After a week of Bon Appetit and instant oatmeal, I was highly anticipating my visit to the Clark Park Farmer’s market, which is up and running every Saturday morning until 2pm. The sunny weather forecast, coupled with the market’s promise of gourmet teas and homemade hummus only heightened my excitement. Visions of a picturesque West Philadelphia park lined with local vendors and flanked by a line of food trucks, wormed their way into my fervent imagination.
Photo By Amanda Shulman
In addition to the typical farmer’s market staples, unique beverages such as blackberry juice, homemade maple cinnamon granola, and other artisanal spreads and preserves, graced the market tables. To satisfy my sweet tooth, there were a plethora of Amish pies, doughy cookies, and vegan baked goods, made with healthy add-ins like flax and chia seeds.
Photo By Amanda Shulman
At the end of the single row of venders were the two lone food trucks – Zea Mays and Kung Fu Hoagies. The former offers a creative riff on Native American cuisine, featuring hearty ingredients like corn, bison, beans, wild rice, and chocolate. Kung Fu Hoagies is a vegetarian and vegan-friendly Vietnamese food cart that is usually situated on 38th and Sansom.
Photo By Amanda Shulman
I was able to pick up some locally grown produce and delicious homemade granola, as well as experience the community-oriented vibe that is so integral to the farmer’s market. Stands offering sales and information on alternative energy, tables selling “Friends of Clark Park” t-shirts, and the community youth soccer day that was being held in the field just behind the farmer’s market all informed its uniquely West Philadelphian spirit. The focus on localism made my trip to the Clark Park Farmer’s market a memorable Saturday experience, even if it was not in the way I imagined. With the return of warm weather, I expect that future trips to the Clark Park Farmer’s market will meet, if not exceed, my initial expectations