The succulent cherry tomatoes sold at 33rd and Spruce streets every Thursday afternoon come in bright red, orange and yellow colors, as tempting candy. They have an authentic tang to them that differentiates their taste from supermarket tomatoes. Equally attractive are the other vegetables, among them potatoes, red-skinned onions, summer squash, corn, cucumbers, basil, and -- perhaps the most magnificent in appearance with its large yellow and green leaves -- the Swiss Chard.
The attractive weekly setup is the area's newest Farmer's Market, where local farmers sell vegetables picked from their fields within the past 24 hours.
This Farmer's Market -- open Thursdays from noon to 6:00 p.m. -- is an initiative of Farm to City, an organization that aims to connect the people of Philadelphia to fresh food.
Farm to City Program Director Bob Pierson says that his goal is to allow the people of Philadelphia to "enjoy the wonderful taste of freshly picked produce."
The farmers at the market say they are confident in their produce and in love with their trade.
"I've always enjoyed breads," Patrick O'Neil says, who operates a bread stand at the market. "Bread is a living product," he explains with lit eyes. He sells both sandwich breads -- including honey whole wheat, his most popular sell -- and European-style breads. A small town producer who relishes customer contact, O'Neil also brags of U.S. prowess at the last international bread competition.
Earl Livengard, owner of the Lancaster-based farm, Livengard's Produce, claims that "the supermarket can't compete with the freshness and quality" and that "people like buying the sweet corn pulled out of the field this morning."
Small-scale producers who emphasize quality over quantity, the farmers at the market are highly dependent upon their sales at markets.
"We wouldn't be able to do this business we do without markets here," says farmer Mike Ahlert of Oley Valley Produce in Bucks County.
Those buying from the market echo these sentiments.
"It's high-quality food, and I think everyone should come," English Professor Deborah Burnham said.
Sophomore Alexandra Verini and Senior Cedric Baxa both agree that the food "tastes better."
Pierson anticipates that this farmer's market will be as successful in University City, as a test market Farm to City set up at 36th and Walnut streets last year.
The farmers, proud of their produce, are equally confident.
"If it's good, you'll tell your neighbor, Livengard says, "If it's not, come back and tell me about it."
