Just Passing By!

The Main Street Farmers' Market - Washington, PA

LFLF was "just passing by" today in Washington, PA while the market was in full swing.  I was fortunate enough to be stopped right in front of the market for the traffic light & snapped a couple of pictures out of the window!  How's that for dedicated reporting?  :)

Shoppers At The Main Street Farmers' Market

We couldn't stop at the market, but the rib vendor set up right a the entrance was doing some brisk business and it smelled great!   I'd love to get back sometime this summer when the market is in full swing.  This market community is also in the process of building open pavillions to cover the market area & is currently doing fund raising ...

Local Wines

It's been a little while since we've had a post on this blog ..... Based on other activities, we've had to miss several farmers' markets, but we did participate in the Waynesburg Sheep & Fiber Fest  last weekend.  The festival is a supporter of local fiber arts and local agriculture.  Sunny Sprouts Greenhouse from West Newton was at the festival for the 1st time and we also had 2 local wineries, Thistlethwaite Vineyards & Plum Run Winery. Plum Run is know for their selection of fruit wines and they can also be found as a vendor periodically at the Main Street Farmers' Market of Washington, PA .
LFLF did make it to the Beaver Farmers' Market on Saturday, but it was POURING RAIN and it wasn't the best time to take pictures.  FYI, Robin of Ridgemont Farms was there for the first time this season with her wonderful cut flowers!  

LFLF Finds Foodie Stash!

All winter long, we have been reading email updates from the Main Street Farmers' Market of Washington, PA.   They have been able to extend the local food season through the generosity of the local florist.   The Ivy Green is located along the parking lot that hosts the farmers' market "in season".  In the off-season, the market vendors have been bringing their specialties to The Ivy Green where they can be purchased throughout the week.  While passing through "Little Washington" last Friday, LFLF grabbed the opportunity to stop and shop!  We found a nice selection of local items including heads of hydroponic lettuce, cheeses, breads, chicken, canned & frozen beef, jams & jellies, & baked goods.  
We left with farmers' cheese & biscotti, but you could have had any of these great items ..... mmmmmm!

Cheeses from Emerald Valley Farm.

Canned & frozen beef from Strath an De Farm.

Fresh baked breads from The Wood Street Bread Company.

Soup mixes and frozen chickens from Tally Hollow Farm, a project of Sustaining Greene County.  We first met up with the Sustaining Green County non-profit in 2005 and it's been interesting watching the farm & projects develop.    

I'll bet everyone is waiting for the farmers' market to open for the 2010 season. Thanks to the folks at The Ivy Green for allowing LFLF to take pictures and share!  

More Farmers' Markets Opening Schedules

Here's a note from the Pittsburgh BusinessTimes about the Market Square Farmers' Market opening on Thursday.
"Pittsburgh's only mostly organic farmers' market", Farmers at the Firehouse is opening this year on May 9th.
Waynesburg Prosperous and Beautiful is opening their Waynesburg Farmers' Market season this year on Wednesday May 13th with afternoon hours and a new location in Waynesburg.
The Main Street Farmers' Market of Washington, PA will be opening on Thursday May 14th. It looks like they have a gift certificate program this year ..... check out the "Market Dollars".
And in the Laurel Highlands region, where it stays cooler later into the season, the farmer operated Somerset County Farmers' Market will open their popular market on Saturday May 30th.