Four Ways to Enjoy Seasonal, Local Produce
The transition time between summer and fall is a special time of year for numerous reasons. The leaves are changing, workers and students are back in town and it's a great time for produce. There is still bounty from summer harvests and fall fruits and veggies are just around the corner.
Apples, beets, melons, peppers, tomatoes are just a few of the delicious types of produce that are in season and locally grown in our region. However, while almost everyone is a fan of delicious food and supporting local farmers, not everyone knows where to buy their seasonal favorites.
For those of you who don’t know where to go, here are four easy ways to enjoy seasonal produce in Philly:
Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets are a great way to buy locally grown produce directly from the farmers themselves. The Food Trust runs our favorite markets in Philly, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to affordable, nutritious food. Many markets run year-round and offer various locally grown fruits, vegetables, baked and canned goods, meats, and specialty products.
For residents of the Touraine and Annex, we recommend the Filter Square Market. Both markets are open on Saturdays year-round; visit their respective sites to browse vendors and hours. All markets accept cash and food assistance program payments, with many accepting credit, debit, and pre-orders.
Philly Foodworks Delivery
Philly Foodworks is an online market and farm share program that strives to create a sustainable local food system for the Philadelphia region. Through their online food market, you can shop from a variety of fresh produce and dairy and eggs; pasteurized meat & sustainable seafood; bakery items; and pantry products from their network of local family farms.
Orders can be created a la carte or as part of a regular subscription box. Once complete, you can schedule your order for pickup or delivery through a variety of convenient options. The Philly Foodwork website is user-friendly and provides tons of information on the farms, different foods they sell, and service options – perfect for browsing and purchasing seasonal local produce from home.
Pick Your Own Produce
With the temps finally starting to dip into comfortable fall weather, now is the perfect time to go out and pick your produce yourself. Several local farms within a day trip of the city allow people to come and pick their own harvest. If you caught our blog on Philly day trips last August, we know that our recommendation is Linvilla Orchards in Media, PA.
Just 30 minutes South of Philly, Linvilla Orchards grows various produce, including many seasonal favorites like apples, pears, and corn. Their website has a detailed guide describing each type of produce and if they're ready to be picked – be sure to give it a look before you plan your visit.
Farm to Table Restaurants
Enjoying seasonal eats doesn’t need to be limited to your home kitchen. Many chefs have embraced locally grown produce in recent decades and curating their menus based on the season. Philly has some of the best dining in the country, so our restaurants are no exception.
In Center City, check out bao·logy, a modern take on Taiwanese street food that sources its pork and seasonal produce from Taproot Farm in Berks County. In West Philly, University City’s iconic White Dog Cafe has been using organic and local foods from farms within 50 miles from their establishment for over 30 years.
We hope you found a new and creative way to enjoy this season’s bounty! Along with the fresh, great-tasting food, shopping locally and in-season is a great way to support our local family farmers who have struggled due to the pandemic. With so many convenient ways to shop from these farmers, we hope you make the shopping choice that is good for your taste buds and our community.
