Open every Saturday on Penn Avenue in the bustling Pittsburgh Strip District, Farmers@Firehouse is a very popular Farmers Market known for its high quality, mostly organic seasonal produce. Each farm vendor that is not certified organic must agree to and meet a minimum set of standards to be included in this market as sustainable. Along with seasonal produce, expect to find baked goods, ethnic foods and fresh flowers.
The City of Pittsburgh hosts six Farmers' Markets in different city neighborhoods during the summer and fall. All markets offer farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese and baked goods; some also sell flowers, small gifts and gardening items. Locations include the downtown Pittsburgh City-County building, East Park on the North Side, Highland Park (usually offers the greatest variety), the Carrick Shopping Center, the South Side and East Liberty. Each location has is open on a specific weekday, and hours vary by location. They typically run from mid-May through mid-November.
A variety of other farmer's markets and farm stands sell fresh produce and other farm goods all over the greater Pittsburgh area. Try these links to find information on a farmer's market near you:
Pittsburgh Farmer's Markets & Farm Stands
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Another option for the adventurous who really enjoy farm-fresh produce is a farm-based produce subscription, otherwise referred to as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. CSA is a sort of cooperative between the farm and individual subscribers. You subscribe for a season and, in return, you receive a weekly or monthly basket of fresh produce, fruits, flowers, eggs, milk or other farm products.CSA programs come in various shapes and sizes. The length of the subscription and the type of produce and farm products that you will receive vary from program to program. A CSA season typically runs from late spring through early fall, although this varies by farm and program. The type and quantity of produce you can expect to receive can also vary between programs. One Pittsburgh CSA farm, for example, offers a six-week fresh greens subscription. Some farms require that you pick the produce up at the farm, while others will deliver to your door, or to a neighborhood dropoff point. CSA offers you the opportunity to try a wide variety of fresh produce, and enjoy it fresh from the field. As an added bonus, most CSAs are certified organic or use organic methods.
Pittsburgh Area CSA Farms & Produce Subscriptions
If you can't get to the farmer's market and CSA's aren't for you, you can still enjoy fresh Pennsylvania grown produce. Just look for the Simply Delicious, Simply Nutritious promotion in area supermarkets.
