Springtime brings budding flowers, fairer weather and the weekly University Square Farmers Market, located on 36th Street between Sansom and Walnut streets.
 
Every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., from May through November, vendors set up to sell everything from fresh vegetables and fruits to artisan breads and locally roasted, fair-trade coffee.

“The farmers market has become a favorite destination on Penn’s campus and something the Penn community looks forward to every year,” says Marie Witt, vice president for the University's Business Services Division. “It is a great opportunity to support sustainable food practices and local farming, while at the same time enjoying everything from fresh vegetables to delicious desserts.”

Regular vendors at the market include: Hilltop Farm from Paradise, Pa., that sells baked and canned goods from local farms, along with fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs and cheese produced by Hilltop; Beechwood Orchards, selling locally grown peaches, plums, apples, strawberries, cherries and blueberries; John and Kira’s, selling gourmet artisan chocolate gifts and handmade confections and Metropolitan Bakery, offering freshly baked artisan breads, bagels, cookies, pastries, sandwiches and locally roasted coffees and organic teas.

This spring a number of new vendors plan to join the market, including Amaranth Gluten-free Bakery from Lancaster, Pa.; Philadelphia-based Better Butter, which makes all-natural peanut butter spreads and McCann’s Farm from Monroesville, N.J., selling tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, watermelons, blueberries and flowers.