2013 Farmer's Market Under Way at Caste Village

Mondays in Whitehall Borough are just different during the summertime—for a good reason.

Starting June 3, the Caste Village parking lot will welcome a bevy of entrepreneurs and customers for an annual Farmer's Market that runs through Sept. 30 this year.

The event last from 3 to 7 p.m. every Monday, with the opportunity for customers to buy food goods, including homemade treats and fresh and often locally grown produce.

On June 3, shoppers can receive a free tote bag (while supplies last). New vendors this year include The Pittsburgh Cookie Goddess, specializing in gluten-, wheat- and sugar-free baked goods; the Allegheny City Smokehouse, with smoked meats; and A Taste of Italy, featuring cheese & pepperoni bread, zucchini parmesan and many more Italian stuffed rolls.

"It's a lot of logistical work," Whitehall's Recreation Director Kelly Joyce said during a previous year's Farmer's Market, "but, really, they (the vendors) do all of the physical work—the set-up and whatnot.

"It's a lot of planning—finding the right vendors, finding the right variety of people to be here—but it's worth it without a doubt. Every week, when I'm here and I see how many people are here and benefiting from it, it's definitely worth it ...

"The vendors are really from everywhere. They come from all around. It's a great market. They love it, they love the people, the people love them, and they keep coming back."

Vendors rent a space from the borough for $250 for the entire season.

"Most of them make that back in a week," Joyce said.