Weather or Not, We Gather

Rainy Skies Won't Get Us Down

If you were at the market last Tuesday, you know: the weather did everything. Warm sun, sudden rain, clear skies, torrential downpour, back to sunshine, and—finally—one last burst just as things were winding down. But even with the sky showing off, the market carried on. Rain jackets, umbrellas, muddy shoes—none of it stopped this community from showing up.

There’s something pretty special about that. It’s not just about vegetables or vendors. It’s about the kind of week where, even with storm clouds overhead, there’s comfort in seeing familiar faces, picking up produce you know was grown nearby, and feeling connected to something rooted and real. It says a lot about this town—how loyal Bethel Park is, and how deeply this market is woven into our community’s rhythm.

Our second Bite of the Market tasting featured a refreshing pasta salad with gluten-free pasta from Café Chocolade, fresh vegetables from Jose Quiroz and Jodikinos Farms, and a splash of black garlic oil from The Olive Tap, plus one of their premium vinegars that somehow infused the bite with a hint of pepperoni—despite none actually being there. The rain may have slowed foot traffic, but it still sparked great conversations and a bump in sales for the folks who made it all possible. It’s amazing what one good bite can do.

Next Tuesday (June 24), we’re wrapping up National Children’s Month with KID AT HEART day—think bubbles, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, and hula hoops. Whether you're seven or eighty-seven, we all need a little play sometimes. And yes, there will be another tasting, too.



Every week at the market is a reminder that what we grow, share, and eat matters—and that the strongest roots aren’t always the ones in the ground.