GRCA_CommerceQuarterly_Spring2018 - 40

in your community

Exciting Season Ahead for
the Penn Street Market
Contributed by Penn Street Market

E

very Thursday starting on June 7 to September 27 from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Penn Street Market will transform
Penn Square at 5th and Penn Streets into a vibrant
destination in the heart of downtown Reading. The Market is a
place for all to shop and enjoy access to:
* Local farm produce
* Fresh meats
* Baked goods
* Locally owned restaurants & food truck vendors
* Food Trust cooking demonstrations with a focus
on healthy eating
* Live entertainment featuring local musicians
* Various kids activities

Access to Affordable, Healthy Food
This year, the Market is excited to welcome back many of the
vendors Market patrons have come to know and love. Local farm
vendors will be bringing fresh produce into the City throughout
the summer - including a variety of nutritious, high-quality
vegetables, fruits, and meats - a true farmers market!
The majority of the produce at the Market is sourced locally
and, in most cases, sold directly from farm to consumer. Because
the produce does not have to travel far, it cannot get any fresher!
Buying food directly from the producer brings down the cost
while supporting the growers, farmers, and the local economy.
City residents and nearby office-dwellers alike will be able to walk
a few blocks and have their pick of a diverse variety of fresh and
affordable locally-grown goods.
This year, the Market will continue to accept Supplemental
Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and feature
regional and local incentive programs. Eligible shoppers can utilize
Berks Farm Bucks, sponsored by the Friends of Reading Hospital,
which matches Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (S-FMNP) food
assistance programs. The Reading Food Bucks program, sponsored
by The Food Trust of Philadelphia, matches $2 for every $5 of
SNAP transactions at the Information Stand.

40 COMMERCE QUARTERLY

SPRING 2018

A Driver of Revitalization
Think of any thriving urban area and most likely there is not
only one, but perhaps multiple farmers markets in the community.
The link between a thriving community and farmers markets is
no coincidence. Studies have shown that farmers markets are key
drivers of downtown revitalization across the United States.
Knowing the power of farmers markets, the Penn Street
Market has become a critical component in the strategic work
in downtown revitalization being spearheaded by the Greater
Reading Chamber Alliance.
So, what makes farmers markets drivers of revitalization? The
location of the Penn Street Market activates a highly visible and
currently underutilized public space. This visibility encourages
foot traffic and in turn walkability. In addition to supporting local
agriculture, the Market targets a variety of demographics. The
cross-section of people coming together every Thursday from



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