Outdoor community farmers markets are a Bucks County summertime staple, where the only tomatoes better tasting than those from a local purveyor’s table are those straight off a home-grown vine.
Look for ruby red strawberries and tomatoes, rich leafy greens, carefully crafted coffee, artisan breads, cupcakes, cookies, granola, field-grown flowers, local honey, beer, wine and distilled spirits throughout Bucks County’s farmers market offerings.
“Our vendors love our market, and they tell us they are more successful at our market or say ‘it’s our best market,’” said Linda Reid, Perkasie Borough assistant manager and the borough’s farmers market director.
Brian F. Moyer, an extension program specialist at Penn State Extension Service in Allentown, Lehigh County, said farmers markets represent about $100 million in annual revenue across the commonwealth.
While the lion’s share of weekly farmers market customers are aged 50 or older, a fast-growing demographic of 30 to 40-year-olds are also frequenting seasonal farmers markets, Moyer said.
In addition to putting gorgeous local produce and products on the table, he said many patrons prefer buying local because they want to know where their food is coming from.
“With food prices fluctuating in the retail environment farmers market vendors have not been raising their prices. We found they are not [generally] passing those additional costs onto their customers,” Moyer said.
He noted the “myth” that farmers markets are more expensive than grocery stores doesn’t hold up to scrutiny – especially when seasonal items like strawberries and tomatoes come in.
“With strawberries, for example, you won’t find any better tasting” than from the local farmers market, Moyer said.
The social quality of farmers markets – where patrons are typically relaxed, spaces are welcoming and customers linger over coffee or a bite to eat – is palpable.
Reid said Perkasie is a dog friendly market located in a walkable downtown community where residents often walk to the Saturday morning market.
“They love to get up on a Saturday morning, meet up with their friends and neighbors and bring their dogs,” she explained.
Well-behaved, socialized and leashed dogs are welcome at the Perkasie outdoor market and August brings with it plenty of dog-friendly events.
Perkasie reflects the “Dog Days of August” with dog-friendly vendors selling treats, leashes, bones, bandanas and T-shirts. This year’s “Dog Days” market will be held August 23. Look for markets offering Halloween “trick or treat” times where kids – and even dogs – are out and about in their costumed finest.
Many outdoor community markets are dog-friendly places.
For those who prefer to buy directly from the grower/producer consider purchasing a monthly or seasonal Community Supported Agriculture or CSA harvest “share.”
CSA farmers sell directly to the public, offering boxed weekly items fresh from the field and their rotating harvests. Rates and pick up schedules are posted by individual farms.
Moyer said for those interested in seeking a CSA program for weekly produce offerings, talk to local farmers market vendors.
“Many farmers at the markets also offer CSA shares,” Moyer said.
CSAs are tagged on the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance online map, as well as an alphabetical ordered listing of its participating CSA farms.
In addition to putting gorgeous local produce and products on the dinner table, Moyer said “knowing where your food comes from” is among the reasons community farmers markets are increasingly popular.
“With food prices fluctuating in the retail environment farmers market vendors have not been raising their prices. We found they are not [generally] passing those additional costs onto their customers,” Moyer explained.
He recommends newcomers to any farmers market look for an information table to check if vendors accept SNAP or other nutritional benefits programs vouchers or cards.
Some markets offer loyalty “punch” cards with opportunities for drawings to win market products or baskets; or to take advantage of vendor discounts.
Bucks Happening and Visit Bucks County offer links to a variety of farmers markets, indoor and year-round public markets and independent farm retail stands and markets.
Many locations, like Trauger’s Farm in Kintnersville, offer an onsite farm market for shoppers.
“More people want to buy their food this way, and much younger people are buying food this way,” Moyer explained.
Community farmers markets include multiple vendors and most require vendors to grow, make or produce what they bring to market to sell.
Most farmers markets are open weekly on Saturdays or Sundays. Many are open for the season and run through fall harvest. Check market listing websites for specific details.
“Have conversations with vendors. They love to talk about their practices, and they’re happy to share about their products and offerings,” Moyer said.
A sampling of markets open for business in and around Bucks County includes:
Clean Green Growers Farmstand, 224 Detweiler Road, Sellersville offers a retail farm store; farmers market stand appearances, an online store and “Free-Choice” CSA program.
Doylestown Farmers Market, South Hamilton Street between West Oakland Avenue and West State Street, Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., EBT/SNAP accepted.
Newtown Farmers Market 2150 South Eagle Road, open weekly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Check website for hours.
Perkasie Farmers Market, 620 West Chestnut Street, outdoor community market, live music, multiple vendors weekly; dog friendly, open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Plumsteadville Grange Farmers Market, Route 611, 5927 Easton Road, Pipersville, open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Snipes Farm Market, 890 West Bridge Street, Morrisville, open Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Snipes Farm & Education Center offers educational programs including summer nature camps for youngsters.
Wrightstown Farmers Market, Middletown Grange, 576 Penns Park Road, Newtown, open Saturdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; accepts SNAP.
Yardley Farmers Market, Buttonwood Park, Yardley, open Saturdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For Upper Bucks County residents the Coopersburg Farmers Market, located at 5 North Main Street, Coopersburg, Lehigh County, is open Sundays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m; live music and dog friendly.
Bucks County Foodshed Alliance offers a list of its operated farmers markets.
Visit Bucks County offers a list of onsite farm retail markets, farm stands and local producers.
