Getting More Than Just Produce at the Clark Park Farmers Market

Vegetables, fruit, or jams can be associated with the words “farmers market,” but a community gathering place more accurately describes the Clark Park Farmers Market. The market, located at 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia, aims to serve the neighborhood more than just fresh produce. Started in 1998, it is operated by the Philadelphia Food Trust, which also manages dozens of other farmers markets in the city.

The benefits of having the market in West Philly go beyond just offering fresh food according to the market manager, Mukethe Kawinzi. “It is a community resource and space. People all with different economic backgrounds come here. We accept people with access cards and food stamps,” she says. “It supports local economy. It reflects the diverse neighborhood.”

Mark Mendenhall, 61, enjoys coming to the market and seeing friends. He is just one of the many patrons with a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share. According to the Local Harvest Organization, a CSA works by allowing a person to buy a share from a farmer and receive a box of seasonal fruits or vegetables for a certain period of time. He said the CSA share he has helps local growers.

The market attracts a wide array of people, ranging in age from infants to elderly. First time visitors were University of Pennsylvania students, Victoria Pisini, 18, and Lauren Cosgriff, 17. Their main reason for coming out was to buy apples, but they enjoyed seeing other people from the community. Ann and Tim Baker, 43 and 49 respectively, come from New Jersey to get their CSA share. On how Ann feels about the market, “Love it. Love it. Love it,” she said. “It is better than a grocery store.” She commented on how there are not enough markets near her.

The Bakers heard about the market through their friend, Nissa, who lives within walking distance of the park. “Well, it makes me eat more vegetables. The share is enough for two people. At a supermarket it is usually too much [in quantity] and we end up wasting some of it.” She also commented on how much the area changed within the last 15 years. “Penn [University] said that they literally needed to build a wall or expand farther. They boosted up the values of the housing. ” She said that she wishes Temple could do the same and revitalize North Philadelphia.

The market runs year-round on Saturdays and on Thursdays until December.