On May 18th, the third annual Peters Township Farmers Market opened. The first two years were extremely successful and this year they’ll have over 30 vendors, local entertainment, dining and a new Healthy Eating Series geared toward children. Products offered will include fresh produce from 5 different farmers, eggs, milk, bread, cheese, beef/chicken/pork, pasta, cured meat, condiments, wine, jams/dips, olive oil/vinegars, honey, hummus, maple syrup, organic fresh pressed juice, fresh cut flowers, prepared foods and sweet treats such as kettle corn, shaved ice, pies, cookies, biscotti and more. Local artisans will be offering handmade home and body care products, jewelry and more.
A new feature for 2016 will include a Healthy Eating Series for kids and families to further educate them on making healthy eating choices, why buying fresh/local is important and teach kids where their food comes from. The market will be setting up tours that offer customers the chance to visit local farms, like Freedom Farms, Logan Family Farms and Kern Farms, to learn more about how their food is grown. They’ll also have nutrition experts conducting kid focused, engaging activities and fun food challenges at the market. Pittsburgh Farm to Table and Pathways to Smartcare Wellness will be doing a local food challenge to engage kids on buying local and eating fresh produce. The Market will also have registered dietitian Lindsay Schmidt from USC Rec Center presenting on healthy eating habits. Health Coach Courtney Daylong will have a presentation on the effects of processed sugars vs. natural sugar on growing bodies. They're working with Tammi Hanak, a Nutrition and Wellness Coach and faculty member at Bower Hill Elementary School, where the TV show Snack Scene at 3:15 is filmed. The show features simple, healthy recipes prepared by junior chefs. She'll be filming some episodes this season at the market as well as on location at local farms. “My favorite testimonial demonstrating that our program is meaningful to our students is when we receive social media posts or pictures from home of recipes the children are duplicating or creating, At any age and grade level, I see the potential for the Snack Scene to teach our students several basic life skills about preparing healthy foods and making smarter choices that will serve them well as they mature,” said Tammi Hanak.
Most of the vendors from last year will be returning to the market, as well as some new ones. "Freedom Farms is very excited to announce that we will be returning to Peters Township for the 2016 farmers market, and we will be participating in the new Healthy Eating Series for kids. The farm is getting into full swing and we will be bringing back all those wonderful items that you have grown to love with some new and improved varieties of produce and meats." said Tim King, Farm Boss and Partner at Freedom Farms.
Each week will feature live entertainment from local performers, area children’s groups and Chef cooking demos from local restaurants and culinary schools. If you’re interested in performing, please send a message via their Facebook page or email: stdavidspeterstwp@gmail.com .
A large variety of prepared foods will also be available so patrons can sit and eat dinner while they shop and enjoy the live entertainment. There will also be mobile food trucks from Pittsburgh visiting throughout the season.
The purpose of the Market is to provide an opportunity to farmers and artisans in the region to sell what they produce directly to South Hills & Peters residents. The Board of Directors is made up of 8 local volunteer women and Rev. Kris McInnes of St. David’s Episcopal Church. The 9 of them share a passion for sustainable farming and buying local fresh products for their families. They hope to encourage relationships between producer and consumer and limit the distance food and goods travel from farm to table.
“Over the past two years the Peters Township Farmers Market has grown and flourished. This year we will be diversifying our offerings and expanding our community engagement with a new Healthy Eating Series. It is a pleasure to be a part of bringing the Market to this community each year. With it we are able to bring great food and products to our residents while fostering deeper relationships both with one another and with those who produce our food.” said Reverend Kris McInnes.
The Peters Township Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday from 3pm – 7pm at the St. David’s Episcopal Church at 905 E. McMurray Rd. Venetia, PA 15367. The Market will begin on May 18th and continue through November 23rd. For more information, to sign up for weekly newsletters and for a full list of participating vendors, please visit their website www.peterstownshipfarmersmarket.org, or “like” them on Facebook. www.facebook.com/peterstownshipfarmersmarket.
