Farmers Market

The best part about the locavore movement sweeping up the nation, is that a farmers' market is often nearby. And it's great to try the local fare regardless of where you are. A recent trip to Missouri and Kansas (OK, over the summer...) lead me to the City Market in Kansas City.

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." What will you find at Rittenhouse Farmer's Market? Here's our beginner's guide:

Heading to Rittenhouse, Headhouse, Collingswood or Bryn Mawr this weekend? There's boatloads of Farmers Markets in Philadelphia right now, so it's a great excuse to get out, meet farmers and buy local produce. Before you head over to your neighborhood market, it’s best to have a game plan to get the cream of the crop. Here, 10 tips to ensure you dominate the produce stalls like a seasoned pro.

Looking to get some volunteer hours in this summer? Want to meet locavore lovers and those who love to eat?  Farm to City has a volunteer opportunity we are sharing below: Farm to City is looking for energetic and passionate volunteers to staff an information table at our biggest market, the Saturday Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market. Volunteers will provide information and resources on vendors, community activities, and Farm to City programs including:

Let's not let Black Friday get all the glory this year. Saturday, November 24th is Small Business Saturday 2012. Celebrate by hitting up local boutiques, vintage shops, independent coffee shops, farmers markets and the like! According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses Small Business Saturday is the most important shopping day for 36% of independent retailers. Using our wallets to show support for local companies will help these businesses grow - in turn fostering the economy. So skip out on Starbucks and Target for a day or two and throw your dollars to the little guys. Philadelphia offers an abundance of options - like Arcadia boutique and One Shot Coffee in Northern Liberties, for example. Readers, any Small Business Saturday 2012 spots you plan on hitting up?

My roommate sent me a picture, panicked: I immediately was transported to one sunny spring day in 1995. The school cafeteria was chattering full of fifth graders gossiping about the previous night's forbidden 90210 episode and the new TLC song. (Find out more about the gross side of going green, after the jump!)

My CSA has officially started... and it has made me one happy woman. I picked up my friend's CSA share last summer and loved the experience. Yet after making my weekly trek to the farmer's market, I decided to bite the bullet and officially enroll for a share. After researching many local CSAs (Or Community Shared (or Supported) Agriculture), (find out more about why you should join a CSA after the jump!)

Hungry for some local & fresh produce? Good news - The Piazza at Schmidt’s has an annual Saturday afternoon Farmers Market! The Piazza Farmer’s Market imports local farmers to Northern Liberties to showcase the best local produce, meats, poultry and dairy products available in the city of Philadelphia. Kicking off last Saturday the Piazza Farmer’s Market has