Good Food Fest, the epic farmers market in Southeastern PA, has become a signature annual event for the region. This celebration of local food and agriculture began in 2019 and just keeps getting better. There are over 100 local farmers and producers, food trucks, culinary demos, farm animals and more. About 4,500 locavores pour onto the Kimberton Fairgrounds for this day-long agricultural event, brought to you by Growing Roots Partners and made possible by presenting sponsor Kimberton Whole Foods. With so much to see and taste at GFF, we’re helping you get the most out of your visit.
We chatted with GFF event director, Christy Campli, who shared some strategies for optimizing your Good Food Fest experience in 2025. Get a sneak preview of this year’s debut vendors and old favorites, a run-down of ticket and transportation options, and tips for planning out a fun-filled festival day from top to bottom.
Getting There & What to Wear
Good Food Fest takes place at the Kimberton Fairgrounds, just west of Phoenixville (762 Pike Springs Rd., Phoenixville), on Sunday, November 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking and the festival are all on mixed, natural terrain, so wear comfortable footwear for walking. If you choose to drive or carpool, leave yourself about 15 minutes extra for the light congestion at the entrance and the short walk from your car to the event. There will be limited accessible parking on paved spots.
New this year, GFF is offering roundtrip bussing from Philadelphia, in partnership with Edible Philly. The bus departs from the 10th & Reed Acme parking lot in South Philly at 9:40 a.m. and from Drexel University (location TBD) in West Philly at 10 a.m. Bus tickets are $10 and include roundtrip travel, a reusable tote, locally made snacks and water, the Fall Issue of Edible Philly magazine and other great swag. Spend the day at GFF (separate admission ticket required) and depart for home at 3 p.m.
Campli says, “We wanted to make it easier to connect our Philly friends with the event. A lot of the GFF vendors attend farmers markets throughout Philly, so people may be familiar with them and it’s a fun way to see them all in one place.”
Besides comfortable footwear, layers are helpful with the typical temperature swings of autumn. GFF is a rain or shine event that’s primarily under cover, so most of it will stay dry. Still, pack a poncho or umbrella if there’s rain in the forecast.
Ticket & Volunteer Options
There are three ticket levels for GFF. General admission tickets are $10 (with a $5 pre-sale rate until October 2) and get you access to the entire festival. Kids under 12 are free.
VIP tickets ($25) offer an enhanced experience and early entry at 10 a.m. “These tickets allow you an hour of premium shopping,” says Campli. “It will be a smaller crowd with shorter lines, so you’ll get a more intimate shopping experience and face to face time with the farmers and producers.” You’ll also get VIP parking and have the chance at special, complimentary treats. Look for flags on vendor tables for giveaways while supplies last!
Local Lover tickets ($50) get you all the VIP perks plus a canvas shopping bag and an investment in the local community. Campli says, “Local lovers contribute to the long term sustainability of the event. With their ticket, they’re investing in Good Food Fest, allowing us to attract the community with lower vendor and ticket fees. And, a portion of Local Lover tickets goes to the Chester County Food Bank.”
One way to score event access and become part of the GFF community is through volunteering. There are four shifts to choose from including set up, parking and clean up. Volunteers get free admission, a free GFF t-shirt and a unique, hands on experience. Campli says, “It provides a different perspective and direct interaction with vendors and customers. Volunteering contributes to our mission of supporting local farmers and producers and, if that’s the kind of thing folks are interested in, it’s a great place to be. Opportunities for growth do exist within GFF and Growing Roots, and it can all start with volunteering. It may seem like you’re just giving a few hours, but you’re helping this massive community event take place. So it’s really, really important and we are so grateful for our volunteers.”
Make a Plan
It never hurts to have a festival game plan. Your best sources of up-to-date information about GFF are the website, Facebook and Instagram pages and the Growing Roots newsletter. There will also be an info tent upon your arrival. “As soon as you get your wristband and walk in, there will be an event information tent in front of you,” Campli says. “Helpful staff will be there to greet and orient you to the festival. It’s a central place for anyone to go and ask any questions about the event.”
We suggest familiarizing yourself with the layout ahead of time. (layout photo). As you enter the festival, the farmers market vendors are straight ahead in the large barn and to the back right under two big tents. Be sure to review the list of producers before attending to find your must-sees. The vendors include growers, farmers, bakers and specialty makers of apothecary, herbal, apiary and fiber products. All of the vendor tables are lined up, side by side, so you can loop through each market area and see it all!
Tucked into the front right is the Demo Kitchen tent. Keep that on your radar for culinary demonstrations throughout the day, presented by the Chester County Food Bank, and be sure to get your seat early.
The food truck area is catty corner to the farmers market, in the front left. The perimeter of this open area is lined with local food trucks, and lines do start forming early.
Head to the pavilions in the back left for the GFF party. Pavilion B has a mix of farmers market vendors and friendly farm animals that draw smiles from all ages. Pavilion C holds the Pouring Room with local breweries, wineries, cideries, distilleries and more and backs up to the live music stage. There are plenty of picnic tables in the pavilions for eating, sipping and taking in the tunes of the live local bands.
Timing-wise, the earlier the better for everything from festival arrival to visiting the food trucks but, with a five-hour-long festival, there’s no need to feel rushed. To catch the live music of returning favorite, Frog Holler, visit the stage area some time between 1 – 4 p.m. And check out the Demo Kitchen schedule to plan accordingly.
Must-Eats
Whether it’s a hot, tasty meal from the food truck purveyors or prepared artisanal bites to take home and enjoy later, GFF has it all and then some! Here are a few of our must-eats at this year’s GFF:
- It’s a great year for dumplings. You’ll find Buenos Aires Empanada Bar, Diamond Eats patelitos and FORK’D Handmade Pierogies in the farmers market and Humpty’s Dumplings and The Polish Connection and Poppy Ski’s Pierogi in the food truck area.
- Check out one of Campli’s personal favorites, Bowl Face, in the farmers market. “Stock up on the best dips you’ll ever eat,” she says. This Bucks County based maker offers mouthwatering dips, dressing and sauces like spinach, provolone and truffle dip, chimichurri and pickled sriracha dip.
- Meat lovers, don’t miss Stonyrun Farms in the farmers market, with beautiful steak cuts of Wagyu beef to bring home.
- Fresh veggies will abound at GFF in 2025, and Kimberton CSA in the farmers market is a fabulous source for certified organic and biodynamically grown produce, grown and harvested by local farmers less than two miles from GFF.
- PA agriculture superstars the Painterland Sisters return to GFF this year with their creamy, dreamy organic skyr yogurt in flavors like vanilla bean, meadow berry and passion fruit. Find them in the farmers market.
- For a sip of something exceptional, find Amara Aperitivo, owned by renowned farm-to-table chef Ian Knauer of Roots to River Farm with Farmer Malaika and Amara Kitchen and Tasting Room in New Hope. This sippable, Spanish style vermouth is a blend of farm herbs and spices and wine combined with caramel and steeped with radicchio. The result is a bittersweet, botanical aperitivo full of dynamic flavors.
- Top it all off with something sweet from Hangry Bear Creamery, new to GFF in 2025. “They do a 14% fat base, PA Preferred premium ice cream,” says Campli. “It’s not a ‘frozen treat.’ It’s the real deal.”
Finally, Good Food Fest also offers prime shopping for the upcoming holiday season. Check off your gift-giving list as you peruse local honey, herbal tea, preserves, alpaca wool products, artisanal beverages and specialty wellness products.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Good Food Fest takes place on Sunday, November 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kimberton Fairgrounds, 762 Pike Springs Rd., Phoenixville. Purchase tickets online ahead of time, and get early access and other perks with the VIP and Local Lover ticket options. Follow GFF on Facebook and Instagram for the latest!
- Photos: Good Food Fest
