T
his May marks the eighth
consecutive year that the Ross
Township Farmers’ Market has
been bringing fresh farm-to-table
goods to residents of Ross Township and
surrounding communities.
The market was started by Chris Bauer
and Jerry Mazur. The two began the market
when another nearby market came to a close.
“A few of the vendors that were a part of that
market were still interested in continuing to
be a part of something local,” says Bauer. “We
gathered up those interested, enlisted a few
more and the rest is history.”
Bauer and Mazur have partnered with St.
John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church from the
start to provide the surrounding community
with a place to get fresh, local produce and
other food products.
“Unlike other markets, during the regular
season, we try to stay completely farm/food
based,” says Bauer. “We have other, non-
food vendors join us during ‘Market Plus’
days that take place in May and October.
We take pride in calling ourselves a true
‘farm’ market.”
While the Ross Township Farmers’
Market is on the smaller side in comparison
to other local markets, it offers a variety
of booths—not allowing more than two
vendors to sell similar items at a time, giving
customers more choices in what they can
purchase. Through the regular season, the
market has between 12 and 14 vendors,
adding five to six more during Market
Plus days.
The market offers endless choices
of flowers, vegetable plants and
hanging baskets; a huge assortment
of fruits and vegetables; locally raised
beef and other meats; Lebanese food/
Gyros; local honey and honey products;
Amish baked goods and breads; handmade
pasta, olive oils and vinegars; BBQ dinners;
gluten-free baked goods; fresh eggs; vegan
soaps & skin care; snacks, jams and jellies;
and even treats for fur babies!
“Farm markets are so important,” says
Bauer. “They promote the ‘Mom and
Pop’ businesses in the area; you get the
freshest produce for your family—usually
picked that day. Most other food items are
homemade, not from a factory, and it’s a
way for the community to come to socialize
and build new friendships. I especially enjoy
watching the older crowd that stops by
regularly. They become good friends with the
vendors and often sit in the pavilion to shoot
the breeze with other neighbors— making
for great community.”
He adds, “Our local market is truly a
service to the community in many different
ways.” When Bauer and Mazur approached
St. John’s Church about hosting the market,
they agreed to, but the church collectively
decided not to accept money for the use of
the lot. Instead, St. John’s felt the vendor fees
should go back into the community. The
funds are donated to the local North Hills
Food Bank through the church. Those fees,
along with a donation bucket, have totaled
more than $2,000 each year to help Ross/
West View families in need.
The Ross Township Farmers’ Market is
held every Wednesday—rain or shine—
from mid-May through October from 3 to
7 p.m. at 920 Perry Highway, across from St.
John’s Church.
For more information, contact Chris
Bauer at 412.303.1322 or leave a message
on the Facebook page—Ross Twp
Farmers’ Market. n
ROSS TOWNSHIP
❘
SUMMER 2019
13