John Brown, Country Club Drive, is president of the Mt. Lebanon Lions Club. He is also the manager of the Lions Club’s Farmers Market, which is open from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays through the end of October.
What makes a good market?
Shoppers want convenience and fresh, local food. We are located in the heart of Mt. Lebanon, one block from Mt. Lebanon High School at the intersection of Washington and Cochran roads. The Mt. Lebanon United Lutheran Church has generously allowed us to lease their 75 ADA accessible on-site parking spaces.
How soon do you start planning for the next season? What’s involved in the planning?
It’s a five-month dash to the finish. We begin planning in January. Our reputation has grown so favorably over the years that barely a week goes by without vendors calling to either join us again or asking to be part of the market. Our Lions Club volunteers work on marketing, logistics and recruiting help to set up, open and close the market each week.
The Lions is a 100 percent volunteer nonprofit organization. All proceeds go to our charities, which include the Mt. Lebanon Library, Leader Dogs, and the area’s Operation Safety Net.
Anything new this year?
The market this year offers more variety than any year in our three decades of operation. Our vendors include Anthos Greek Imports, Bad Azz BBQ, Baked True North Gluten Free, Billy’s Country Smokehouse, Compost People, Costello Apiaries/ Honey, Dee’s, Delights Baked Goods, Dilner Family Farms, Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh, Dot and Line Art Studio. Farm 57 Organic/ GMO Free, Gloria Jean Coffee, Greater Pittsburgh Flower Collective, Gryphons Tea, Joe’s Nuts, LVIV European Pierogies, Logan Family Farms, Mediterra Bakehouse, Mt. Lebanon Library, Mt. Lebanon Lions Brooms/ Bags, Nellie’s Pita, Paul’s Orchard, PS Square Scents, Sand Hill Berries and Pies, Scorch Garden Tacos and Salsa, Wild River Kettle Korn and Wu’s Shaved Ice.