Shopping at your community farmers market has so many benefits! Eating locally grown food is not only good for you, it’s also good for the environment and the local economy, too. Plus, the fresh-air vibe can’t be beat.

So while the season is here, skip the grocery store and shop one of these local weekday or weekend farmers markets. Grab a cup of fresh-roasted coffee and browse the tents of vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables. Chat with the local farmers and producers. Then fill your re-usable bag with seasonal produce, pasture-raised meats and eggs, fresh breads, cheese, and other handmade goods. It’s fun and tasty outing for the whole family.

Weekend Markets

Ambler

27 West Butler Pike, Ambler
Saturdays, 9 am–12 pm (starting May 6, 2023)

Located in the heart of downtown Ambler, this “producer only” market is run by Farm to City, a Philadelphia-based business that is dedicated to the local food movement. In fact, all of Farm to City’s markets are producer-only. That means that the produce or goods must be farmed or made by the vendor that you meet at market. Some of the regular vendors you’ll find at Ambler include Haven Farmstead, Frecon Farms, Apple Tree Goat Farm, and Pennypack Farm. Other vendors include Kismet Bagels, Forest & Main, Five Saints Distiling and more.

Bala Cynwyd

One Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd
Saturdays, 10 am–2 pm (Starting June 6, 2023)

Farm to City opened it’s 13th Philadelphia-area farmers market this summer in Bala Cynwyd. As the biggest farmers market organizer in our area, Farm to City continues to connect the city and its suburbs with farms and food producers from our nearby rural areas. This burgeoning market features Clean Green Growers, Hands on the Earth Orchards, and Heavy Metal Sausage Company. You’ll also find High Street Bakery and Attic Brewing Company, and more on its growing list of vendors.

Berwyn

Handel’s Parking Lot, 511 Old Lancaster Road, Berwyn
Sundays, 10 am–1 pm (starting May 7, 2023)

Established in 2023 by Culinary Harvest, the Berwyn Farmers Market aims to provide an immersive shopping and community experience. Founders Carlo Luciano and Sam Kennedy have curated a substantial line up of vendors to bring locally grown and artisanal-made food to the market. This new market expands the farm-to-table connection for Main Line residents, who in return are directly supporting these small businesses.

Bryn Mawr

The Bryn Mawr Station, Lancaster Avenue (between N Bryn Mawr and Morris Avenues)
Saturdays, 9 am–1 pm (starting May 6, 2023)

Bryn Mawr is undoubtedly Farm to City‘s biggest and most established market in the suburbs. Situated at the Bryn Mawr train station, this long-running farmers market is a community hub. The market hosts vendors from all around Southeastern PA and consequently, you could do the bulk of your shopping here. You’ll find pasture-raised meat and eggs, small batch honey, and multiple produce farmers. There’s also artisanal cheese and breads, mushrooms, pickles, coffee, and much more. You can even get your kitchen knives sharpened by Neil’s Sharpening Service! He’s a traveling tradesman who makes the rounds at more than 10 area farmers markets. The Bryn Mawr farmers market also has limited hours in the winter months.

Downingtown

Kerr Park, 28 E Pennsylvania Avenue, Downingtown
Saturdays, 9 am–1 pm (starting May 6, 2023)

The Downingtown farmers market is part of the Growing Roots organization, which manages farmers markets in Chester and Berks Counties. Some of the vendors you’ll find here are Cherry Blossom Farm and Mad Radish Farm for produce, Gauker Farms for meats, Green Lion Breads, Warwick Furnace Farms for lavender and body products, and Heart Stone Pastry for sweets. Check their webpage for the full list of producers at the market each week.

Lansdowne Farmers Market

30 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne
Saturdays, 9 am–1 pm (starting May 27, 2023)

Head to the heart of Lansdowne where you can find fresh food and good fun at the farmers market. In the warmer months, the market is brimming with seasonal vegetables, fruits, and herbs, cheeses, freshly baked breads and pastries, coffee, tea, wine and spirits, honey, flowers and loads of other handmade goods. While at the market, grab breakfast, lunch, or a sweet treat from the one of the prepared foods vendors.

Malvern

Warren Avenue and, Roberts Road, Malvern
Saturdays, 9 am–1 pm (starting April 29, 2023)

Head to Burke Park in Malvern for the weekly farmers market organized by Growing Roots, which also manages the Downingtown and Eagleview markets. Some of the farm vendors gathered here include B&H Organic Produce, Fungified Farm, Fiddle Creek Dairy, Full Circle CSA, and Wyebrook Farm. Looking for a sweet treat or baked goods? There’s something for everyone with Every Soul Vegan Bakery, Green Lion Breads, Heart Stone Pastry, SWheat Escape, and VeggieLicious. Check the Malvern webpage for the full list of producers at the market each week.

Media

Edgemont Street (between Front and State Streets)
Sundays, 10 am–1 pm (weekly market starts May 7, 2023)

The Media farmers market is a producer-only market organized by Farm to City in partnership with a group of community volunteers who are passionate about the “Eat Fresh, Buy Local” movement. For the most part, the vendors are located within 150 miles of Media Borough. Some of the hyper-local vendors are Pasture Song Farm, a pasture-raised meat producer; Robin Hill Organics, a produce farm in Newtown Square; and Media’s very own Sharrah Orchards. Other regulars at the Media farmers market include Milk Jawn ice cream, A Taste of Puebla Mexican food, and Madi’s On A Roll, a specialty egg roll maker. What’s more, on the first Sunday of each month, Neil’s Sharpening Service is at the Media market so you can get your kitchen knives sharpened. Check the market webpage to see which vendors will be coming each week.

Phoenixville

200 Mill Street, Phoenixville 19460 (under Veterans Memorial Gay Street Bridge)
Saturdays, 9 am–12 pm (year-round)

The Phoenixville farmers market was started back in 2002 with the help of the Food Trust. As a result, the market played a role in revitalizing downtown Phoenixville, providing access to fresh local food, as well as a friendly, community hub. Nowadays the market hosts up to 18 farm vendors including Charlestown Farm and Camphill Village Dairy, 13 artisanal food producers, bakers such as Sweetwater Baking Company, plus handmade goods and services. And on the second Saturday of each month, bring your dull knives because Neil’s Sharpening Service travels to the Phoenixville farmers market!

Swarthmore

121 Park Avenue, Swarthmore
Saturdays, 9 am–12 pm (starting May 13, 2023)

The Swarthmore farmers market was created to be the Saturday morning food, art, and community gathering destination for people in Swarthmore, as well as the surrounding communities. Organized by by Farm to City, with support from the Swarthmore Town Center, this thriving, producer-only market is a popular community destination. Presently, some of the vendors that you’ll find most Saturdays at the Swarthmore farmers market are Beechwood Orchards, Big Sky Bread, Kneehigh Farm, Rafiki Shoppe, and Triple Bottom Brewing — just to name a few. Locals tip: If you drive to the market, park on Myers Avenue where there’re always plenty of spots!

Upper Merion Farmer’s Market

Nor-View Farm, 670 North Henderson Road, King of Prussia
Saturdays, 9 am–1 pm (weekly market starts May 13, 2023)

The Upper Merion Farmers Market has been bringing farm-fresh food and sustainable products to the community since 2010. The market features more than two dozen local farmers and producers like microgreen producer Nyce Farms, meat producers Windy Springs Farms and Spring Creek Farms, Lancaster County produce farmer Jonas Miller, and many more. After you fill your bag with fresh food from the farmers, save room for locally roasted coffee, homemade cupcakes, macarons, and other sweet treats.

West Chester Growers Market

201 N Church Street, West Chester
Saturdays, 9 am–1 pm (weekly market starts May 2023)

The West Chester Growers Market has a saying on its website that says, “Shake the hand the feeds you.” Essentially this sums up the mission of this producer-only market: meet the farmers and producers who grow and make your food. And since 1995, this market has been doing just that—bringing local food producers and shoppers together at the corner of Church and Chestnut Streets in the borough of West Chester. It began with just 10 farmers, but nowadays, the market has grown to include a wide variety of local farmers, artisans, bakers, and growers. To enhance your experience while shopping, the market schedule includes many customer appreciation events including music, activities for the kids, and giveaways.

Weekday Markets

Eagleview

Eagleview Town Center, 570 Wellington Square, Exton
Thursdays, 3–6:30 pm (weekly market starts May 4, 2023)

The Eagleview farmers market is handy for picking up fresh, local food during the week. Another of the Growing Roots-run markets, Eagleview features many of the same vendors you’ll find at their weekend locations.

Kennett Square Farmers Market

The Creamery of Kennett Square, 401 Birch Street, Kennett Square
Fridays, 3–6 pm (year-round)

The Kennett Square Farmers Market has been providing shoppers with fresh, locally grown or produced goods in a welcoming community setting since 2000. The market is run by the Kennett Collaborative, a non-profit organization that manages a lineup of vendors that changes a bit each week. Visit their website to see their full list of vendors. Or better yet, sign up for their newsletter to know exactly who will be at market each Friday.

Oakmont Farmers Market

Grace Chapel parking lot, 1 W. Eagle Road, Havertown
Wednesdays, 2:30–5:30 pm (weekly market starts May 3, 2023)

Rain or shine, come out to Oakmont Farmers Market on Wednesdays to “Buy Fresh, Buy Local”. Run by the all-volunteer, Haverford Township Farmers Market Association, this producer-only market features locally farmed vegetables, fruit, cheese, eggs and poultry, beef, lamb, wine, beer and other sustainably made products.

Lead photograph courtesy of Photo by R. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADLEPHIA®.