BETHEL PARK FARMERS’ MARKET

The Bethel Park Farmers’ Market will kick off its 19th year on Tuesday, May 6 from 3-7 p.m. and run Tuesdays through Oct. 14 for an extended season! The Market is located in South Park directly off Corrigan Drive near the Ice-Skating Rink and welcomed over 2,000 shoppers each week last year. This season, guests can look forward to an improved layout to allow for food trucks to be in a separate section along with periodic kids’ activities, entertainment (there are still a few openings; contact Sarah if interested at skomatsu@bethelparkpa.gov ) , and more such as recipes posted on the Farmers’ Market website inspired by ingredients from each week’s vendors! St. Clair Hospital will be at the Market regularly (weekly July through September) offering complimentary health screenings, providing information, and sponsoring the “Food Assistance Match” (FAM) program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to fresh, nutritious food from local farmers and small businesses to individuals and families most in need. “Without St. Clair Health, we wouldn’t be able to offer FAM,” said Assistant Recreation Director Lindsey Sibert. “It’s such a wonderful service enabling almost everyone to have access to fresh food.” FAM multiplies the buying power of food assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and others enabling patrons using these programs to take home up to three times more locally-sourced food and goods. Sibert also acknowledged the Bethel Park Community Foundation for being an ongoing sponsor. “Their sponsorship enables us to purchase items such as tables, chairs, raincoats, tents, and more all leading to an extremely positive guest experience; we’re grateful for their support!” This year, the Market also has a new coordinator, Events Coordinator Sarah Komatsu . Komatsu will be managing the Bethel Park Farmers’ Market, ‘No Cook Tuesdays,’ and Indoor Markets while also providing support for various Municipal special events. With a focus on enhancing community engagement, she brings a decade of experience in event management and community engagement from her prior positions in both Arizona and California. “ I think we strike a really good balance and are one of the larger farmer’s markets in the area with a lot of unique products,” said Komatsu. “Our Market becomes a one stop shop for guests where they can come to fill their pantry or fridge for the week and to also pick up a prepared dinner.” This year, the Market will have 35 full-season, 12 half-season and six monthly rotating vendors . New vendors include Amazing Books and Records (a used book and records store), Chocolate Moonshine (chocolates, fudge and truffle bars), and Billy’s Country Smoke House (offering smoked meats, preserved meat sticks and homemade sausages). For complete details on all vendors, including full or half season and visiting vendors, please visit: http://www.bethelparkpa.gov/vendors. To be the first to know about all Market news, follow us on Facebook ( Bethel Park Farmers’ Market ) and visit our website where you can sign up to be a ‘fan’ to receive Farmers’ Market emails. For full details on the Bethel Park Farmers’ Market, visit www.bethelparkpa.gov – ‘Recreation’ – ‘Bethel Park Farmers’ Market.’ You can also call 412-851-2910 . For more information on FAM, visit FoodAssistanceMatch.org .