New Vendors Sought for Pennsylvania Turnpike Farmers Markets

Three Markets Feature Locally-Grown, Produced Products

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania is looking for farmers interested in selling locally-grown products at farmers markets along the state's busiest highway.

Applications are now being accepted for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Plaza Farmers Market program, an effort involving the Department of Agriculture and the Turnpike Commission. It was developed to support Pennsylvania farmers, promote Pennsylvania products, and offer Turnpike travelers convenient access to fresh, locally-grown, high quality Pennsylvania products at competitive prices.

The markets, located at the Allentown Service Plaza in Lehigh County, Sideling Hill Service Plaza in Fulton County and New Stanton Service Plaza in Westmoreland County, operate from April 1 through Nov. 30. Hours are 11 a.m. until dusk on Fridays and Sundays and 10 a.m. until dusk on Saturdays, Mondays and holiday weekends.

At least half of gross sales must consist of products grown or produced in Pennsylvania. Value-added items like canned goods, candles, soaps, preserves and baked pies must not exceed 25 percent of the gross sales.

Vendors must submit a monthly report of gross sales. In 2010, the 10 participating vendors reported nearly $135,000 in sales.

Rules and regulations and the application are available at the Department of Agriculture at www.agriculture.state.pa.us under "Bureaus and Commissions," and "Bureau of Market Development."

For more information, contact Lela Reichart at [email protected] or by calling 717-783-1394.

Pennsylvania is home to more than 1,200 farmers markets. A complete list can be found at www.agriculture.state.pa.us by searching "PA Farm Markets."

Media contact: Jean Kummer, 717-787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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