Opening Day at Phoenixville Farmers' Market - May 4th

The Phoenixville Farmers’ Market is thrilled to announce its opening day of its 12th season on May 4, 2013 under the Gay Street Bridge in downtown Phoenixville! Shoppers will hardly recognize our site thanks to the efforts of Harkins Builders who together with several of their subcontractors, Brubacher Excavating, Drumheller Concrete, MK Builders and Reel Electric, built a performance stage, installed new gravel, concrete and new walkways, as well as pedestrian friendly rubber mulch in our seating area.  The idea for the improvements hatched when market shopper, Steve Young, an employee of Harkins Builders, asked what improvements his company might make to enhance the market site.  Harkins Builders is general contractor specializing in multi-family construction, serving the Mid-Atlantic region with offices in Media, Pa, Marriottsville, MD and Tysons Corner, VA. They are building an affordable housing project in North Phoenixville and wanted to give back to the community to create a lasting benefit.  They agreed to create a performance space and a better connection between the upper and lower sections of the market. Lauren Eustis and Tom Carnevale volunteered to work with Jean Krack and the borough to design the project.  The market thanks everyone involved for initiating and installing a true community asset that will benefit Phoenixville.  Of course the Market also thanks the Borough of Phoenixville for allowing the use of this beautiful location that provides great space for our producers, protection from sun and rain, and also offers shade and grassy areas along French Creek. The Market will be open every Saturday from 9:00am until 1:00pm, May 4 through November 16, providing the local, farm fresh food that our customers have come to value and enjoy.  Free parking is conveniently located right next to the Market in Municipal lot 4, accessed by Taylor Alley. 

The Phoenixville Farmers’ Market is a producer/grower market committed to supporting local farms and preserving local agriculture, building community in downtown Phoenixville, improving health through nutrition education, increasing access to fresh, nutritious food, and encouraging the development of a local, sustainable economy

The opening day market will feature food and handmade products from a variety of local providers including:

• Freshly made guacamole from Anita’s Guacamole
• Strikingly beautiful serveware from Artifact
• Coffee and cold drinks from Artisan’s Café
• Pasture-raised buffalo from Backyard Bison
• Local honey from Baues’ Busy Bees
• Local cheeses, veal & beef from  Birchrun Hills Farm
• Local vegetables from Charlestown Farm
• Nutrient dense lacto fermented foods from Cucina Verde
• Poultry and eggs and beef from Deep Roots Valley Farm
• Luscious soaps from Ellen April
• Tasty and unique hummus from FreshaPeel
• Hanging baskets and bedding plants from  Huyard’s Farm
• Cupcakes from ICED by Betsy
• Produce & plants from Jack’s Farm
• Artisan gelato from Jenny and Frank’s Artisan Gelato
• Chocolates from John & Kira’s
• Gluten free baked goods from Marci’s Morsels
• Fruit popsicles from Mompops
• Artisan nut butters from Naughty Nutty Love
• Mushrooms from Oley Valley Mushroom
• Local wine from Paradocx Vineyard
• Produce and baked goods from Peach Bottom Farm
• Matcha Tea from Pureblend Tea
• Soy candles from Pure Scents Candle
• Bread & baked goods from St. Peter’s Bakery & Cafe
• Goat cheese & products from Shellbark Hollow Farm
• Hot off the griddle sandwiches from the Sunflower Truck Stop
• Breads, rolls & granola from Sweetwater Baking Co.
• Fresh pasta & sauce from Vera Pasta

More providers, new and old, will join the Market as their crops come into season. A complete list of providers can be found on our website at http://www.phoenixvillefarmersmarket.org/providers

We have great plans for the 2013 season.  Beginning on opening day, shoppers will be able to by Phoenixville Farmers’ Market bags to carry all of their market goodies.  Again, the bags represent a community effort.  PAEDCO is providing seed money for the initial purchase of the bags.  Phoenixville resident Tom Bromley designed the artwork in this effort that is spearheaded by John Luttman. Consistent with the Market’s commitment to sustainability, the bags are made out of recycled natural cotton in the USA.  They will be for sale at the market table every Saturday.

As in the past, each week local musicians will entertain shoppers and farmers with live music.

On the Second Saturday of each month, we have a Festival featuring a band, and local artists join us to sell unique, locally made functional art.  The Third Saturday of each month is Health day.  Phoenixville Hospital joins us to provide health education and FREE blood pressure screenings.  Nutritional and wellness experts also join us on the third Saurday.  New this year is our “Phoenixville on the Fourth” Saturday when local businesses will set up informational tables to let shoppers know how many wonderful business are in the downtown.  Two Phoenixville artisan producers, Bridge Street Chocolates and Walnut Creek Winery, will sell their great products on the market on the Fourth Saturday as well.

The market is always family-friendly -- providing a children’s area at the Market Information table each week with books, toys, and crafts. Weekly massage is offered by four local businesses, Gateway Body Works, Back to Health, Ocean Earn Wind Fire and Mindful Body and Soul on a rotating schedule.

Customers can find out about what’s happening at the market by checking our website:

www.phoenixvillefarmersmarket.org, where they can sign up for our e-newlstter.

They can find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phoenixville-Farmers-Market/212007240376

Or they can follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PXVMarket