Main Street, USA: Farmers Markets Bring Communities Together
Observer-Reporter
File photo of produce on display at a previous Main Street Farmers Market
Canonsburg Farmers Market
Canonsburg Farmers Market
Canonsburg Farmers Market
For hundreds of years, agriculture has been part of the culture here in Pennsylvania. Farmers have shaped the land and the people. Today, restaurants all over the country and right here in southwestern Pennsylvania have adopted a mindset of “Farm to Table”: promoting the serving of local food at their establishments. In Washington County, residents are taking part in their own farm-to-table movement, supporting communities and growers by shopping at the local Farmers Markets that have become popular over the last decade.
Suzanne Ewing is the President of the Board of Directors of the Main Street Farmers Market in downtown Washington, Pennsylvania. She views the rise of farmers markets as part of a desire to connect with neighbors, friends, and food.
“People have become much more aware of food, and where it comes from. There’s the whole “foodie” movement, and entire television networks devoted to food! There’s also this renewed emphasis on local fresh food and sustainability – and this idea that food and drink are an integral part of community life,” says Ewing. “People see farmers markets as a way to create a central gathering point and to introduce almost a festival atmosphere.”
Fourteen years ago, Washington’s Main Street Farmers Market was one of the first western Pennsylvania. Last year, the addition of a new pavilion — fifteen-thousand square feet of steel that covers the entire area where the market takes place — allowed for greater expansion of the market. Marcellus Shale driller Range Resources was one of the first funders of the pavilion, initially providing $30,000 in seed money to help get the project off the ground.
“Its official name is the Community Pavilion,” says Ewing. “And it has definitely made the Farmers Market bigger and better in a number of different ways. Range Resources was one of our very early contributors. And the funding they provided was really, really helpful in getting the project started.”
Additional funding followed, from community development organizations, major Pittsburgh and Washington County foundations, local businesses, and individuals. “When Range stepped up early though – that’s what caught everyone’s attention. And it’s been really terrific for the Market. It’s a much more comfortable place for people to come and shop. The pavilion provides shade from the sun on hot days, and shelter from the storm when it’s raining – and we’ve had plenty of rain this summer!” Ewing also says the pavilion has provided greater stability to the Market: vendors know they have a place to sell their goods rain or shine, and customers know the Market is taking place regardless of the weather.
Range’s Laural Ziemba has seen the impact of local farmers markets in Washington County. “I grew up here, and I am thrilled to see local farmers markets doing well, and having a positive impact on so many neighborhoods. And for Range, it really makes good sense to support their efforts. Our business takes place in their backyards, and we are proud of the relationship we’ve formed with the agricultural community here in Washington County. Their success is important to us.”
Ziemba has also watched the Community Pavilion become a hub for local activities. “We’ve been at the Pavilion for several events!” says Ziemba. “Right before Thanksgiving, it has been the for our 2000 Turkeys food drive that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Greater Washington County Food Bank. And Range was back at the pavilion during the Holiday Market as our employees raised funds for Toys for Tots.”
This year, Ziemba worked with organizers of a brand new farmers market in Canonsburg, as Range Resources provided funding to help them get underway. “A local woman named Lonnie Flood oversees the Canonsburg Farmers Market – she and Mayor Dave Rhome worked really hard to bring it to Canonsburg. As soon as we found out about it, we offered Range’s support, and they dug in and made it happen. They’re off to a great start, and just like their amazing 4th of July celebration and their fall Oktoberbest, the new Canonsburg Farmer’s Market is only going to get bigger and better in the years to come.”
As Ewing reflects on the success of the Main Street Farmers Markets and others like it, she notes, “It’s more than a place to buy food. It is really a community event that people come to. It’s a nice thing to do after work, it’s a nice event to take your children to, and for us — it’s really turned into a town square for Washington. We didn’t have that before. Now we do – and the Community Pavilion has been an integral part of our story.”
Mayor Dave Rhome is looking forward to a similar success story in Canonsburg. “This is a community of neighbors. And Range Resources has been a really good neighbor, and a first-class partner for us. Our new Farmers Market is already having a positive impact on so many people. This is our growing year. And we can’t wait to see how far we can take it down the road!”
The Main Street Farmers Market in Washington, PA takes place under the Community Pavilion at 139 South Main Street every Thursday from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. through the month of October.
The Canonsburg Farmers Market takes place every Friday from 3:30 – 7:00 p.m. in the Northwest Bank parking lot at 148 West Pike Street through mid-September. Parking is available at Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church and the lot at Jefferson Avenue and West Pike.
For a map of local Farmers Markets in Washington and Greene Counties, click here:
This article is written and sponsored by Range Resources.