It was towards the end of the season last year when I became deeply appreciative of the Thornton Farmer’s Market. It’s not because I realized what a habit it had become to share a great chicken barbecue with my son after a tennis match at Thornbury Park every Saturday, or buying a freshly cut bouquet of homegrown flowers from Maxine, or knowing that the locally produced honey is helping everyone’s flowers and vegetables. It’s wasn’t the homemade baked and canned goods or the really cool jewelry. My appreciation stemmed from seeing friendly and familiar faces week after week. Not of just the vendors, but of my neighbors. We eat lunch under the canopy and kids learn about growing their own food or get to pet an alpaca. Collectively, we are all doing something to lower carbon footprints, eat healthier and help the environment. We are advancing our local connection, which can get lost in our busy lives of electronic devices and on-demand ordering of food and clothing. Everything slows down at the Farmer’s Market. At the Farmer’s Market we know where things come from and who makes them.
The commitment of the vendors who not only make the goods, but show up every Saturday, eager to serve in good weather and bad, is a testament to their dedication. They define one of the great aspects of our community and are a bright spot in my week. When the market closes for the season, its followers eagerly await the annual Holiday Market, which was an instant success several years ago, much to the credit of Donna Wetterlund, organizer of the Thornton Farmer’s Market and Holiday Market.
If there ever was a world disaster, these would be the people I’d like to be stranded with. They know what to do and how to do it. Each has their own gift, whether it is growing produce or making handmade soaps, clothing or dog treats. This is sustainable living at its best.
In my mind, Thornbury wouldn’t be Thornbury without the Thornton Farmer’s Market.
The Farmer’s Market opens on Saturday May 12th and continues most Saturdays through October and is located in the open field adjacent to Thornbury Park on Glen Mills Road. Hours are 10am-1pm, so mark your calendars and check out the following small businesses:
Here is a complete list of the 2018 vendors:
- Bob Yoder– Yoders Country Packages- Angus Beef, beef jerky, plants, veggies and eggs, Corn, hanging baskets and annuals, mums and pumpkins
- Edie’s Sweet & Savory Pastries: pies, cookies, artisan bread, quiches and pot pies (opening up a shop in downtown West Chester)
- Lisa of Yes, I Can– relishes, jams, jellies, pickles, BBQ sauce, batter breads, eggs
- Roxanne of RockSands– pottery and jewelry
- Maxine’s Flowers: fresh-cut flower arrangements, hand dyed linens
- Rich of Heartstone Orchard: native plants, herbs, heirloom tomato plants, vegetable plants, perennials, orchard fruit, peppers and tomatoes
- Van of The Artistic Garden: miniature succulent gardens, table top gardens, concrete garden ornaments
- Carmen of Carmen B’s Honey: local raw honey in various sizes
- Erin of EG’s Homesewn: custom aprons for children and adults, kids activity table
- AJ of Cocky Gourmet Confections: nut and seed brittles and toffee
- Thomas of Gladiolus Farm– veggies, flowering plants, corn, pumpkins
- Pam of Trotter Hill Alpacas, Wool, yarn, felt, woolen products including shoe inserts, clutch purses, toys, Alpaca Petting Pen, spinning demos
- Tim and Terry of Urban Essence Salon and Spa– handcrafted soaps, lotions, scrubs, home fragrance
- Richard’s Puzzles-Handcrafted wooden puzzles for young and old
- Nate’s Funky Photos– Photographs of local scenes, postcards and luggage tags
- Deb- Debbydos: Crystal Towers for gardens
- Margie’s PawPaw Fruit: September ripe pawpaws
- Eleanor’s Peonies: Cut peony stems, rootstock of award-winning peony varieties
- Phyllis of Phylydoll’s Cards: Greeting cards, Stationery sets and paper-crafted desk sets and gifts.
- JB’s Afrikan: Tribal baskets, jewelry, totes, prepared food, assortment of produce, iced tea
- Dan of Fireworks Mobile Woodfired Oven: woodfired pizzas, salads, beverages, cookies, vegetarian pita sandwiches prepared on site
- Donna of Bruno Bits Dog Treats: handcrafted artisan style dog treats in gourmet flavors, dog shampoo and dog bone pillows
- Naomi of Three Sisters Mac and Cheese: Southern Style baked macaroni and cheese.
Stay connected with the Thornton Farmer’s Market on their Facebook Page!
I hope to see you there!
The Nature of Delaware County 
Love this!!
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Thank you Donna!
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