region.
For tourists, food markets provide a taste of the ethnic diversity and lifestyle of local Philadelphians. Best-known markets include the Reading Terminal Market and the Italian Market. Many other markets flourish throughout the region and the number is growing as organizations like The Food Trust and the Farm to City program work to create and strengthen markets.
Reading Terminal Market was established in 1892 when trains rolled into Reading Terminal. Today, two of the nearly 90 merchants are descendents of original stand holders. They have been joined by Amish merchants from Pennsylvania’s countryside, who bring fresh goods to the market four days a week, as well as merchants who reflect the melting pot that is Philadelphia – those like Alfoncie B. Austin, who was the first African American to own a business in this market with the opening of The Basic 4 Vegetarian Snack Bar. Visitors can stroll through the vast food bazaar and buy everything from handcrafted imported crafts and American quilts to fresh produce, dairy products, meat, seafood, fresh cut flowers, cookbooks and prepared foods ranging from cannoli to soul food. Among the nearly 90 merchants are some 30 restaurants and lunch counters. The Market has retained its old-fashioned flavor and, today, the train station above the Market has become a dramatic space in the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The Italian Market in South Philadelphia is one of the world’s largest working outdoor markets. Ninth Street from Catharine Street to Wharton Street is lined with family-owned gourmet shops and small groceries selling handmade pasta, cheese, fresh herbs, cookware, unusual sausages made from game meats, meats and seafood, barrels of fresh olives and dozens of olive oils. Shops selling produce spill out onto the sidewalks along 9th Street, creating an old-world experience. There are also home-style Italian restaurants and charming cafes, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner or an espresso break.
In Philadelphia
Reading Terminal Market: Open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.12th & Arch Streets, (215) 922-2317, www.readingterminalmarket.org
The Italian Market: Closed Sunday afternoons and Monday. 9th Street between Catharine & Wharton Streets, (215) 922-5557, www.phillyitalianmarket.com
Second Street Farmers’ Market: Many unusual farmers, including goat cheese farmer and organic growers. Open June-mid-November, Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 2nd & South Streets, (215) 568-0830, www.thefoodtrust.org
South & Passyunk Farmers’ Market: Small market with produce, flowers and plants. Open mid-May-Thanksgiving, Tuesday from 2-7 p.m. South Street & Passyunk Avenue, (215) 733-9599
South Street West Farmers’ Market: Apples, peaches, organic growers, baked foods, preserves and more. Open June-mid-November, Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. 16th & South Streets, (215) 568-0830, www.thefoodtrust.org
Clark Park Farmers’ Market: Organic produce, flowers, bedding plants, herbs and baked goods. Open June-mid-November, Thursday from 3-7 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 43rd Street & Baltimore Avenue, (215) 243-0555, www.ucityphila.com
Cliveden Park Farmers’ Market: Baker and a produce vendor with cider, jam, canned goods and vegetables. Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. Chew Avenue & Johnson Street, (215) 568-0830, www.thefoodtrust.org
12th Street Farmers' Market: Small market with produce and flowers. Open June-mid-October, Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. 12th Street between Walnut & Locust Streets, (215) 568-0830, www.thefoodtrust.org
Fitler Square Farmers’ Market: Small market with organic produce and flowers. Open May-mid-November, Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 23rd & Pine Streets, (215) 568-0830, www.thefoodtrust.org
Firehouse Farmers’ Market: Located in a former Victorian Firehouse; offers produce, meats, dairy products, flowers and breakfast. Open year-round, Tuesday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. 701 S. 50th Street at Baltimore Avenue, (215) 724-7660, www.firehousefarmersmarket.com
Dutch Country Farmers’ Market: Six vendors selling produce, deli goods, hot sandwiches, pretzels, Jewish breads and rotisserie meats. Open year-round, Wednesday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 2031 Cottman Avenue, (215) 745-6008
Lancaster County Farmers’ Market: More than a dozen booths, including fresh and smoked meats, pretzels, produce and baked goods. Open year-round, Tuesday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Friday from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. 5942 Germantown Avenue, (215) 843-9564
Chestnut Hill Farmers’ Market: More than a dozen vendors selling cut-to-order meats, produce, dairy and ethnic cuisine. Open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 8229 Germantown & Southampton Avenues, (215) 248-3336
Palmer Park Farmers’ Market: Small market with large variety of produce. Open June-November, Thursday from 2-6 p.m. Frankford Avenue & E. Palmer Street, (215) 568-0830, www.thefoodtrust.org
Lincoln High School Farmers’ Market: Approximately six farmers offering organic produce, goat cheese, fresh fruit and Amish baked goods. Open June-October, Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Roland Avenue near Ryan Avenue, (215) 733-9599
Ridge & Girard Farmers’ Market: Small market with produce grown by area teens, as well as fresh cut flowers, Lancaster County fruits and vegetables, herb and flower seedlings. Open June-October, Friday from 2-6 p.m. Ridge & Girard Avenues, (215) 733-9599
Park & Grange Farmers’ Market: Small market with Lancaster County fruits and vegetables. Open June-October, Thursday from 2-6 p.m. Park & Grange Avenues, near Broad & Olney Streets, (215) 733-9599
Freedom Square Farmers’ Market: Small market with locally grown fruits and vegetables, Amish baked goods and barbecue chicken and ribs. Open June-October, Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Germantown Avenue & Wister Street, (215) 733-9599
Lancaster Avenue Farmers’ Market: Small market with organic produce and breads, flowers and pastured meats. Open June-October, Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Lancaster & Powelton Avenues, (215) 733-9599
Spruce & 33rd Farmers’ Market: Small market featuring organic produce. Open June-October, Thursday from 12 noon–6 p.m. 33rd & Spruce Streets, (215) 733-9599
In Montgomery County
Flourtown Farmers’ Market: Approximately 20 vendors since 1986. Open year-round, Thursday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 914 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, (215) 233-9510
Glenside Farmers’ Market: Small market has Amish baked goods, organic eggs and produce. Open June-October, Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Easton Road & Glenside Avenue, Glenside, (267) 250-8185, www.glensidefarmersmarket.org
Limerick Flea Market: Flowers, coffee, pretzels, candies and ethnic cuisine. Open year-round, weather permitting, Indoor: Friday from 12 noon-9 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Outdoor: Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. West Ridge Pike at Sunset Road, Limerick, (610) 489-3338
Zern’s Farmers’ Market and Auction: Calls itself the world’s largest “Dutch treat” with more than 400 merchants, auctions, antiques and flea market. Open year-round, Friday from 2-10 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Route 73, Gilbertsville, (610) 367-2461, www.zerns.com
In Chester County
Kennett Square Farmers’ Market: Features local growers. Open May-October, Friday from 2-6 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. On East State Street at Genesis Building, Kennett Square, (610) 869-8759
In Bucks County
Perkasie Farmers’ Market: Several local growers with bedding plants, hanging baskets and seasonal produce. Open late-May-October, Saturday from 7:30 a.m.-12 noon. Market & 7th Streets, Perkasie, (215) 723-3508
McArdle’s Holiday Farm: Self-serve vegetables and freshly cut flowers grown on-site. Open daily April-December, closed July–August (except the farm stand), hours vary. 4316 Mechanicsville Road, Mechanicsville, (215) 794-7655
Rice’s Market: Bucks County’s oldest and largest market. Five hundred vendors selling everything from antiques to zucchini. Open year-round Tuesday from 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; and March-December, Saturday from 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 6326 Greenhill Road, New Hope, (215) 297-5993, www.ricesmarket.com
Quakertown Farmers’ Market: More than 150 farmers and a flea market. Open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m-9 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 201 Station Road, Quakertown, (215) 536-4115, www.quakertownfarmersmkt.com
In Delaware County
Ardmore Farmers’ Market: Gourmet take-out, fresh products and Amish farmers. Open Wednesday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Thursday-Saturday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Suburban Square, St. James & Colter Avenues near Montgomery Avenue, Ardmore, (610) 896-7560, www.suburbansquare.com
The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), Philadelphia’s regional tourism marketing agency, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to building the region’s economy and positive image through tourism and destination marketing. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676, or visit www.gophila.com.
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Note to Editors: For photos of Philadelphia and its surrounding countryside, visit
gophila.com/pressroom.June 2004
