By Caitlyn Scott | Staff Writer

With temperatures above 60 degrees and vacations in full swing, Pittsburgh has welcomed back its annual farmers market, providing residents with the opportunity to support local businesses and connect with members in their community.

Presented by CitiParks, the City of Pittsburgh’s Farmers Markets, taking place in Squirrel Hill, East End, Carrick and Northside, will satisfy your appetite and give consumers the opportunity to choose from a variety of farm-fresh fruits, baked goods and hand-crafted products.

Lena Laskaris, owner of Wise County Biscuits, will give participants the option to choose from an array of freshly baked and frozen biscuits at CitiParks Northside and Squirrel Hill markets.

“[Along with our biscuits], we offer a selection of spreads, sausage gravy and baked goods,” Laskaris said.

Laskaris, who has participated in the Northside market since Sept. 2022, says that participating has been a great way to promote business and introduce herself to a community that she has not had the opportunity to engage with before.

‘The neighborhood has been welcoming and excited to discuss the cafe and all the ups and downs that go into opening a new space,” Laskaris said. “This market is unique because we’re trying to set guests up for a great weekend of breakfast at home.”

Although customers can anticipate the return of their favorite vendors such as Wise County Biscuits, a few new faces are expected to make an appearance this year.

Brian Daniels, owner of Arpa Tea, LLC, will participate in East End and Northside’s farmers markets for the first time. Daniels said that he is excited to share his passion for Paraguay, yerba mate and health with the community.

“We are a startup known for our sugar- free, yet, sweet 100% whole-leaf yerba mate and stevia herbal tea,” Daniels said. “Participating in the farmers market allows us to directly tell people about our product and mission. It also gives people the chance to meet us.”

Along with Daniels, Em Collins, owner of EmTree Bath & Body, will be showcasing an array of soaps, shampoos and lotions — in bar form — for the first time at Carrick and East End’s farmers markets this season.

“I’m looking forward to connecting and meeting members of the Pittsburgh community,” Collins said. “EmTree has done well at markets in the past [so this year], I wanted to be able to branch out to the new markets I haven’t been to yet.”

With new and returning vendors present this season, each will have the opportunity to sell and advertise their products to residents who have been unable to travel to business and farmers facilities, broadening their engagement with new communities and residents.

Christian Kale, owner of Lucky Sign Spirits Distillery, said that having the opportunity to participate in Pittsburgh’s farmers markets gives businesses like his the chance to engage with the community while giving him and his employees the experience to try something new.

Orchard Grown Ciders sells various different ciders at its farmers market stand. Courtesy photo

“I think the Pittsburgh farmers markets are awesome,” Kale said. “They get a wide variety of people and it’s amazing. We weren’t able to participate in this market before because we didn’t have enough people but this year we do, so we want to be a part of this because the city puts on really great markets.”

Along with Kale, Maria Kretschmann, owner of After the Fall Cider, expressed how her participation in Northside’s and Squirrel Hill’s markets has helped in promoting her ciders to communities that would be difficult to reach out to on her own.

“The farmers markets are a great place to get lots of people to see your products,” Kretschmann said. “No one really comes out to the farm to buy stuff so, farmers have to go into where the people are. And for me, I’ll be able to market to those in the North Side and Squirrel Hill.”

Kretschmann also said those wanting to see what the market has to offer should come out to not only engage with vendors but also to gain an experience they may not get at any other market outside of CitiParks.

“What are you waiting for?” Kretschmann asked. “If you really want to support the farmers market, come to the farmers market!”

Each market will take place on different days and times, running through mid-November.

• Northside, 801 Union Ave.,3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays through Nov. 17.
• Squirrel Hill, 5737 Beacon St., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 19.
• East End, Larimer Ave., 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Nov. 20.
• Carrick, 1529 Brownsville Rd, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 15.

For additional information pertaining to which vendors will be participating, check out CitiPark’s Farmers’ Market information at https://pittsburghpa.gov/events/farmers-market.