Ros Fenton — Kennett Square Farmers Market Manager

Kennett Square, PA

How long have you been a market manager?

I started in the winter of 2016, not really knowing what I was getting myself into!

How did you first get involved with Kennett Square Farmers Market?

As a customer of the Kennett Square Farmers Market since moving here in 2012 and a long time supporter of farmers markets generally, a friend shared that the market's parent organization, Kennett Collaborative (formerly Historic Kennett), was looking for a new market manager. It ended up being the right fit at the right time, and I have enjoyed growing with the market and partnering with so many great people in our community.

What are some of your favorite products to look out for as the seasons change?

I try to eat with the seasons as much as possible, and I love the anticipation of the "firsts" in each season. Especially those with relatively short harvests like peas, sour cherries, and black raspberries!

I adore the abundant herbs of summer and use them with abandon. Fall favorites are the Esopus Spitzenburg (the perfect apple!), beautifully bitter radicchio, and tender broccoli. And winter's cold-kissed collards, kale and carrots are the sweetest!

Do you have a special market memory or experience you'd like to share?

It's hard to name just one, but something I have the privilege of witnessing "behind the scenes" is the community that is built amongst the producers. They help each other, check in on each other, trade goods, share ideas and methods, inspire each other, and collaborate. It's a beautiful thing!