Phoenixville Farmers’ Market Celebrates Opening Day

At 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, the much anticipated peak season of the Phoenixville Farmers’ Market will commence.

For the 10th anniversary, the market will be celebrating with a Festival of the Honey Bee theme, featuring many honey-based treats from various vendors. In light of Mother’s Day, there will also be plenty of gifts to choose from thanks to the participating artisans. The market lasts until 1 p.m.

We chatted with Liz Andersen, the market coordinator, to find out more about this successful market, tucked away in Taylor Alley under the Gay Street Bridge.

Patch: What kind of changes should market goers anticipate this spring season?

Liz: We are hoping to continue being a family-friendly, fun market where shoppers, farmers, bakers and artisans can meet and become friends. We have some great new producers this season, like Canter Hill Farm with local lamb, The Budding Moon with local bouquets in repurposed glass containers, Mompops (whose simple fruit popsicles have recently gained a tremendous local following) and many more.
Patch: How many vendors are expected? Of them, who would you say have been the real anchors and/or celebrities of the market?

Liz: The number of vendors varies from week to week and season to season. On opening day we will have lots of extra vendors and information because we are hosting the Festival of the Honey Bee. This will include participation from 34 vendors whereas we have an average of 25-27 in the regular season.
We also have artists every second Saturday and a focus on health on the third Saturday of every month, when Phoenixville Hospital comes to do free blood pressure screenings and health education.
Patch: Any special events you're really looking forward to?

Liz: [I’m looking forward to] tomorrow's Honey Bee Festival, Wine Day on June 4, the Buy Fresh Buy Local Festival July 9 and many more later in the season
We also will be hosting  “Summer in a Jar,” a day focused on canning, because we were just awarded a grant for the "Discover You Can" program.

Patch: Because the farm-to-table roots in the area have been strong even before "buy local" became a more mainstream movement, have you seen a sharp rise in your consumer base or has it been fairly steady?

Liz: Even though our area has very strong ties to agriculture and has always been supportive of local farms, we have seen an increase in the number of people attending over the years. The "buy local" movement has certainly helped us, but I think it has also taken some people a while to find us since we are tucked behind Bridge Street.

One thing is for certain, we have some great customers in Phoenixville. Our farmers love coming to the market because it is so rewarding to sell to people who appreciate their delicious products.

For more information on opening day or the market in general, visit http://www.phoenixvillefarmersmarket.org/.