An oasis in downtown New Kensington’s food desert formed on Saturday.
About a dozen vendors participated in the first of the New Ken Downtown Partnership’s new series of farmers markets.
They’re scheduled to be held weekly from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 19 on Fifth Avenue at 10th Street, outside of Voodoo Brewing.
There has not been a grocery store in Downtown New Kensington since Shop ‘n Save closed in 2020.
Participants came from near and far, including Blackberry Meadows Farm in Fawn and Conoco View Dairy in Blain, Perry County (north of Harriburg).
While Mabel Nolt and her son, Kenton Nolt, with Conoco View Dairy were offering raw cows’ milk, yogurt smoothies and mocha milk, Blackberry Meadows owner Greg Boulos was grilling eggs and sausage for breakfast sandwiches.
The first-time market was going “surprising well,” Boulos said.
“We got kind of slammed, and it was awesome,” he said. “We’re glad to be a part of it.”
Vendors will vary from week to week.
