U. City gets a taste of the countryside

The UCD-sponsored Clark Park Farmer's Market opened for its second season earlier this month. and Karlene Hanko For the second year in a row, West Philadelphia residents don't have to leave the city to get a little taste of the country. The Clark Park Farmer's Market -- a weekly gathering of area farmers that makes organically grown fruits, vegetables and flowers available city residents -- opened earlier this month for its second season. Nestled on the corner of 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue beyond the bustle of campus life, the market boasts fresh fruit and organic vegetables untainted by pesticides. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Farmers' Market Trust and the University City District, the market operates every Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through October 29, rain or shine. According to UCD Marketing Director Allison Kelsey, the market is "a great amenity for the neighborhood." Kelsey said that last year's market had a "really nice turn-out," and she expects this year's market to be even better, with more farmers and a larger selection of produce to become available as the season continues. And UCD Executive Director Paul Steinke said that the market serves a dual purpose. "We saw an opportunity to both meet a neighborhood need for access to fresh produce and to create a community gathering place," Steinke said. "We believe it's been successful on both counts." Shoppers at the market can explore foods that they normally would not have access to in West Philadelphia, as well as obtain information and ask questions about food preparation and storage. Many community members, from students to professors to children, joined together to browse the three trucks present and enjoy the milieu of Friday afternoon's market. Farmers Annette and Bud Brown sold flowers and strawberries grown on their farm, called Uncle Frank's Garden. "This week's strawberries are much tastier than last week's," Bud Brown confidently told his shoppers. One farmer, adorned in a red apron, cooked up beached greens and swiss chard for all to savor. Other vendors sold fresh green lettuce, radishes, oregano and other spices. The goal of the market, to bring fresh food to areas with poor resources and access, was well achieved. West Philadelphia resident Marione Viglione was "delighted with the variety of the food" available at the market, adding "we all don't have time to grow a garden? or go out to the country." According to Director of Community Markets for Farmers' Market Trust Bob Pierson, the Clark Park market is one of six that will be operating in Philadelphia this summer, bringing a total of thirteen farmers into the city. The city's six markets provide a welcome alternative to grocery stores during summer time. Many loyal customers admit that they don't mind paying a little extra for freshness. Area resident Lydia Kelly, a shopper at Friday's market, said that she was pleased with the lettuce, tomatoes and white radishes she purchased at the market. "They were delicious," she said. And Viglione, a veteran market-goer, said that as the season progresses, "the produce will pick up in variety and amount." JoAnne Dubil, a Penn coordinator in the Comparative Literature and Literature Theory program, said she enjoyed the market and the fresh vegetables, fruits and plants she purchased at last week's market. "It was lovely," Dubil said. "It was very well-priced and I like the fact that [the vegetables] were organic."