Vendor - Mark Toigo of Toigo Orchards

Mark Toigo, owner of Toigo Orchards, has been participating in the Arlington Courthouse Farmers' Market now for 14 years. The farm, located in Shippensburg, PA, dates back to 1690, when grains, fruits and row crops were grown and sold locally. Mark purchased the land in the 1960's and acquired more land in the 1980's, resulting in the 480 acres of land farmed today. Originally a family business, the farm has expanded to such a size that additional help is required for most of the daily operations, sales, and marketing.

Many varieties of fruit are produced on the farm, including berries, cherries, raspberries, apricots, peaches, apples, and pears. In addition to fruit production, Toigo Orchards specializes in greenhouse production, row crops, and specialty food items. Heirloom tomatoes, corn, and herbs are among the crops produced on the property. The farm produces its own brands of heirloom tomato sauce, horseradish, and mustard. Honey is available at the stand, as Toigo Orchards also oversees 75 bee hives on the property. Toigo Orchards produces many varieties of juices and ciders. Look for their holiday cider, a blend of New England cranberry concentrate and pure apple juice, to make its debut soon. Mulled hot cider has also been available for sale most weekends this fall.

When asked what makes the Courthouse Farmers' Market special, Mark responded that it is definitely the sense of community and customer base that this market offers. Selling wholesale, which the farm does given its size, does not provide the level of satisfaction that one-on-one customer interactions offer every Saturday.

What can Courthouse Farmers' Market patrons look for in upcoming weeks? Naturally, apples and pears are plentiful at the stand now. Be sure to try the unique Seckel pear, a small variety dating back to Medieval times. These gems are pure sweetness! Look for holiday ciders and tomato sauces as well.