Editing Philadelphia Farmers Markets (section)

== History ==

Philadelphia's market tradition extends to colonial times, when markets at designated locations provided food for the city. The twentieth century saw decline of public markets as supermarkets and suburban shopping changed food retail. The farmers market revival began in the 1990s as concerns about food quality, environmental sustainability, and community development created new interest in direct farmer-to-consumer sales.<ref name="farmers"/>

The Food Trust, a Philadelphia non-profit, has organized many of the city's farmers markets since 1992. The organization operates markets in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia, with particular emphasis on providing fresh food access in areas underserved by conventional retail. This public health orientation distinguishes Philadelphia's farmers market system from purely commercial operations.<ref name="farmers"/>