Clark Park Farmers Market Opens for 5th Season

(31 May 2002, Philadelphia, PA) -- The Clark Park Farmers’ Market opens for its fifth year on Thursday, June 6th at 3 p.m. The Market operates Thursdays 3 to 7 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm, rain or shine, through December at the corner of 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue. The Clark Park Farmers Market is co-produced by the University City District and The Food Trust.

New this year, selected Saturday markets will feature free acoustic performances by local musicians and storytellers at the Charles Dickens statue next to the market. Todd Young, renowned for his lyrics and melodies, will be the first performer on June 29. Other musicians and storytellers will perform every other Saturday.

Be patient if the full complement of produce is not yet available; plants can only grow so fast! Generally, the crops available in June are lettuces and greens, asparagus, peas, strawberries, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, and rhubarb. As the summer progresses, the variety of produce and products will become more abundant. The expected roster for both market days is:

THURSDAYS:

Robert and Lois Fahnestock, Fahnestock Fruit Farm, Lititz, PA (tomatoes, apples, peaches)
Amos Fisher, Buckview Produce, Quarryville, PA (vegetables and fruits)
Lisa & Ike Kirschner, North Star Orchard, Coatesville, PA (apples, peaches, pears, asian pears)
Noelle and Carol Margerum, Spring Grove, PA (vegetables, herbs, flavored vinegars, and specialty items)
Joe Stoltzfus, (baked goods)
Ron Weaver, Homestead Gardens, Ephrata, PA (herbs, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, cantaloupes and watermelon)

SATURDAYS:

Fahnestock Fruit Farm (see Thursdays)
Paul Hails, His Kids Goat Dairy, Wyalusing, PA (goat cheese, goat milk, eggs, poultry, honey, cider, meats, goat milk soaps and lotions)
Joel King, Kings Bakery, Peach Bottom, PA (baked goods, raspberries and blackberries)
John Shenk, Shenk's Berry Farm, Lititz, PA (fruits and vegetables)
Paul Shumaker, Shumaker Flower Farm, Bangor, PA (cut flowers, dried flowers, potted plants, herbs)

Over 11,000 shoppers enjoy the Clark Park Farmers Market each season.

The Food Trust is a non-profit organization founded in 1992 to increase the availability of fresh foods and develop a stable food supply in underserved communities and to improve the connection between urban and agricultural communities. Through its programs and collaborations with food, nutrition, and health agencies in Greater Philadelphia, southeastern Pennsylvania, and across the country, The Food Trust has had an impact on the lives of over 50,000 children and adults since 1993.

Celebrating its fifth year of operation, 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. The UCD's programs to improve streetscapes and parks, remove trash and graffiti, provide technical assistance to home- and business owners, increase public safety, and publicize University City's advantages have improved the quality of life since 1997. For more information, visit UCityphila.org.

Release Date: Friday, May 31st 2002