Kale to kombucha: Time to savor local roots

You are currently viewing Kale to kombucha: Time to savor local roots
Area residents can celebrate National Farm Markets Week at Baily's Dairy in Pocopson Township, where it's plain to see where the milk originates.

Area residents have many ways to observe National Farmers Market Week, which begins on Sunday, Aug. 2. Chief among them: Enjoying a bountiful harvest with local roots.

The Thornbury
At the Thornbury Farm CSA on Thornbury Road in Birmingham Township, visitors can view the fields where the fresh produce was nurtured.

Chester County offers a dozen farmers’ markets across its terrain, with several easy distance from Chadds Ford: The Artisan Exchange West Chester, the Kennett Square Farmers Market, the New Garden Growers Market and the West Chester Growers Market. Delaware County boasts farmers’ markets in nearby Booth’s Corner and Media.

Officials from the Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau suggest that the week should also provide incentive to visit the area’s many farm stands and produce markets. Some of the local favorites are  Baily’s Dairy in Pocopson, Barnard's Orchard in Newlin,  the Thornbury Farm CSA in Birmingham, and  Pete’s Produce in Westtown.

“This is the time of year to enjoy our busy farmers markets,” said a farm bureau press release, citing products ranging from fresh produce and fruit to offerings such as baked goods, meats, free range eggs, cheese, honey, gluten-free items, pickles and fermented drinks such as kombucha – a fermented, probiotic drink that is growing in popularity. “Purchasers like the idea of buying local and being more secure in knowing they are buying truly fresh produce, usually from the actual producer.”

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack noted that National Farmers Market Week is held to honor the important role that farmers markets play in local economies.

“Farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support farmers and help grow rural economies,” he said. “They bring communities together, connecting cities with the farms and providing America with fresh, healthy food.”

Baily's Dairy on Unionville-Lenape Road in Pocopson Township packs its retail space with fresh produce and dairy products.
Baily's Dairy on Lenape-Unionville Road in Pocopson Township packs its retail space with an appetizing assortment of fresh produce and dairy products.

For example, Karin Bonifacino started the New Garden Growers Market 11 years ago and, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays from May through November, a wide range of locally produced food is available. Prices may be a tad higher than in the local supermarket but shoppers have the opportunity to talk to the person who produced, harvested, or baked the item earlier that morning.

Many markets also provide musical entertainment by local groups to further enhance the shopping and browsing experience. And at this time of year, the selection of fresh offerings is optimal.

A map and details of the many farmers markets and farm stands in Chester County can be found in the Chester County Agricultural Development Council’s 2015 Farm Products Guide available on line at www.chesco.org/AGDEV.

 

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...

Comments

comments

Leave a Reply