State College Farmers’ Market in Full Swing as Summer Approaches

Summer is coming to downtown State College and the white tents once again are lining both sides of Locust Lane for the Farmers’ Market.

Local vendors bring out their best produce, plants, crafts and baked goods from 11:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday in hopes of pleasing customers.

During the winter, the Farmers’ Market was held Fridays only in the State College Municipal Building. But May 1 kicked off the first outdoor market of the season.

Sarah Berndt has been selling plants and flowers at the Farmers’ Market for four years. Berndt said while sales are fairly constant throughout the spring and summer, she misses Penn State student customers during the summer months.

‘I really enjoy talking to the students,’ she said. ‘They’re fun to talk to.’

Dan Lowenstein, from Red Hawk Premium Peppers, is in his first year selling to the State College market.

Lowenstein said that while he does not have a lot of experience in this market under his
belt, he thinks Penn State students affect sales.

‘It’s been a little slow with summer session of classes just starting and our first week being during finals week,’ he said. ‘I guarantee things will pick up in the fall, but right now half the population of kiddos is gone.’

Jessica Davidson, a junior at Penn State, regularly visits the Farmers’ Market in the spring and summer.

‘I usually get flowers to decorate my apartment or some baked goods on occasion because I miss things like homemade cookies and breads,’ she said. ‘Plus, I like helping people out from around here and knowing where everything comes from. ‘

Students aren’t the only ones who enjoy the Farmers’ Market – the vendors bask in their time there, too.

Berndt said she likes visiting fellow vendors. And Lowenstein said that he prefers the State College market to the others from which he sells.

‘This market is a little more relaxed,’ he said. ‘All the vendors are like one big family.’

The Farmers’ Market is open every Tuesday through Nov. 6. The Friday market will be open through Nov. 16 with the exception of July 13 because of Arts Fest.

For more information on the Farmers’ Market and a full list of vendors, visit statecollegefarmers.com.