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Saltsburg Farmer’s Market has been in full swing since June, providing local community members with vendors, live music and great food.
This is the second year in which the market operates. The idea of creating a farmers market for the region was spearheaded in 2021 by committee member Karen Cumberledge. She presented the idea to her Salzburg Borough Council members, who agreed to help realize the vision.
“We started meetings and focused on what we wanted the event to offer,” said committee member Lorrie Johnson.
“We just want to showcase handmade and homemade products. We want to bring in farmers and food suppliers.”
Since last year, the market has grown from 10 suppliers per week to nearly 22. Weather permitting, the event is held every other Thursday from 4-7pm.
“I would say we’ve doubled in size since the first year,” Johnson said. “That’s why we’re trying to keep reaching out to people on the phone and looking for more suppliers. I know we can find more.”
Market Committee members include Cumberledge, Johnson, Michelle Jesko, John Lombardo and Krystin Kelly.
“Each member plays a different role,” Johnson said. “Michelle was in charge of most of the advocacy. Karen, John and myself took care of a lot during the day. We were there to help where needed. Christine was the borough secretary, so she answered the phone and dealt with a lot of questions .”
When it comes to entertainment, the market has plenty to choose from. There are currently four permanent farmers with vegetables and other commodities to sell, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, garlic, pickles and herbs.
Mother Mary’s Meats and McCesney Farms offer meat products such as beef, steak, pork, bacon and sausage.
Another supplier, Cindy Purves, brought a variety of homemade jellies. Little Blessings Farm brings products featuring goat milk, such as soaps, hand creams and body lotions.
One farmer/vendor, Staymates, brought a machine to make roasted peanuts and sold fresh peanuts throughout the event.
Toni’s Fry Shack and Comer’s Italian Ice are the two main food vendors on offer during the event. The council is seeking to recruit at least one more general food supplier.
According to Johnson, the council is also currently looking for more suppliers willing to bring baked goods.
“My favorite part of the market is meeting with suppliers,” Johnson said. “Not all of them are local. Some are from far away like Vandergrift, Homer City, Latrobe, Apollo. They are just great people who make a living doing what they love to do … they just love being there! They keep coming back.”
In addition to visiting many unique vendors, the market also showcases live music played by friends Julie Dunmire and Joe D’Aquila.
“They’ve been around for a long time,” Johnson said. “Joe used to own a NAPA store in town, and Julie had a second-hand store just outside Saltsburg. They performed on canal days and car cruises. Everyone knew them.”
The Faith Union Church in Salzburg will host an event for the children. They plan to offer a “Kids Corner” with lots of crafts and games. The church will work with other vendors to set up a location along the canal so that parents and guardians can easily drop off their kids to the kids corner and enjoy shopping.
“Most importantly, this is a community event,” Johnson said. “People came out of their homes and came down to support our local suppliers. It’s just a really good community event.”
Saltsburg Farmer’s Market will be held on August 18th, September 1st and last on September 22nd.
Any supplier interested in participating in the Saltsburg Farmer’s Market must complete a registration form, which can be accessed by mail or email. Food vendors pay $10 and craft vendors pay $5. The only requirement is that all products are homemade/handcrafted.
Contact (724) 639-9413 for more information or visit the Saltsburg Farmer’s Market Facebook page.
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