Get Your Produce On! Clark Park Market To Start Early
Philadelphia, PA 15 April, 2003 -- We’re starting summer early this year with the freshest produce available in University City. Clark Park Farmers’ Market at 43rd and Baltimore Ave., which usually opens in June, will open a month earlier this season on Saturday, April 26th at 10am. The market will operate on Saturdays from 10am until 2pm and on Thursdays from 3pm to 7pm. The market is opening early because of the abundance of spring produce offerings that usually get overlooked in June. Donna Pitz, who manages the market, says that "When the market opens in late April, you’ll be able to purchase the freshest greenhouse tomatoes available, as well as peas and scallions picked just hours before coming to market. A couple of weeks after the start of the market, in mid-May, you’ll be able to purchase strawberries that are much juicier than anything available in a supermarket. Also available will be a wonderful selection of fresh, local flowers and bedding plants."
The newest farmer to join the Clark Park market is Jody Klingebiel of Urban Blooms, a local grower who works closely with Greensgrow Philadelphia Project. Jody will sell bedding plants and flowers that were home grown right here in Philadelphia. Arlin Detwiler from Chester County, who sold vegetables at the market last season, will be selling fresh plants and flowers at the Thursday market. The Fahnestock Family will come to market with their delicious greenhouse tomatoes, and will later have the finest strawberries to be found in Philadelphia. King's Herb Nook will join the market on May 17th. Andy and Anna Ruth King will offer granola, whole grain breads, and over 400 varieties of herb plants. The market’s two bakers will be appearing at market as well. Many more farmers will come along as the season progresses, and the full complement of farmers will be at the market by late July.
The market will not be held on May 10th, the day of the Spruce Hill May Fair.
The Food Trust and University City District operate the market. The Food Trust is a Philadelphia based not for profit agency that works to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food. University City District builds effective partnerships to maintain a clean and safe environment and to promote, plan, and advocate for University City’s diverse urban community.
Release Date: Wednesday, April 16th 2003
