Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN & WHERE IS THE MARKET?
Thursdays 3-7pm
Location: Parking Lot of GSB Building, Belmont Avenue & St. Asaphs Road in Bala Cynwyd
WHY DO WE NEED A FARMERS MARKET?
A farmers market in Bala Cynwyd will provide residents the chance to purchase nutritious, fresh food from local farms, support regional agriculture, and keep money in the local economy.
Buying from a local farmers market protects our natural resources by reducing the amount of fossil fuels used for packaging, transportation and marketing.
Buying from a local farmers market builds community by giving neighbors a chance to mingle.
WHO ORGANIZED THE MARKET?
The Friends of the Bala Cynwyd Farmers Market are a group of neighbors united by a love of fresh, seasonal, local food and a desire to support the farmers who produce it. We believe a weekly outdoor market will be a valuable culinary and social addition to our neighborhood, a place where families, farmers, chefs, and food lovers can meet. We worked with Farm to City to organize the Market.
WHAT CAN I BUY AT THE MARKET?
The Market offers locally grown and raised vegetables, fruits, eggs, meats, dairy products, fresh flowers and baked goods. Vendors may also carry food produced from their crops, such as jams, pickles, honey and other locally prepared or raised specialty food items. Typically, ‘local’ refers to what is grown or raised within 200 miles of our homes.
WILL THE MARKET MAKE A MESS?
No! Market rules require each farmer/vendor to clean their market site after closing and remove all refuse they generate. Farm to City will monitor and enforce sanitation rules. Farmers will have tents to protect their produce and to ensure a coherent and harmonious market appearance.
WILL THERE BE PARKING?
Yes! The GSB Lot has parking for more than 100 cars.
WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE ISSUES?
Each vendor selling at the market must carry general liability insurance covering his or her activities at the market and submit a certificate of insurance to Farm to City as evidence of coverage. Farm to City also carries general liability insurance.
WHAT ARE THE SITE CRITERIA FOR HOSTING A MARKET?
In addition to strong community support, there are four requirements for a successful farmers market: 1) easy access for vehicles and pedestrians; 2) high visibility for drivers and walkers; 3) adequate space – roughly 600sf per farmer – for market layout; and 4) ample parking for market visitors.
WHY DID WE NEED AN ORDINANCE TO PERMIT FARMERS MARKETS?
Two reasons:
- First, farmers markets were not a permitted use on commercial or residentially zoned private property throughout the Township until 2010. As a result of the Ordinance passing, they are now permitted in commercial zones.
- Second, because Bala Cynwyd is densely built out, does not have a great deal of commercial lots suitable to host a farmers market, and because our community is interested in walking to a market, the FBCFM have pursued a market location in our residential neighborhoods. We were seeking passage of an Ordinance that would have permitted the market to operate on suitably sized parking lots, such as church, school or synagogue parking lots, that offer ample parking, easy pedestrian access and are typically not fully occupied throughout the week. We chose Thursdays in an effort to capitalize on underused parking spaces at institutional locations.
