About the Farmers' Market

The Farmers' Market is located on 139 S. Main Street in Washington and offers locally grown produce, meats, eggs, dairy products and prepared foods (fresh breads, pastas, etc.) in a community oriented setting. The original goals of the market, set by founder Suzanne Ewing, were to provide local farmers and small businesses with a chance to increase their income, to make quality food available to local shoppers, and to revive downtown Washington. These goals have been met, and even surpassed, as the market has grown into the program that it is today.

Now, the market is not only popular for its quality produce and foods, but as a social spot as well. Lots of families come with their children for an afternoon of shopping, great music (for free!), and good friends. Open from mid-May until the end of October, the Farmers' Market is an essential organization to Washington and its residents.

"The market is not only popular for its quality produce and foods, but as a social spot as well."

History

The Farmers' Market began in 2004 as a collaboration of the Washington Business District Authority, local farmers within 100 miles of Washington, and people such as Suzanne Ewing. Suzanne Ewing, a Pittsburgh lawyer living in Washington, was the primary founder of the market. She wanted to boost the local economy and give farmers and small businesses a way to earn money as well as provide fresh food to community members.

One of Suzanne's friends, local artist Ed Taimuty, designed a poster that became the market's logo, and together, they convinced people to get involved. The city agreed to provide the parking lot on Main Street as the market's location and offer free parking during the hours the market would be held. Local businesses also provided donations to help get the market on its feet.

Since its first year, the Farmers' Market has become a great success in Washington, sometimes reaching a total attendance of around 500 and it now includes 20 full-time vendors as well as a table for visiting vendors.

Community Interaction

The Farmers' Market holds its heart and soul within the community, and it was for the people of Washington that it was founded. Aside from being a community event where people can gather to enjoy the weather, the food, and the atmosphere, the Farmers' Market incorporates other non-profits located in the community.

The "Community Table," a booth set up at the market for the use of community non-profits, is available so that shoppers can learn more about the resources provided by other organizations as well as the opportunities for philanthropy and volunteerism. On opening day of the 2008 market, the Washington Jazz Society will be staffing the Community Table and on the second Market day, the Washington City Mission will hold the spot.

Additionally, because the Market is a non-profit and charges relatively small amounts for venders (in order to give them a leg up), they rely heavily on sponsorships from within the community. National City Bank, Washington & Jefferson College, The Rotary Club of Washington, Washington Business District Authority, The Observer Reporter, The Washington Hospital, The Chapman Corporation and Washington Reprographics are among the sponsors of the Farmers' Market. This continued support from community organizations and businesses shows what an integral part of the Washington lifestyle the Market has grown to be.

Affiliation with W&J

W&J is very involved in the Farmers' Market. Financially, W&J sponsors the market by donating $1500 every year, which is a very helpful addition to the Farmers' Market's small budget. Additionally, W&J lends the market folding chairs so that a seating area may be created near the pavilion for shoppers to sit and listen to the musicians.

In addition to the financial and operational support, Mr. Steve Dettinger (a fundamental lifeline to the Farmers' Market, and an excellent resource for this Wiki) is married to W&J's very own Dr. Victoria List, History and Gender and Women's Studies professor, and informs us that many faculty and staff are frequent customers at the market. In the summer of 2007, a W&J student performed his music at the market. Also, Kyle Simpson always brings the W&J jazz ensemble to at least one Market day to also provide quality musical entertainment.

As the market is a large part of the culture in Washington, some W&J students visit the market when college is in session in the fall, and local students sometimes stop by during the summer as well. The Farmers' Markets encourages all students, faculty, and staff to stop by on Thursday afternoons or even to consider volunteering for the market if they are interested.

A visit to the Farmers' Market, located within walking distance of the W&J campus, is an enjoyable experience -- one that both tastes and sounds good -- that all students, faculty, and staff should consider giving a try.

Thursdays at the Market

Every Thursday from three to six p.m. from mid-May to October, a parking lot at 139 S. Main Street in Washington, P.A. fills with people and becomes a bustling center of activity known as the Main Street Farmers' Market. Venders sell food from under white and blue tents and shoppers stroll around enjoying the warm weather and the exciting, lively atmosphere of the Farmers' Market.

People of every age attend the market - from those with heads of grey hair, or perhaps no hair at all, to families with young children in strollers. Some come from as far as West Virginia and Ohio. In the marketplace, people talk to their friends they have spotted among the crowd and order such delicious things as homemade zucchini bread from the vendors. Music floats through the air coming from a nearby pavilion where local musicians play. Chairs are set up in front of the pavilion, but often people simply choose to listen as they shop. The music ranges from week to week but almost every type of musician has played there - including bag-pipers and fiddlers.

The range of products sold is incredible and includes organic fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, dairy products, cheesecakes, pierogies, barbecued meat grilled right in front of your eyes, salsa, cold lemonade, baked cookies and pies, wine from local wineries, salmon imported weekly from Alaska, and homemade jams and jellies -- almost all from local vendors and farms. The Farmers' Market has something for everyone -- no matter what your taste.

More importantly, the Farmers' Market is not just about delicious food or quality musicians - it's a place where the community can gather and socialize.

"The Farmers' Market has something for everyone, no matter what your taste."

A Personal Take on the Farmers' Market

-Based on an interview on April 23, 2008 with Professional Writing Professor, Dr. Jennifer Harding

When I first moved to Washington, one day I was talking to my neighbor and somehow the Farmers' Market came up, and ever since then my family has gone every Thursday. We have this big, red double stroller, and we pile both our kids in it for the walk there, and when we return home, the bottom of our stroller is filled with stuff we bought.

We always buy the kids blueberries -- that's their favorite. One vendor sells freshly baked bread and my husband always buys a loaf. They also have a vendor from an organic farm with six varieties of garlic -- which is so much more exciting than regular garlic - and it's not very expensive at all. Other than that we buy a variety of fruits and vegetables -- lots of sweet corn, for example.

We always create a need to go. I mean, who doesn't need fruits and vegetables? A lot of times we get food and come home to eat it that night. Eating food from the market makes me feel so healthy -- I love it.

The market has a range you can't get at a grocery store. I recommend it to everyone. When I met a professor who was new to the area, it was one of the first things I told her about and now she loves it.

What's nice about the Farmers' Market for professors is that we are typically gone a lot in the summer so it's hard to find time to keep a garden, but because of the market, I still get fresh vegetables. Even if people do have a garden, it's still a fun place to listen to music and find great food. It adds a lot to the community -- it's a quality of life enhancer.

Check It Out Yourself: Directions from W&J

1. Begin at the statues of George Washington & Tom Jefferson and walk along Beau Street past Bica-Ross Hall and New Residence Hall until you reach Main Street.

2. Turn left onto S Main Street and keep walking until you reach 139 South Main Street.

3. Explore the market and when you return, don't forget to tell your friends all about it!

Click above map to enlarge.

Interested? Get Involved and Learn More!

If you'd like to get involved or learn more, stop by the Market! It's open every Thursday from 3pm-6pm from mid-May until the end of October and is open no matter what. The address is 139 S. Main Street in Washington and parking is free. Also feel free to contact the other volunteers at the market to get more information or volunteer. They would love some fresh faces and hands willing to help with the market once a week.

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