Market report: Clark Park Farmer’s Market

Saturday, November 10, 2007

After reading Naomi’s excellent Clark Park market reports, I finally broke down and went myself.  I was especially excited because of all the good things I’ve heard about Margerum’s dried beans, one of the few vendors in the area who grows dried beans.  But before I could get to the Margerum’s booth, I was stopped dead in my tracks by these fantastic, practically day-glo golden beets being sold by Pennypack Farm.  I had to have them!  I bought a bunch of the beets, as well as two columns of gorgeous brussels sprouts, and a bit of cheese.

At Margerum’s I felt like I had hit the jackpot.  I bought White Northern beans, orange lentils, yellow split peas, black beans, pinto beans, mung beans, and a small pack of dried pears.  Those should last me for a good long while, and I’m so excited to have them!

As we were walking back down the aisle of vendors, the guy from Slow Rise Bakery pulled up.  He opened up his car door and a huge waft of fresh bread poured out.  It was amazing!  We picked up a loaf of jalapeno cheddar bread.

And as we were about to leave, I could not resist buying a couple bags of handmade noodles and a dozen eggs from the Amish vendor on the end of the row.

For being late in the season, there were a good number of vendors - aside from the four I mentioned, there were probably about four or five other stands.  I really like Clark Park market a lot more than others I’ve been to because of the variety of available things - in addition to lots of amazing produce and more apples than you can shake a stick at, there was meat, breads, cheese, and eggs.  It was pretty great, and I can see that it will be a farmer’s market I will regularly attend.  It’s also one of the few markets that, I think, stays open all year round.

Clark Park Farmer’s Market
43rd and Baltimore
Saturdays 10-1p
Thursdays 3-7p [but only through Thanksgiving]