Farmers markets reopening in Westmoreland County

Farmers markets are springing up in the region, including a sale this Saturday in Greensburg.

About 15 vendors will be selling their homemade products at the farmers market from 9 a.m. to noon at Lynch Field in Greensburg, said Paul Sarver, manager of the Farmers Market Association of Central Westmoreland, which sponsors the event. The market at 520 New Alexandria Road will continue Saturday mornings until the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Sarver, who operates Sarver Hill Organic Farm off Route 66 in Hempfield, anticipates having about 15 food vendors this week selling fresh-grown produce, milk, meat and baked goods.

This early in the growing season, patrons will be able to purchase fresh root vegetables such as onions, beets, potatoes and garlic, Sarver said.

He is anticipating a good season, in part, because of the lifestyle changes that have occurred as a result of the covid pandemic over the past two years.

“People are really zoned in on homemade and homegrown food,” said Sarver, who has operated his farm since 1979. “They want to see your (grower’s) face and connect with you.”

The Greensburg-Hempfield area has had a farmers market since 1976, said Sarver, who has been manager since 1991. They have kept the focus on food and have not opened it up to crafters.

“People rely on us for their week of food,” Sarver said.

Ligonier Country Market

The Ligonier Country Market, at the field adjacent to the western entrance of East Main Street, kicks off its season May 21 and will continue each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon until Oct. 1.

The market, which attracts about 130 vendors, will take a break after Oct. 1 because of Fort Ligonier Days, a community-wide celebration, said Cari Frei, executive director of the market.

“We can average between 4,000 and 6,000 people each Saturday,” Frei said.

The traditional fresh produce is complemented with hot foods, cheese and milk, Frei said. About 30% of the 130 vendors will be selling crafts.

A “slimmed down” farmer’s market with some 40 vendors will be held at the Diamond in downtown Ligonier, from 5 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month from June through September. Prepared food purchased at the Diamond farmer’s market will be the “grab-and-go” variety, Frei said.

Bushy Run Battlefield

The Bushy Run Battlefield Market along Route 993 in Penn Township opened April 23 and will operate from 8 a.m. to noon on the fourth Saturday of the month through September.

There will be an eclectic variety of goods, such as arts, crafts, flea market items and produce. Vendors will be grouped according to the items being sold.

For more information, contact market@bushyrunbattlefield.com.

Keystone State Park

The Keystone Farmers Market at Keystone State Park will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, beginning June 5 and continuing through the end of September at the beach parking lot off Keystone State Park Road in Derry Township.

The farmers’ market usually attracts about 25 vendors. It bills itself as a “make it, bake it or grow it” market.

Latrobe

The Latrobe Farmer’s Market will be held on Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m. beginning June 7 and continuing through Oct. 18 at Legion Keener Park, 1658 Catherine St.

The market typically attracts about 20 vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and handmade art.

To sell homemade products and produce at the market, contact Greater Latrobe Parks & Recreation at craig@latroberecreation.org.

Murrysville

The Murrysville Farmers Market, featuring local produce, baked goods, pantry items, dairy products, fresh flowers and plants, honey, herbs, hot foods and weekly food trucks, will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays beginning June 2 and continuing through September at the Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company field, 3235 Sardis Road.

The market organizers stand by the philosophy of “grow it, make it, bake it” philosophy and have 100% growers. There is a waiting list for vendors to sell their products.

For more information, contact the Murrysville Recreation Department at 724-327-2100, ext. 131 or 115.

Delmont

The Delmont Farmers Market will open at the Delmont Parklet, 27 Greensburg St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 11 and continue on Saturdays through Sept. 10.

On the weekends of July 5 and Sept. 5, the market will move to Newhouse Park along Newhouse Park Road.

The market typically attracts about a dozen vendors selling fresh produce, crafts, sandwiches and pizza, said Lana Hixenbaugh, a coordinator of the market.

Irwin

The Irwin Farmers Market will open the season on May 14 and will be held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon until the end of October, said Randy Morris, who operates Morris Organic Farm near Herminie in Sewickley Township.

The Irwin market is located in an office parking lot by the Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street entrance to Irwin Park, is somewhat different than others because beer, wine and kettle corn will be sold in addition to the traditional products, Morris said. The market typically attract about 25 vendors.

“It’s been great. We’ve got a lot of good customers,” said Morris, who has been operating the farmers’ market for about 10 years.

Lower Burrell

The Lower Burrell Farmers Market will open May 28 at and continue every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 8., at 2800 Bethel St.

More vendors are being sought. For those interested, send an email to TimPamKey@yahoo.com.

Vandergrift

The Vandergrift Farmers Market will be held from 4 top 6:30 p.m. every Thursday from June 2 though Oct. 27, at the Columbia Avenue parking lot. The market features fruits, vegetables, locally-raised meats, bread, baked goods and hot food.