The Collegeville Farmers Market, a producer-only market featuring products produced and grown locally, announces its acceptance into the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s PA Preferred® Program.   PA Preferred® is Pennsylvania’s branding program for all products that come from the Pennsylvania agriculture industry.  The PA Preferred® branding helps customers identify Pennsylvania-sourced products when they shop and dine.  PA Preferred® means that the product is grown, harvested, processed and produced in Pennsylvania.

According to Peter Witmer of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, “Not only is agriculture Pennsylvania's leading industry, but our state's products have earned a worldwide reputation for quality.  PA Preferred® is a program designed to identify these locally sourced Pennsylvania products and help you find your way to them.”

In a state where one in seven jobs is related to agriculture, according to the state Department of Agriculture, buying local supports not only the state's farms but also the overall economic well-being of Pennsylvania.  PA Preferred® products are easily identified because the PA Preferred® logo is displayed on product packaging, signage, and other promotional material in grocery store aisles, at farm markets, in restaurants, and at other wholesale and retail outlets where Pennsylvania products are proudly offered.  The program seeks out agricultural products local to Pennsylvania and aims to bring them together with consumers.  Ninety-three percent of Pennsylvanians want to buy and use locally-sourced product.  Witmer adds, “By choosing PA Preferred® products, you support local producers and thereby the local economy, enjoy optimal freshness, quality and taste; and benefit the environment as a result of minimal product transportation.”

Frecon Farms and Joe Paws Dog Bakery, vendors at the Collegeville Farmers Market, are also PA Preferred® Program participants.  Linda Flederbach, co-owner of Joe Paws Dog Bakery says, “We try to buy as many of our products from local vendors.  It is good to support other local retailers, to have a relationship with the supplier, and to know where your product comes from. We have started purchasing our beef liver from Red Haven Farm, a vendor at the Market and will buy our chicken liver from them this summer. Our rye flour is ground especially for us by Echo Hill in Fleetwood, PA because they understand how course we want the flour to be and grind it to our specifications.  We support local businesses and get the quality product that we are looking for.” 

          The market is held each Saturday through November 19th from 9 AM to 1 PM in Vince Raffeo’s parking lot behind the Benjamin Moore Paint Store/Collegeville Home and Blend Café (460 E. Main St.).  Twenty vendors selling bedding plants, early spring vegetables, baked goods, cheeses, local wines, honey, flowers and herbs, fresh eggs, organically grown poultry, grass fed beef, pastured pork, grass fed lamb and a wide selection of homemade products, herbal remedies, gourmet dog treats and crafts are expected for the Market’s Grand Opening on June 18th.

To receive updates on what the farmers will be selling each week throughout the market season and about market specials, sign up to receive the weekly Collegeville Farmers’ Market newsletter at www.collegevillefarmersmarket.org.  If you already receive the monthly Main Street newsletter you do not need to sign up again.  Also, please friend the Market on Facebook at:  www.Facebook.com/CollegevilleFarmersMarket.   

              For additional information, contact Julia Bull, Farmers Market Manager, Collegeville Main Street Program, 476 East Main Street, Collegeville, PA 19426.  E-mail:  manager@collegevilledevelopment.org  or telephone at 610.454.1050.  For information on the PA Preferred® Program visit www.PAPreferred.com  or contact Peter Witmer at 717-772-3094.