Farmers market guide

3-7 p.m., May 22-Sept. 25 Info: In addition to food trucks selling lobster rolls and lobster tacos and fresh cinnamon rolls, it will feature Logan Family Farms (ground beef), Jose Quiroz Farm (vegetables and fruits) and Kern Farms (pork, chicken and freshly laid eggs). Pizzas, burgers, pies, shaved ice and hot dogs also will be available.

Tip: Kevin Kern of Kern Farms says when buying eggs look for ones that don’t look fragile. A dark brown egg from his stand indicates that it is from a “nice and young chicken” while a tan one is from a mature chicken.

Ross Farmers Market

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 920 Perry Highway 3-7 p.m., May 15-Oct.30 Info: Mazur’s Greenhouse and Daugherty Orchards sell flowers and plants. Meats from Leeper Meats, honey from Russellton Bee Works, olive oil, baked goods and prepared foods also are sold. Farmers selling vegetables usually start coming by the third week of June. May is Market-Plus month and features extra nonfood and farm vendors.

Tip: Sarris candy bars will be on sale on June 5. Procceds benefit the Colon Club, which raises awareness about colorectal cancer.

Tarentum Farmers Market

First United Presbyterian Church parking lot, 913 Lock St. (corner of Lock Street and 10th Avenue)

9 a.m.-1 p.m., June 12-Oct. 30 Info: It features produce, baked goods, pepperoni rolls and pierogies.

Tip: Main Squeeze Juice Truck, which sells cold-pressed raw juices, will roll in on the first and third Wednesday of the month.

THURSDAY Ambridge Farmers Market

624 Park Road, St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church parking lot (along Route 65)

4-7 p.m., May 2-Nov. 26. Its last day for the season is a Tuesday as it is Thanksgiving week. Also, closed on July 4.

Info: It features vegetables, fruits, flowers and plants that are grown in Beaver County and also hot foods and baked goods.

Tip: Robin Powell, who owns Ridgemont Farms and sells flowers, says cut a small part off the stem and change the vase water every two or three days to keep the flowers fresh. Beechview Farmers Market

Parking lot at Broadway and Beechview avenues

3-7 p.m., June 20-Sept. 12 (closed July 4)

Info: Zang’s Greenhouse and Jodikinos Farm Market sell vegetables, fruits and flowers. The market also features chicken, beef, pork, artisan breads and prepared foods.

Tip: When buying flowers, check the bottoms of the stems. They should be firm and green, not soft or slimy — an indication of age.

Downtown: Market Square Farmers Market

Market Square, Forbes Avenue and Market Place

10 a.m.-2 p.m., May 16-Oct. 31 (closed July 4)

Info: For its 15th season, it features 17 alcohol vendors in addition to those who sell vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, prepared foods and pet treats.

Tip: Cafe Agnes (Salvadoran food), Cherish Creamery (goat milk items), Conover Organic Farm, Real Fungi (foraged mushrooms) and Wise County Biscuits are the newcomers.

Etna Farmers Market

437 Butler St., across from the borough building

3-6:30 p.m., June 6-Oct. 24 (closed July 4)

Info: It features produce (Dillner Family Farm), fruit wines, honey, prepared foods, books, baked goods and spices.

Tip: Dillner picks and sells sweet corn the same day. Look for ears that are filled to the tip, and kernels that are tender and full.

Green Tree Farmers Market

905 Greentree Road (lower parking lot), Green Tree Park

4-7 p.m., May 23 -Oct. 31 (closed July 4)

Info: Back for the 12th season, it features 12 to 14 vendors selling produce (Simmons Farm, Bayer Farms and Jose Quiroz Farm), meat, cheese, pasta sauce, meatballs and prepared foods.

Tip: Knives and scissors are sharpened on the first Thursday of the month and can be picked up on the following day at the same venue. There also will be two or three cooking demos by chefs during the season.

Murrysville Farmers Market

3235 Sardis Road

3-7 p.m., June 6-Sept. 26 (closed July 4)

Info: The sixth annual market features 25 to 30 vendors selling vegetables, fruits, prepared foods and baked goods. Artworks and crafts are featured on the last Thursday of the month.

Tip: The Kids’ Club is from June 13 through Aug. 29 and has activities that focus on healthy eating and the environment. Olde Town Grove City Farmers Market

Near the gazebo at Joseph D. Monteleone Youth Festival Park 3-6 p.m., June 6-Oct. 31 Info: It features vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, Amish baked goods and honey.

Tip: Harmony Grove Farm in Harrisville will sell a variety of lettuces, including butterhead bibb, red butterleaf, green oakleaf and sweet crisp.

Upper St. Clair/Bethel Park Rotary Farmers Market

2040 Washington Road, Westminster Presbyterian Church parking lot

4-7 p.m., May 16-Sept. 26 Info: In addition to produce from Logan Family Farms, Simmons Farm and Dillner Family Farm, the market features prepared Mediterranean and Indian foods, honey, barbecued foods, bread, pies and shaved ice.

Tip: Logan Family Farms has a full inventory of Berkshire black pork this year. Joann Logan says the Berkshire pork has a darker muscle than most swine breeds. So it has a buttery texture, which makes it juicier when cooked. The farm also sells a boneless beef short rib, which is easier to prepare.

Verona Farmers Market

Verona Railroad Park, 736 E. Railroad Ave.

2-7 p.m., June 6-Oct. 31 Info: The market was started by Mayor David Ricupero in 1994. This year, it has 15 to 20 vendors, which include the returning favorite, Schramm Farms & Orchards, and a new vendor, Marshall’s Heritage Farm.

Tip: On the last Thursday of each month, food trucks will pull into the market from 3 to 6 p.m.

Washington: Main Street Farmers Market

139 S. Main St. at the municipal lot, Washington

3-6 p.m., May 16-Oct. 31 Info: It is the 16th year for the market and it will feature some new vendors — Bandel Natural Gardens, Heritage Craft Butchers, Marigold Farm, Oak Hill Farm and Hepinger’s Legacy Tavern.

Tip: Oak Hill Farm sells its beef as frozen cuts or as a beef bundle, which is an assortment of ground beef, roasts and steaks.

Wilkinsburg Farmers Market

Corner of South Trenton and Penn avenues

3-6:30 p.m., June 13-Nov. 14

Info: It features about 20 vendors selling produce (McElhinny Poultry Farm, McKinney Family Farm, Joikinos Farm Market and Frank’s Orchard), jams, prepared foods, lotions and clothing.

Tip: Special days such as health and wellness, and ones for seniors, families and small businesses are held throughout the season. FRIDAY

Cranberry Township Farmers Market

2525 Rochester Road (behind municipal building)

3-6 p.m., June 7-Oct. 25 Info: The producer-only market features nine vendors, including Sturges Orchards, Sutton Farms, Lutz Farms, Luke’s Sweet Gold (honey), Ed’s Pocket Meat(homemade beef jerky), and those selling jams, granola and baked goods.

Tip: “When buying asparagus, look for fresh bottoms and not woody ends,” says Aaron Sturges of Sturges Orchards. He also says the color of a cherry depends on the variety. If it has a brown or dried stem, it means it is old. Downtown: Mellon Square Park

Smithfield Street and Sixth Avenue at Mellon Square Park

10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., May 10-Oct. 25

Info: It features fruits and vegetables from Dillner Family Farms and Blackberry Meadows Farm, fish, honey, maple syrup, biscuits, artisan bread, pastries, coffee beans and prepared foods.

Tip: Cherish Creamery sells feta, chevre and some hard cheeses made with goat milk, Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds and premium sharp cow cheese. Forest Hills Farmers Market

Parking lot at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, 1840 Ardmore Blvd.

4-7 p.m., May 24-Oct. 25 Info: In its 17th season, the market is run by the Forest Hills Late Bloomers Garden Club and has 11 vendors. Bridge’s Farm & Greenhouses, McElhinny Farm and Wood Street Bakery have been coming since 2003. The new vendors this year are Olive and Marlowe, Pasta Bill, Philly Pretzel Factory, The Pickled Chef and Pitaland.

Tip: Fresh fruit and vegetable donations are sought on the second Friday of each month for the Harvest for the Hungry Day. Those donations will be delivered to the Turtle Creek Food Bank the following morning. Monongahela Farmers Market

Chess Park, Main and Seventh streets

3-6 p.m., June 7-Sept. 27 Info: Harden’s Family Farm and Triple B Farms sell vegetables and fruits. Prepared foods and ice cream also will be sold.

Tip: Bell peppers should be firm and feel heavy for their size. Avoid those that are shriveled or have soft spots. North Side Farmers Market

Allegheny Commons Park, East Ohio Street and Cedar Avenue

3-7 p.m., May 17-Nov. 22 Info: It features produce from Jose Quiroz Farm and Yoder Farms, smoked and frozen trout, flowers and plants, whiskey, wine and prepared foods.

Tip: When buying fresh fillets, go for the same size so that they cook evenly, says Meredith Seltzer, owner of Mill Creek Trout Farm in Utica. Because smoked trout is more dense and filling, she recommends buying half the quantity of fresh ones. MULTIPLE DAYS

South Fayette/Cecil: Original Farmers Market 151 Parks Road, McDonald 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Fridays in May; 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday in June, July, August and September; 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday and Friday in October and November.

Info: The open-air market with a roof features flowers, vegetable plants, vegetables and fruits. Come fall, it sells gourds and cider. In November, it sells baked goods and pine wreaths.

Tip: The market is not at full capacity until late July because that’s when most of the produce comes in.