Forest Hills Farmers' Market Kicks Off Friday

The Forest Hills Farmers' Market is back in season this week for a new summer filled with fresh produce, flowers and new friends.

Beginning this Friday and continuing each week on the same day from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the parking lot at transforms into a community market where neighbors can buy all locally grown food, plants, flowers and more.

The market was started by the Late Bloomers Garden Club of Forest Hills in 2005. Ariana Say of Forest Hills is a member and said she looks forward to the market every year.

“We started with seven vendors and now we are up to 18,” she said.

Say said the best aspect of the farmers' market is bringing people together. One rule is that no crafters can sell at the farmers' market - it's all primarily food and plants.

“It’s all grown or produced at home and you must be local,” she said. “We have everything from prepared foods of pierogies and pies to organic produce, authentic salsa, and we have a flower lady.”

Vendors come from Evans City, Punxsutawney and elsewhere in the state to participate each week.

“The greatest part is the atmosphere of neighbors,” she said. “When it’s the summertime and it’s 80 degrees, you see all the pockets of people talking and hugging – I love it.”

The Late Bloomers club formed for women who are unable to make it to the Forest Hills Garden Club’s meetings, which are held during the day, because of work or other reasons.

Say said the farmer’s market is filling a much-needed gap in Forest Hills.

“We have such an amazing little community,” she said. “We are tight knit and family oriented and you always need stuff to do. They closed the Shop N’ Save and the Foodland and we have Aldis, but we needed something else to bring the community together.”

After other community events and gatherings fizzled out, the farmer’s market seemed like a natural move for the club.

“We have all the flowerpots in the middle of Ardmore and wanted something else to give back to the community,” she said. “We just wanted something else to do that would bring people together and now it’s the place to be on Friday nights.”

For more information, contact Say at jupey5@msn.com.