Farmer's Market Has Room to Grow at Renzie

By Jason Togyer
The Tube City Almanac
June 12, 2017
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Tony Kennon and daughter Maggie, age 7, of North Versailles Twp. inspect fabric art on sale Saturday at the first Renzie Farmer's Market. (Tube City Almanac photo)

Saturday morning's rain dampened --- but only slightly --- the first of 26 planned weekly farmer's markets behind fire station No. 2 at Renziehausen Park.

About 16 vendors selling fresh fruit and vegetables, flowering plants, crafts and jewelry greeted visitors from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, said two of the organizers, Joelle Harbert and Andi Cartwright, both of White Oak.

"Not everyone who planned to be here came out this morning, but I think this is a great turnout for the first day and I'm excited to see what comes in the next few weeks," Cartwright said.

This is the second year for the farmer's market, which was organized by Kelly Doyle and held last year at Heritage Hills Park in White Oak, Harbert said.

Jaime DeCarlo and Camden Stover of DeCarlo's Fruit Market on the Glassport-Elizabeth Road had produce, honey and flowering plants available. The fruit market plans to return to the Renzie event throughout the yeat. (Tube City Almanac photo)

Vendors and the selection of items on sale will change from week to week and throughout the spring, summer and fall. The farmer's market will wrap up in October, Harbert said.

"The fruit and vegetable vendors aren't here yet because a lot of the (local produce) isn't in season yet," Cartwright said. "In late June, early July we'll start to see some more local produce, and we're getting some honey vendors and maybe an olive oil vndor. There will be a lot of different things planned as the season goes on."

The organizers also hope to add prepared foods as the weeks progress, Harbert and Cartwright said.

Camden Stover and Jaime DeCarlo from DeCarlo's Farm Market were selling locally sourced aspargus, zucchini, cabbage and beets, along with cage-free eggs and fresh sweet corn brought up from Georgia.

They also had honey made by a beekeeper in Floreffe. "I know a lot of beekeepers are having problems with their bees, but he's doing very well with his," DeCarlo said.

DeCarlo's plans to have a presence at the farmer's market throughout the year and will add locally grown produce as it comes into season, he said.

Above: Pati Adams of Allegheny Twp., Westmoreland County, shows off handmade jewelry as friend Liz Grazlewski of North Versailles Twp. looks on. (Tube City Almanac photo)

Spaces at the farmer's market start at $5 per week or $50 for a season pass. For an additional $25, Cartwright said, vendors will receive their own page on the farmer's market's website.

"We're trying to procure more vendors --- that's an ongoiing process," she said. "We want to grow this as large as we can. It's more fun that way. And one of the things I've been talking to the vendors about is we'd like to encourage more local non-profits to come out here as well. If they want to do outreach or fundraising, there will be no charge for them to set up a table --- just let us know ahead of time."

For more information, visit the website at www.renziefarmersmarket.com or call 412-874-2158.

Conflict of Interest Note: Andi Cartwright is a board member at Tube City Community Media Inc., the publishers of Tube City Online. She did not see this story before publication or have any control over its publication, nor did she request that a story be written.

Originally published June 12, 2017.

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