One of the Nation’s Oldest Farmers Markets Returns to Market Square in Germantown With 20+ Vendors
Farmer’s markets are probably one of the most underrated experiences of the spring and summer months in the city. If you’re looking to get fresh produce, flowers, or just love the vibes and helping small businesses, they’re a great way to spend a summer afternoon.
If you’re looking for a Farmers Market experience, you’ll be happy to know that one of the nation’s oldest farmers markets has returned. The Germantown Farmers Market which pops up at the historic Market Square (5501 Germantown Ave.), was first established in in 1704. “Our mission is to maintain a farm to neighborhood market and respect the history of the site and neighborhood. We are so grateful for this opportunity to host an event where food access and gathering spaces are limited compared to other neighborhoods in Philadelphia,” states The Germantown Farmers Market Executive Director Billy Green.
The Germantown farmers market has a core group of vendors that attend for the whole season and a few vendors that rotate during seasonal shifts. “We aim to create a space for vendors that are just starting to get their practice up and running and whom may have been pushed out of other markets around the city due to social, physical, or financial barriers. The Germantown farmers market creates a platform for vendors of intersectional and marginalized experiences to gather and share a dynamic variety of goods that have a land based connection with the local farming community,” Billy adds.
Being a vendor and farmer at the market years prior, I wanted the historic farmers market to continue and decided to accept the opportunity to operate the market after hearing it would be ending on the first day of the season last year. This is a full time volunteer position in which the majority of other market operators receive a full year’s salary for operating a market. Participating as a volunteer market operator, who used to be vendor, has made it more about the love for the community and less about profit. The goal for this year is to bridge new partnerships and access more available resources for the park that can be used by the whole community outside of the market hours.
If you’re looking to check it out for yourself, the next market will take place on Saturday May 4th from 11 am to 3 pm and will include fresh produce vendors, plant vendors, bakeries, street food, and more. See full list of participating vendors below:
@wyncotefarm
@gtowninfohub
@maria_v_the_farmer
@tyriketaiku
@dirtytransplants
@la.llamita.vegana
@masa_discos
@claracoffeecart
@earthsideprovisions
@paulinenadersflowerfarm
@mannabakery1324
@guud_lyfe_smoothies
@funkyfreshferments
@mycopolitan
@usthaistreetfood
@goodlandsfoodco
@moe.flavor
@majdalbakery
@melmosdog
@therounds.co
@historic_germantown
@unclebobbies
@odabu_
In addition to the budding businesses that set-up shop, “the market’s main farm stand is run by a local youth agriculture high school program in the area. The market’s vendors have various offerings including fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, plants, preserves, pickles, breads, pastries, beverages, and much more,” Bill stated.
The Germantown Farmers takes place every other Saturday 11 am to 3 pm. See schedule below:
April 20th
May:4th+18th
June:1st+15th+29th
August:10th+24th
September:7th+21st
October:5th+19th
November:2+16
