174 -Grower and Marketer, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 26,2002 A Garden Grows In Philadelphia (Continued from Paoe 1) While “the mixed vegeta ble grower is the bread and butter of the markets,” sev eral farmers also offered home-grown meats and animal products, including beef, lamb, poultry, milk, eggs, and cheese, said Matthew Wright, market di rector. Orchard fruits are the second top-selling category behind mixed vegetables, he said. The Food Trust sets up markets in partnership with local community groups such as a Chamber of Commerce. Establishing a strong com munity connection results in a bond of loyalty between farmers and their customers, according to Wright. “Neighborhoods really take ownership in the mar kets,” he said. “People know each other by name.” Wright noted several cases in which locals have pitched in, helping farmers set up and manage their stands. The excitement of a weekly farmer’s market enhances the environment even in “un glamorous locations” and some of the markets “almost become a town center,” Wright said. The Trust strives to elimi nate any worries that farmers may have about parking dif ficulties or the safety of mar keting in urban settings. “There’s a lot of misper ception about coming to market in an urban environ ment,” Wright said. “Our role is to eliminate security and parking problems.” Perry said that farmers are matched to markets accord ing to the type of products they offer, and are encour- Greenhouse tomatoes, with the advantage of this warmer urban microclimate, produce until Christmas. aged to go to multiple mar kets. The direct marketing expe rience can be contagious, with many farmers commit ting to two or three markets “Once they get involved, they get bit with the bug,” he said. Growers typically bring in from $5OO to $BOO for one morning or afternoon market, with some exceeding $l,OOO per day during peak vegetable season, according to Perry. However, it takes some time to garner a customer base that will bring maxi mum returns, Perry noted. “New farmers (at the mar kets) should have reasonable expectations,” he said. “Food shopping is habitual. It takes a long time to establish.” Farmers pay $32 per week to participate in one market. Additional markets are $24 per week, with the exception of “upscale” markets, which still require the higher fee, Perry said. New markets slated to open for the 2002 season in clude one each in Telford, Phoenixville, and Norris town. A $lOO “reward” is being offered to anyone referring a farmer who signs up for a market. The Food Trust partners with the Pennsylvania De partment of Agriculture, which helps the Trust un derwrite advertisements and sponsor food programs such as those offered for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and seniors. The Food Trust also has an educational component, with a team working in schools to affect policy and provide in- formation on nutrition, sus tainable agriculture, and entrepreneurship. Contact The Food Trust at (215) 568-0830 ext. 11, fax (215) 568-0882. A lesson well learned... Lancaster Farming’s classified ads get results! FLOWER BULBS for Roadside and Farm Market Sales or Garden Beauty Our catalog lists 100 selections of gladiolus including Pixiglads, Dahlias, Asiatic Lilies, Callas, and others; Offers commercial collections, bulbs for counter resale, cultural information and pesticides... Sent FREE on request The Waushara Gardens Plainfield, Wl 54966 e-mail L skimel@umontel.net , Greensgrow includes a flower garden and offers a spr ingtime bedding plant sale. Shown is Mary Corboy with Cramer’s Amazon, a type of Celosia. • Low Rates per Acre* •Lower Costs, Higher Yields* Nutra-Flo* Pure Grade™ Liquid Plant Food has the highest nutrient usability available. When applied in-furrow, 2x2, foliar or in a transplant solution you have the ability to achieve greater fertilizer efficiency with lower rates equaling greater profits. 5-15-15 9-18-9 0-0-30 20-0-0-8 Low-Salt • Chloride-Free • Neutral pH • 100% Available PARS, Inc. Elizabethtown 800-929-2676 Charlie Bomgardner Annville 717-867-2890 Herb Fritz Orangeville 570-683-5950 Doug Wood Little Britain Agri-Supply Millerstown Quarryville 717-694-3648 717-629-2196 Contact a Pennsylvania Nutra-Flo® Dealer TODAY! Kevin Grubb New Enterprise 814-766-3576 Art Benjamin Lancaster 717-892-1556 Romberger Farm Supply Klingerstown 570-648-2081
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers