By David Adler, Communications Director, The Food Trust

Published on November 14, 2007
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In the last five years, the number of farmers’ markets operated by The Food Trust has more than doubled to include a total of 28 locations. The newest addition is Philadelphia’s largest outdoor market, the Headhouse Square Farmers’ Market, located in the historic Headhouse Shambles at 2 nd and Lombard Streets.

The Headhouse Farmers’ Market features over 25 farmers and producers, each of which brings the highest quality fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, flowers, and breads into Philadelphia every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market has been overwhelmingly popular since opening day, with many vendors selling out all of their products well before it closes.

“Not only is the food incredibly fresh and delicious at farmers’ markets, but there are also unique fruits and vegetables that often don’t make their way into supermarkets,” said Yael Lehmann, executive director of The Food Trust.

While flavor may be the main motivator for consumers to shop at farmers’ markets, there are a multitude of benefits that go far beyond our taste buds. Shopping at farmers’ markets has a number of ecological benefits. The food purchased at farmers’ markets has traveled only a fraction of the distance compared to most food Americans buy on a regular basis. This reduction in “food miles” means that far less fossil fuel is used to transport the goods from farm to table, minimizing an individual’s ecological footprint with each purchase.

Equally important is the environmental benefit that comes from keeping small local farms sustainable. Keeping farmers in business preserves open spaces and limits the housing sprawl occurring outside metropolitan areas. This reduction of sprawl in turn reduces our dependence on automobiles, minimizing the region’s collective ecological footprint.

Farmers’ markets are also an integral part of The Food Trust’s mission to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food. All of The Food Trust’s farmers’ markets accept EBT/Access cards (electronic food stamps), as well as Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program vouchers that are distributed to low-income mothers and seniors. In fact, about half of The Food Trust’s markets are in lower-income neighborhoods and are often one of the few places to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

Sites like Headhouse are especially important because its profitability ensures that local farmers stay in business and are able to come to smaller markets, thus guaranteeing that sustainable agriculture systems in the region stay financially viable.

For more information about The Food Trust, please visit www.TheFoodTrust.org. And to learn more about farmers at the Headhouse Square Farmers’ Market, please log on to www.HeadhouseMarket.org, or simply pay them a visit this upcoming Sunday.