Chestnut Hill Outdoor Market to open June 25

by GAIL COHEN

An outdoor market, with real farmers, is coming to Chestnut Hill,” announced Bob Pierson, program director of Farm to City, on Monday of this week in a conversation with the Local.

The market will open Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and every Saturday through November. The market will be located on Winston Road at its intersection with Germantown Avenue, just a few yards from the Mermaid Inn.

The farmers’ market will feature two local farmers. Daniel Landis operates his certified organic farm in Lebanon County. He will bring vegetables and herbs to the market as well as beef. Daryl Rineer, the other farmer, offers conventionally grown vegetables, berries and melons. Pierson is still looking for an orchard to offer tree fruit later in the season.

Although the market has two farmers to start, Pierson believes the market will grow if the first two farmers are successful. Success depends on strong support from the surrounding community. “It is a wonderful thing when people can meet the people who grow their food,” Pierson observed. “This is an exciting connection for residents to make and to discover the freshness of locally grown produce.” Pierson has learned over the years that the best farmers’ markets depend on strong local support for their success.

Chestnut Hill resident Jennifer Rezeli approached Pierson last year about bringing an outdoor farmers’ market to Chestnut Hill because she missed the lively experience of patronizing one. Rezeli noted, “I first moved to Chestnut Hill because it is a friendly place where you can meet all your shopping needs in a 10- minute walk, and increased access to local, fresh, organic food will simply strengthen this wonderful aspect of Chestnut Hill.”

Very little of the food consumed by Philadelphia residents is grown locally, although the area is surrounded by extensive farmland in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The farmers’ market movement in Philadelphia — now boasting over 20 local outdoor markets — is gradually changing this picture as more people discover the markets’ value to their families and communities.

Farm to City, with a street closure permit from the city, will operate the market in the short segment of Winston Road between Germantown Avenue and Mermaid Lane. This cobblestone area will also provide parking for market customers.

Bob Previdi, of the Chestnut Hill Community Association Traffic Committee, commented last week, “This market will encourage more foot traffic and shoppers on Germantown Avenue. With the recently redone pergola and the plans that the Business Improvement District has to improve the streetscape along Germantown Avenue, we are starting to see a critical mass develop that will definitely enhance Chestnut Hill.”

Philadelphia City Council recently passed a bill that codifies Farm to City’s experience in planning and operating farmers’ markets.

Farm to City, a partner in the Southeast Pennsylvania “Buy Fresh Buy Local” campaign, operates nine farmers’ markets in Philadelphia, including the Tuesday and Saturday markets on Rittenhouse Square. This Philadelphia-based small business has also assisted four South Jersey communities to start their markets. Other Farm to City efforts to unite communities, families and farmers year-round through fresh, locally grown food include its Winter Harvest and Community-Supported Agriculture programs. More information is available at www.farmtocity.org.