‘You can’t get it any fresher,’ said Rako Zech, a Penn Street Farmers Market vendor to a customer last Friday. ‘I picked it this morning from my farm’s fields and you’re able to buy it the same day.’ Zech and wife Melissa own and operate Sunrise Farm in Oley. They are new vendors at the Penn Street Market, located outdoors in the 800 block of Penn Street in Reading, which is open every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Zechs raise and market pastured poultry, along with fruits and vegetables they raise using sustainable farming methods. They also participate at the GoggleWorks Farmers Market from 3 to 7 p.m. on Fridays.
Farmer vendors’ tables are filled with sweet corn, cantaloupes, sweet cherries, blueberries, cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, red tomatoes, red beets, green string beans, onions, hot peppers, sweet bell peppers, raspberries, and more colorful and delicious fruits and vegetables. Shoppers can still get a canvas shopping bag with a minimum $5 purchase of produce or honey at the Penn Street Market, courtesy of the Berks Agricultural Resource Network which sponsors the market.
Also participating at the market are: Glenn Hoover of Railside Produce, Reinholds: Bee-utiful Harvest/ Griesemer Beekeeping of Wernersville; Country Lane Farm of Denver; Gayatri Wellness of Bernville; and Bog Turtle Creek Farm of Reading. Josefina’s Bakery, Reading, is a weekly vendor at the Penn Street Market bringing delicious Dominican pastries to tempt everyone’s appetite. And Michelle Lorah and her Perk-Up Truck sells delicious smoothies, along with hot and cold beverages.
The Penn Street Market is open every Friday throughout the summer until Friday, Oct. 3. Penn Street Market has a wireless electronic benefits machine so customers can use Supplemental Nutrition Access Program funds and other cash assistance on eligible food. This also allows for credit and debit cards to be used by customers at the market. Farm Market Nutrition Program coupons can also be used at Penn Street Market on eligible produce from farmer vendors: Glenn Hoover, Bog Turtle Creek Farm, and Griesemer Beekeeping. Food Stamp benefits can be used on eligible food items.
This week’s restaurant is Chapman’s Deli and Music in the Market is provided by Ken Gehret and friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about Penn Street Market, visit the website at www.pennstreetmarket.org, find us on Facebook, or call 610-898-5482.
From Berks County Agricultural Coordinator
