Growers and Vendors Invited to Learn
about Collegeville's Farmers' Market

The Collegeville Main Street program plans to open and operate a farmers' market in the Borough beginning spring, 2011.  Farmers, growers, vendors and other parties with an interest in selling at the market are invited to attend a Farmers' Market informational meeting on Thursday, December 9th, at 6:30 PM at the Collegeville Borough Hall, 491 East Main St, Collegeville, PA 19426.

Cathy Kernen, chair of the farmers' Market Committee says, "Our history is rooted in farming and there are many farms in the area, so we are hoping to attract a variety of producers who grow or make their own products. We are looking for local fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cheese and dairy products, organically grown foods, home-made food products, fresh flowers, herbs and bedding plants, local meats, local wines, crafts and jewelry items, as well as prepared foods."

The all-volunteer Farmers' Market Committee has been planning for the market since this past February.  When the group surveyed over 500 Collegeville-area residents this summer to gather data on their level of interest in the market, they were greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm. The market is tentatively scheduled to be held weekly on Fridays, from 4 to 8 PM, and to be open from May through October. It will be held in the parking lot behind the AmeriGas gas station at 460 E. Main Street. This site is in Collegeville's Main Street district and is about a block from Ursinus College and about three blocks from where the Perkiomen Trail crosses Main Street.

The survey results indicated that residents preferred a producer-only market with the products grown or made by the farmers or vendors. The majority of those responding to the survey said they intended to shop weekly and that for food products, the most important factors in their buying decisions included freshness, price, lack of or reduced pesticides and convenience.

To RSVP or for more information, individuals may contact Cathy Kernen, chair of the Farmers' Market Committee at 610 454 1050 or e-mail manager@collegevilledevelopment.org.