Ans.:  We pride ourselves as a "grower only" market. Not all crops can be grown in Centre County at any given time.  We believe the freshness of the locally grown produce will provide a better looking, better tasting and more nutritious food. Plus, the local agricurtural community is being stimulated.

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  Q.:  Why doesn't the market open before 11:30?

  Ans.:  The market members consider many things in order to select  the market starting time and decided to keep it at 11:30 for the benefit of both vendors and customers. Earlier starting times may prohibit many vendors from bringing the freshest of products. By having a set starting time of 11:30 A.M. sharp, everyone can plan when to arrive to purchase the freshest products that our vendors have to offer.

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  Q.: Where can I park to shop at the market?

  Ans.:  The market is fortunate to have two large parking areas just one block to the east and west. The Garner Street lot  located between Garner and Heister Streets is accessed from the 100 block of Garner Street. To the west is the McAllister Street parking garage. It is located on the east side of McAllister Street. It offers sheltered parking and 5 hr. meters. On street parking meters  on College or Beaver Avenues are less likely to be available and have a 2 hr. or less limit. If you plan on staying to enjoy the market longer, Pugh Street Parking Garage offers half rate parking after the first hour. It is just a block further west fron McAllister Street. See more about parking at :  street map and parking guidelines  .

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  Q.:  Is the State College Farmers' Market open any other day of the week?

  Ans.:  No. There are other farmers' markets in the area that are open other days of the week, but we only open on Fridays. Some of our vendors do sell at other markets or through farm stands or retail stores. Since each vendor is unique in how they operate sales outside the Farmers' Market you should contact them individually if they have a product you want at another time. Individual vendor information is available via: meet our vendors  .  

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    Q.:  Who determines prices charged for market products?

  Ans.: Each vendor determines the price charged for a product. Variation in prices are normal for products, especially produce where appearance, stage of maturity, measurement being offered for sale and varying production costs are involved.

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  Q.:  Why don't you have a farmers' market during the week of the State College Arts Festival?

  Ans.:  The State College Borough officials have determined that a market downtown during that week would create a traffic problem in the area. Also, many people trying to shop at that time would have trouble finding parking spaces nearby.

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  Q.:  Where can I get information on how to prepare a food item available at the market?

  Ans.:  Many vendors would be glad to share any preparation or processing information if they are knowledgeable in its use. Other customers are helpful sources of very good preparation methods. 

Note: If you would like to contribute an original recipe to our website recipes, we will acknowledge your name for the recipe. Just attach the recipe (with a small picture if you have one) with an email to: b2m@statecollegefarmers.com  . Please note the email subject as "My recipe". 

Also, the web has a wealth of information. Here are a few sites you may want to review:                                               

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  Q.:  Aren't all the produce items offered at the State College Farmers' Market organically grown?

  Ans.:  No. Although several vendors do offer organically grown produce and others may use  organically grown ingredients in baked items, that stipulation is not a requirement of our vendors. Some vendors use Integrated pest management or other reduced pesticide use practices in their operations.

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  Q.:  How does a Centre County resident become a vendor?

  Ans.:  Everyone producing their own products within Centre County is welcome to submit an application with the market president. The members abide by a set of guidelines in accordance with our mission statement.

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  Q.:  Do any of the vendors accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC) checks?

  Ans.:  Several vendors do accept the FMNP checks  in accordance with the guidelines provided by  The Bureau of Food Distribution of The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Look for the displayed FNNP sign at the vendor stand to determine which vendors accept the checks. View more information at the PA PowerPort at  www.state.pa.us  ( PA Keyword: "agriculture)".