Shopping Tips - Here are some ideas for getting the most out of your visit to the farmers' market!
- Go to the market early to get the best selection of produce. Later on you may get some deals
- Walk around the market and see whats available first, so that you can compare prices, products and quality. Take your time to enjoy the market! Farmers; markets are a great gathering place for friends and families.
- If you don't know what an item is, feel free to ask the farmer!
- Farmers are great sources of information about how to prepare different foods.
- Bring change and bills of smaller denominations to make shopping fast and easy.
- An ice chest will keep your perishables fresh until you get home.
- Be eco-conscious, and bring your own plastic or canvas bags, or baskets.
Several vendors do accept the FMNP checks in accordance with the guidelines provided by The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Look for the displayed FMNP sign at the vendor stand to determine which vendors accept the checks. View more information at our Web page WIC / FMNP or PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us ( PA Keyword: "FMNP" or "WIC").
- Taste Treat - Corn picked a few hours before or Tomatoes ripe from the vine just taste better, etc.
- Health Boost - Foods do lose their nutrient quality over time.
- Earth Bennies - You use a lot less energy buying local food. Once you crunch the environmental numbers
- Social Glue - People who want a closer connection to rural ways can find it by eating food grown by local farmers.
- Community Cash Cow - If you go buy from the local farmer, 90 percent to 100 percent of the money you pay stays in your town.
- Food Safety First - Agricultural experts believe that eating local is the solution to widespread damage from intentional and accidental contamination.
- Cost—Sometimes - Informal price comparisons show buying food at a farmers market, can cost the same or slightly less than shopping at the mega-chain down the street.
- Here's the Idea - For every dollar spent at Corporate chain only $.15 gets invested locally verses $.45 from that which is purchased locally. A little goes a long way - If everyone in a community spends a greater percentage locally it turns into big perks for the local economy. And a bonus - By buying local goods, you maximize your moneys impact and minimize fuel use and CO2 production.
We pride ourselves as a "Local Producer only" market. Items will be at the market only when they are in season in the Somerset and adjoining PA counties. Since being in the mountains of PA, our seasons and crops are controlled by Somerset County weather. We believe the freshness of the locally grown produce will provide a better looking, better tasting and more nutritious food. Plus, the local agricultural community is being stimulated.
The market members considered many things in order to select the market starting time and decided to keep it at 9:00 and 3:00 for the benefit of both vendors and customers. Earlier starting times may prohibit many vendors from bringing the freshest of products. By having a set starting time of 9:00 AM sharp on Saturday, everyone can plan when to arrive to purchase the freshest products that our vendors have to offer. The vendors need some time to pick items earlier and get them to market freshly picked that morning. The 9:00AM time is not so late for customers so as to take up their whole day.
The Wed 3:00PM time was selected to give people with different schedules a chance to buy at the market. It also provides the vendors a second day of the week to pick and sell their produce. It is also around the afternoon shift change time on Wed. Due to the market being later in the day it gives vendors more time to pick fresh produce to get to the market. This market has the most freshest items of both markets.
In order for vendors to get you the freshest products they need to plan and setup for a given start time. They need to get their store front at the market setup uninterrupted. That start time also allows all customers an equal chance at getting the first selection at a given vendor. When you go to a brick and mortar store, they don't unlock their doors until opening time. Just because we don't have walls and doors shouldn't change that situation. It just makes it fair for all of our customers.
The market has two large parking areas next to the market north and south. For those entering from the 601 Georgian Place entrance, (Turn Left at the top of the hill) can enter the new main entrance parking lot and go to the top of the market. For those entering off of Route 281 via the Lake road to Georgian Place can park at the lower end parking next to the bottom of the market. Both areas have good handicap access due to being close and having a nice paved area to park and move through the market ( No Steps required).The market and parking is on a slight grade which causes things to roll when drop
Each vendor determines the price charged for a product. Variation in prices are normal for products, especially produce where appearance, stage of maturity, measurement being offered for sale and varying production costs are involved.
Many vendors would be glad to share any preparation or processing information if they are knowledgeable in its use. Other customers are helpful sources of very good preparation methods
No. Although several vendors do offer organically grown produce and others may use organically grown ingredients in baked items, that stipulation is not a requirement of our vendors. Some vendors use integrated pest management or other reduced pesticide use practices in their operations. Ask the individual vendor to determine how their items are produced
Only Service dogs and those in training are allowed at the market. Food is being sold and your food safety is our main concern. These are the same dog rules that apply to your local supermarket. Just because we are outside doesn't change that situation.
Everyone producing their own products within Somerset County or adjoining PA counties is welcome to submit an application. Members abide by a set of guidelines in accordance with our Rules and Regulations