Week of September 28 & October 1

Fall is officially here, and with it come changes in our weekly  market schedule.  Our final Wednesday market of the season will be next week, October 5th.  You will also notice fewer scheduled activities in our special tents.  But don't worry - there are still several weeks of Saturday markets left with your favorite fall produce, meats, baked goods, and more!  We will also be offering special workshops and demonstrations throughout the month of October.


Last week, we had lots of fun with two sets of kids' activities and some great information being shared by students from IUP!  The Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND) helped kids create their own delicious, healthy, and super cute (I mean terrifying!) apple monsters.  The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank shared information on SNAP benefits, recipes, kids' coloring and activity sheets, and a fun food group matching game.  Finally the IUP SEEDS Club (Strategies for Ecology, Education, Diversity and Sustainability) shared information about seed saving and the upcoming community seed swap.


This week, we are happy to present a beekeeping workshop with Dave Varney.  This will be an ongoing informational booth including:

* Cost to start a hive
* How to keep bees strong and healthy
* Benefits and characteristics of "real" honey
* Displays of common beekeeping tools and an empty hive

Dave's son and daughter will be on hand to chat with our younger market-goers about bees, as well.  Fun and learning for the whole family!

Our featured vendor this week is Mahoning Creek Farm of Smicksburg.  Their Angus beef, Duroc pork, and lamb can't be beat, and you can even find their pork at a couple of our local restaurants!

See you at the market!

September 21 & 24

Fall is in the air!  While we may still have a few warm weeks left, autumn is definitely upon us, and the are signs all around the market - pumpkins, apples, winter squash, and more.  Be sure to stop by to snatch up the last of your summer favorites and enjoy the first tastes of the new season.

Last week, we celebrated all things Health & Wellness thanks to some excellent groups and activities in our special tents.  Dietetics Interns from IUP's Department of Food & Nutrition occupied two of our tents and provided information about fermented and probiotic-rich foods, samples of a yummy mango yogurt smoothie, and fun with food science making watermelon treats for the kids.  John Baker cooked up nutritious and tasty samples, and Gatti Pharmacy shared information about their services and new location, along with cool color-changing cups.

This week, we are looking forward to another lively market.  The Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND) from IUP will offer suggestions for healthy Halloween treats.  IUP's SEEDS Club will be on hand with information and seed packets.  SNAP Outreach joins us with program information, recipe cards, and coloring pages and a food group matching game for the kids.  We will also have information about an upcoming seed swap event.

Our featured vendor this week is Healthy Harvest Gardener.  You surely have noticed Michael's bright green wheatgrass ready for juicing fresh on the spot, along with wild foraged mushrooms, gourmet garlic, and a variety of other produce.  Stop in and try something new!

Thank you to the IUP Department of Food and Nutrition for sharing this tasty recipe!

SAND (the Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics) provides members with professional involvement in food and nutrition activities as they develop their career potential.

The SEEDS Club of IUP stands for Strategies for Ecology, Education, Diversity and Sustainability and is a program of the Ecological Society of America.

The mission of the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is to feed people in need and mobilize our community to eliminate hunger.

The 3rd Annual Community Seed Swap will be held Saturday, November 12 and is part of a larger project that will help to begin the Northern Appalachian Seed Bank.

See you at the market!

Week of September 14 & 17

Get healthy at the farmers' market!  The theme of last year's Customer Appreciation Day was Health & Wellness, and it was such a big hit, we gave the subject it's own day again this year!

Terms like health & wellness bring to mind so many different ideas and images, and there are certainly many approaches to achieving them.  But, most would agree, lots of fresh, local (and delicious) fruits and veggies is a great place to start!  Join us as we learn new ways of preparing your favorite market produce and share tips for living a healthy lifestyle.

Last week, we enjoyed another lively Saturday at the market!  The League of Women Voters registered voters in the Community Tent, and Charity Brubaker presented her original paintings in the Artisan Tent.  Kendra Fairman of the Wise Women Natural Health Collective provided activity for all ages, including samples of fire cider and a fun market scavenger hunt for the kids!

You might have also seen our booth at the Northern Appalachian Folk Festival over the weekend.  Thanks to all who stopped by!

This week, we celebrate all things health & wellness.  Dietetics Interns from IUP's Department of Food & Nutrition will be on hand in two of our special tents this week.  The Community Tent will feature information and samples of fermented and probiotic-rich foods, and the Kids' Tent will have fun with food science while making tasty fruit sorbet.  We also welcome former professor of Hotel Restaurant Management at IUP, John Baker, to the Artisan Tent for cooking demonstrations.  Gatti Pharmacy rounds out the lineup.

Our featured vendor this week is Shine Natural Beauty - the best smelling booth at the market!  Shine features homemade goat milk soap and a variety of other products.  They make great gifts!

See you at the market!

Week of September 7 & 10

Autumn may be upon us, but the market is still in full swing!  Be sure to stop by for your favorite produce, baked goods, and family fun on your way to the Northern Appalachian Folk Festival downtown this weekend!

Last week, we had a full lineup of amazing special tents.  The highlight was certainly another cooking demonstration with delicious samples by chef Josh Truitt.  The menu this time included hot dogs, chanterelle mushroom toast, sweet corn succotash, balsamic beets, and melon with fresh herbs - Yum!

We also enjoyed speaking with members of the Women's Club of IUP.  They raised money for their scholarship fund by sharing the Club's own community cookbook and free samples of one of the recipes.  Jackie Montgomery filled the Artisan Tent with her Terrible Towel apparel, and kids of all ages enjoyed playing and singing with Music Together.  It was an awesome market with weather to match!

This week, the fun continues.  We are looking forward to seeing a new artist, Charity Brubaker, and her original paintings in the Artisan Tent.  The League of Women Voters will be on hand in the Community Tent for voter registration.  Finally, we welcome back Kendra Fairman of the Wise Women Natural Health Collective.  She will demonstrate how to make fire cider and provide samples.  She is also putting together a scavenger hunt for the kids that is sure to be lots of fun.  What a great way to explore the market and discover something new!

Our featured vendor this week is Longview Farm and Apiary, and first-year vendor at the market.  While Emily specializes in honey and cut flowers, you can also find a variety of tasty produce, beeswax lip balm, and more!

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Wise Women Natural Health Collective exists to provide examplary health care to its participants physically, mentally, and spiritually through a variety of services by trained credentialed practitioners.  Wise Women has the wider goal of addressing the wellness of the whole person and to create a joyful supportive "village" through its community initiatives. 

What is fire cider?

Save the Date!!
Health & Wellness Day is Saturday, September 17th!

All of our special tents and activities will be focused on healthy living, including Food Science Fun with fruit sorbet and information and samples of fermented foods with dietetics interns from IUP and chef demonstrations with Nick Karas of Nap's Cucina Mia.

Follow our Facebook event for details and updates!

See you at the market!