This article is sponsored by Chester County Economic Development Council.
Spring is here. No, really. It actually is. While cold snaps and bitter winds might make it hard to believe that warmer days will ever arrive, keep the faith, Dish readers. Lisa O’Neill from Growing Roots Partners gives us lots of fresh info on GRP’s local farmers markets and upcoming events while we hope that shopping outdoors will be an option again very soon.
PA Eats: How did Growing Roots Partners begin?
Lisa: GRP began over a year ago. Donna [Levitsky] and I were managing a farmers market on a volunteer basis, and quickly realized the amount of time and dedication it required to run a successful farmers market. We were approached by other municipalities to consider starting a farmers market for their communities. It all made sense to create a business model for managing community-based farmers markets. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with three municipalities that recognize the value of the farmers markets to their community.
Why are CSAs and farmers markets so popular today?
In general, folks are just more informed about where food comes from today than ever before. They want information: how livestock is raised, how vegetables and fruit are grown, what’s in prepared foods. Convenience foods lining grocery store shelves have ingredient lists with words most can’t even pronounce. Consumers want “whole foods”—quality produce, meat and dairy, getting back to the basics and away from industrially prepared foods, industrially grown produce and industrially raised meat.
Many farmers-market shoppers are aware [of], and active in, the politics of food. They recognize the importance of strengthening and supporting a locally based food system. Promoting a strong, local agricultural community is important to them. The issue of food safety plays a major role in the popularity of farmers markets as well.
Last, but certainly not least, health concerns are a major factor in the shift to farmers markets. The focus on improving the nutritional quality of the American diet has folks flocking to farmers markets looking for healthy nutrition options: fruits, vegetables, meats and more. And they are making the shopping experience a family affair–taking the opportunity to introduce their children to the culture of a farmers market, to appreciate where their food comes from.
What types of markets are sponsored by GRP?
We will have 3 farmers markets this season, starting the first week of May: Malvern Farmers Market is Saturday from 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Our Downingtown Farmers Market was Thursdays, but for 2014 we have changed it to a Saturday from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. And, we’ll be starting a third market this spring, Eagleview Farmers Market at Town Center, Thursdays from 3–7 p.m.
Growing Roots Partners also has two major festivals planned for this spring/fall—Malvern Blooms (Sunday, May 4) and Malvern Harvest Festivals (May 4 & Sunday, September 28). We are so excited to have the opportunity to work with the sponsor of the festivals, the Malvern Professional Business Association. The festivals are a major draw for the community, bringing more than 5,000 visitors to the borough to enjoy the festivities. Both of the festivals have something for everyone—live music and plenty of shopping opportunities with quality crafters, artists and retailers in attendance. We suggest arriving hungry to the festivals as some of the area’s best food trucks and restaurants will be set up in our food courts. And to top off our food options we’ll have a bacon cook-off, featuring area chefs vying for the golden pig! There will be plenty to keep the kids entertained as well, including games, crafts and activities.
In terms of goods offered, what can customers expect to find when they visit a GRP market?
Our markets are what is termed “producer-only”–meaning that whatever is sold at our market must be grown, raised or made by the vendor. The focus is on local; the lion’s share of our vendors are within a 35-mile radius of the market location. We work with an amazing assortment of produce farmers offering a wide variety or fruits and vegetables, both organic and conventionally grown. Our livestock farms offer pastured, grass-fed meats and poultry and farm-fresh eggs too. And, the dairy farms bring artisan cheeses, milk, yogurt and kefir.
Our vendors feature producer-only items for anyone, from wholesome baked goods to homemade sauces and soups to pickles, jams and preserves and artisan chocolates and candies. Enjoy locally made root beer, salsa, guacamole and hummus, fresh-cut flowers, locally made soaps and dog treats.
We try to feature a musician at the markets weekly, and a children’s activity twice a month. Our goal is to keep our markets focused on the community. We offer a community board at the markets, allowing local organizations to promote their events. We also offer space for complimentary non-profit organizations to participate in the market.
What has been the greatest challenge of hosting a farmers’ market? How about the greatest benefit?
The greatest benefit by far is the people—the farmers and vendors, and the shoppers! There is a culture to farmers markets and the shoppers are so dedicated to supporting and promoting the concept of eating local, sustainable foods. They are passionate about making a trip to the farmers market part of their weekly routine in spite of the weather. They are informed shoppers and they quickly develop a relationship with all of the farmers and vendors at a market. They don’t just buy carrots, they buy Peg’s carrots, Trey’s honey, Axel’s eggs, Wayne’s sausage. They ask questions—how was the produce grown, how are the animals raised, where do ingredients come from. Those consumer/farmer relationships are essential to building a strong market.
The greatest challenge—weather! We’re an open-air market, except our indoor winter market in Malvern. Some days are rainy, snowy or stormy; some days are over 95 degrees and some below freezing. What still amazes us is the number of shoppers who will show up at the market, no matter what the weather conditions are.
This year, more than ever, Dish readers are ready for spring. Do local shoppers need to wait until the weather gets warmer to enjoy the benefits of one of your markets?
We are currently running two winter markets through the end of April. The Malvern Winter Farmers Market is the first and third Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m.–noon in the First Baptist Church in Malvern, 146 Channing Ave. Our Downingtown Winter Farmers Market is the first and third Thursday of the month, from 4–6 p.m. outdoors, in Kerr Park (Pennsylvania Avenue entrance, next to the gazebo).
For the most current information on Growing Roots Partners markets and festivals, and to sign up for the GRP newsletter, visit growingrootspartners.com.
