Farmers market completes another successful year
Ed Jodikinos, owner of Jodikinos Farms in Beaver County sets out his produce for the last time this season as the farmers market comes to an end. Thursday was the last day for the farmers market on South Main Street in Washington.
Alexandra Bartelme, left, and her mother, Deanna Bartelme, with Wood Street Bread Company in Pittsburgh, always dress in Halloween costumes for the last day of the Farmers Market on South Main Street in Washington.
Washington’s Main Street Farmers Market wrapped up its 2012 season Thursday – a telltale sign that winter can’t be far behind. Just as the groundhog predicts the start of spring, the market marks the start of summer when it opens in May and then prepares everyone for colder weather when it closes in October. The market celebrated its ninth season in 2012, and according to Ken Sninsky, market manager, it was a productive year. “It was a very good year considering how hot it was,” he said. “And, we never got completely washed out.” The market is held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Thursday in the city parking lot across from the Observer-Reporter on South Main Street. It averages between 25 to 30 vendors, who are required to sell only fresh produce, plants or food. There’s absolutely no loading up in Pittsburgh’s Strip District and then reselling at this market, Sninsky declared. “Basically, we’re a local market. All our vendors are local,” said Sninsky, adding that vendors are required to sign a contract ensuring their items are authentic before they can set up to sell to the hundreds of weekly shoppers. Ed Jodikinos comes from Clinton, Beaver County, near Raccoon State Park, to sell produce he grows on his farm that has been in his family since 1947. “It’s one of the best markets around,” said Jodikinos, who has been setting up at the market since its debut. “You get more people here than a lot of them.” Deanna Bartelme, who owns the The Wood Street Bread Company in Pittsburgh with her husband, William, also has been setting up the market since the beginning. Each week, Deanna treks to Washington in her trusty van with about 300 loaves of bread that her husband makes from scratch. “It’s a great market,” said Bartelme. Proceeds go back into the cost of operating the nonprofit market, including the planned construction of a permanent covering that would provide shelter in bad weather, said Sninsky While plans for a covering have been announced, Sninsky said there is no update on when construction may begin. “All I know is it’s still in the works,” he said. In addition to being a great sales venue, it’s also perfect for local entertainers to gain exposure by performing beneath the lot’s gazebo. “We have something for everyone,” said Sninsky.