The Dirt: What To Get At The Farmers Market This Weekend


The balmy weather out there is hardly befitting the Let it Snow and Frosty the Snowman lyrics being forcibly piped into every retail establishment at this time of year, but it sure does make for pleasant strolling through all the Christmas-y outdoor activities in the city this weekend. Get a firm grasp on holiday shopping by picking up some edible and otherwise locally-made gifts at the farmer’s markets this week. Here are a few suggestions.

Mushroom Grow Kits – This is, hands down, the coolest Christmas gift option out there. Set up your your mom or your brother or whomever with a kit to grow-their-own mushrooms with a kit from Primordia! Place a pre-order this weekend at Chestnut Hill or Clark Park.

Coffee– Unless you’re dealing with someone who hates all coffee in life, in which case you should probably evaluate your choices in friends/family members, lovely coffee is a no-brainer of a gift. Pick up some of Philly Fair Trade Roasters single origin selections at Headhouse or Rittenhouse this weekend.

Living Ornaments – With their beautiful array of succulents in custom planters, the coolest vendor at the Rittenhouse Market is 4Mula. Treat yourself or a friend to one of their handmade holiday ornaments adorned with living plants.

Pickles, Jams, & Nut Butters – If you had to pick a one-stop-shop for edible holiday gifts it would have to be Green Aisle Grocery. Shop their rainbow selection of jams, pickles, preserves, and nut butters at either Headhouse or Rittenhouse and as long as everybody on your shopping list likes to eat you’ll be sure to find something for each of them.

Cookies & Canele – Don’t show up empty-handed to that office party, bring some sweets! Find Flour & Oats cookies at either the Rittenhouse or Bryn Mawr markets. These are handmade, small-batch cookies in seasonal flavors like the Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodle and the Chai Spice Shortbread. Plus, Market Day Canele will be holding down their tables at Chestnut Hill, Rittenhouse, and Headhouse with their sophisticated sweets as usual.

Marshmallows & Cacao Nib Brittle – The Chocolate Clinic, a new vendor, is making their first visit to the Chestnut Hill market just in time for gifting season. Pick-up some of their snappy brittle studded with fair-trade cocoa nibs, or some of their classic vanilla marshmallows or their pumpkin marshmallows dusted with cocoa.