Farmers’ Markets are the best part of spring and summer. Yet one of the most bountiful & popular in Center City is Rittenhouse Farmer’s Market, which takes place year-round.
As Rittenhouse Farmer’s Market Manager Ben Bergman explained, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes of the Farmer’s Market. After reading Omnivore’s Dilemma changed his life, he wanted to get closer to the local food movement. He understands the importance of becoming a locavore tasting each season, explaining,
“When you’re buying local food, you’re connecting yourself to where you live.”
He now manages the largest Farmer’s Market in Philly, so we think he’s on the right track. Part of his responsibilities are helping arrange the market layout, assisting vendors and ensuring things go smoothly every Saturday.
When: The Rittenhouse Farmer’s Market runs year-round on Saturdays from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Where: 18th & Walnut Streets, both on south sidewalk of Walnut St and west sidewalk of 18th St
What will you find? That’s why we have the:
Rittenhouse Farmer’s Market Guide
Petal Plants
Based out of Central New Jersey
Wide variety of plants & veggies to start your own urban garden
Plants aren’t sprayed (not certified Organic but follows practices)
John & Kira’s Chocolates
Gourmet chocolates in various sizes & sorts
Partner with organizations where kids grow mint, chili peppers & rosemary for Urban Garden Bars
Proceeds go back to teaching kids how to farm
No retail store but appear at Farmer’s Markets and online
Rivera Family Farms
Based out of Lancaster County
Offers a variety of fresh produce and local foods such as eggs, vegetables, free range chicken & pasture-raised beef, homemade pasta, jams & more.
Not certified organic, but the only produce sprayed are typically strawberries
Also appear at Chestnut Hill Farmer’s Market, Suburban Station & others
Soups made from scratch, based with locally sourced ingredients
Elia Malka & Kate Hartman created company after moving to Philly from NYC and wanted comfort food
I sampled the Asparagus soup, and it was DELICIOUS.
Can purchase hot soups or Frozen varieties for later
Down Home Acres
Organic produce like greens, radishes, broccoli flowers, heirloom tomatoes, peppers
Paul Crognale & Hana Payne also sell novelties like homemade serving boards
Gilbertsville, PA
Have a CSA option with pickup & drop-off options
FreshaPeel Hummus
PASA member, organic, Non-GMO and much local hummus (including oil grown in PA!)
Consider sustainable methods with packaging: Soy labels without plastic film, paper bags, reuse tasting sticks to use for gardens, etc. They even use reusable ice packs for selling
Also showcase at Downingtown Farmer’s Market & Malvern
Richard Leboon offered a sample of each hummus for me and gave great recipe ideas!
Green Aisle Grocery
Unique items like ramp butter, green sea salts, lavender hibiscus sugar, pickled asparagus & much more
Brick & Mortar store at 1618 East Passyunk Avenue
Neighborhood Foods CSA
Based out of West Philly, this CSA produce comes straight from farmers on-site
Overbrook Farms
Stoudt’s Cheese
Variety of fresh farm cheeses, often mixed with Stoudt’s infamous beer like Fat Dog
Offers breads at farmers’ markets like Chestnut Hill, Bala Cynwyd & others (but usually not Rittenhouse)
Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.
