About Growing Roots

Growing Roots Partners (GRP) is a Pennsylvania-based farmers market coordinator and event management company dedicated to fostering vibrant communities by supporting small-scale, local food systems and artisans. With a focus on sustainability and economic impact, Growing Roots provides platforms for local farmers, food producers, and artisans to connect directly with consumers, creating a dynamic marketplace for locally sourced and crafted goods.

Since 2013, Growing Roots has operated three weekly, year-round farmers markets in Chester County (Eagleview, Downingtown, and Malvern). Growing Roots farmers markets feature a curated, diverse range of local producers—including seasonal produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, pantry staples, and more—ensuring a balanced, high-quality experience for shoppers while fostering a supportive environment for small businesses. They also provide the community with access to nutritious, locally sourced food and highlight the value and exceptional quality of locally produced goods.

In addition to weekly farmers markets, GRP also produces large-scale community events such as Good Food Fest, Craft & Mercantile, and other seasonal festivals in partnership with local communities and organizations. These events highlight the exceptional talents and products of the region while promoting the values of sustainability and community connection.

Founded on a deep commitment to local food systems and rooted in the belief that investing in local economies strengthens communities, Growing Roots collaborates with farmers, artisans, and local organizations to drive meaningful change. GRP’s vision is driven by a commitment to supporting its producers and showcasing the economic power of local marketplaces.

From its leadership’s passion for local food and community-building to its meticulous curation of farmers markets and events, Growing Roots brings heart, vision, sustainability, and meaningful connections to every endeavor.

GOOD FARMS, GOOD FOOD, GOOD PEOPLE
We are committed to supporting our people in a number of ways, primarily by telling the stories of our incredible producers in an effort to highlight their hard work, dedication, and endless contributions to the local food movement. A newer campaign centered around this is our “Good Farms, Good Food, Good People” farm to table cooking series. Watch the cooking series here.

EVENT PRODUCTION
In addition to our farmers markets, Growing Roots also produces the following community events in Chester County:

• Craft & Mercantile: seven monthly artisan night markets in Kimberton, Downingtown, Chester Springs, Malvern, and Eagleview

• Good Food Fest: one annual EPIC farmers market event in Kimberton

• Malvern’s Spring on King

• Downingtown Fall Fest

• Malvern’s Christmas on King

Plus, Radnor Fall Fest in Delaware County.

A wise woman (Hannah Fuller of Farmers Market Coalition) coined the phrase: “farmers markets don’t just happen” and market managers everywhere rejoiced. If you’ve ever wandered upon a farmers market, chances are there’s some hard working people behind the scenes who make sure the tents pop up in just the right places and the newsletters get sent out every week — amongst many other things. At Growing Roots, we believe strongly in the power of collaboration amongst inspiring and passionate minds. Here’s the small but mighty team of women behind our farmers markets:

Samantha Frazier: Operations Manager

Meet Samantha, whose journey into the world of farmers' markets began with weekly volunteering at the Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market in Arizona. Relocating to Tampa, she seamlessly integrated her passion for local communities by working with Tampa Bay Markets. Samantha's love for small businesses deepened through these experiences, as she witnessed the resilience and creativity within local markets. With a professional background in Sales and Marketing, Samantha has dedicated herself to fostering small businesses, contributing her expertise while working for a co-working space that actively cultivated entrepreneurship. Her culinary inspiration comes from a background in catering, where she discovered the joy of cooking with local, seasonal ingredients. Samantha is not just a market enthusiast; she is a fervent supporter of local businesses, driven by a desire to celebrate the unique stories and flavors that make each community special. Excitingly, Samantha now serves as the Operations Manager for Growing Roots Partners, channeling her passion into new avenues of community growth and sustainable support for local farms.

Selah Phillips: Farmers Market Manager

Selah returns to Growing Roots Partners as a past producer with Rafiki Africa (IYKYK) with a newfound role and passion for the importance of localized food systems as well as the value of eating locally and seasonally for one's overall health. Selah believes all persons deserve access to fresh, affordable, and healthy foods.

Selah brings 3 years farm, market and nonprofit management as well as 6+ years farmers market experience as a past producer at Lancaster Central Market, Growing Roots farmers markets and other market locations. Selah currently works as a laboratory technician in Wayne, PA and as a grant writer and researcher for organizations all over the Americas.

With her background in biology, farming and project management, Selah joins us as a Farmers Market Manager and is also leading grant funding and sponsorship strategies for Growing Roots Partners. She sees a lot of opportunity for partnership and collaborations between Growing Roots and other community organizations, as well as potential for improved producer successes through capacity building at an organizational level.

Reconnecting with Growing Roots Partners has been a grounding and beautiful experience as a new resident of the greater Philadelphia area, Selah is excited to be on board with such a great farmers market organization & looks forward to purposeful abundance this season and on!

Sam Rodgers: Farmers Market & Events Manager

Sam’s love for local food started during her college years at West Chester University, where she studied Graphic and Interactive Design. For her senior capstone project, she created “Farm U,” a food truck concept that brought fresh, affordable, local food to college campuses—a reflection of her early passion for making good food accessible.

After graduating, Sam spent six years as a User Experience Designer in Financial Tech, where she developed a deep understanding of how to create meaningful experiences and work through complicated problems. This, combined with her years working in the service industry, gave her valuable skills in problem-solving, collaboration, and connecting with others.

Her passion for food and wellness led her to become a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, where she has seen firsthand how food impacts not only our bodies but also the communities we live in. Now, at Growing Roots, Sam feels aligned with her values and is proud to support local farmers and artisans while fostering connections between people through markets and events.

When she’s not at the market, you’ll likely find Sam hiking with her husband and dog, frequenting coffee shops, reading a book, or enjoying a meal with friends and family.

Lisa O’Neill: Founder

Growing Roots was founded by Lisa O’Neill, who created and expertly managed the markets and numerous community events. After a decorated career as a dietician, Lisa dedicated her time and passion to local food and brought to life the Growing Roots markets that we know and love today. A word from Lisa:

Farmers markets were just the start, the seed that was the beginning of Growing Roots. A weekly community event bringing together shoppers in search of quality local food from amazing local farmers and food producers. The markets allowed me to connect my love of nutrition with my family’s farming roots. I quickly realized just how important these weekly farmers markets are to the livelihood of every farmer and food producer that trusts Growing Roots to help them succeed. 

Local farms, local food, local fun.

In 2021, she passed Growing Roots onto Christy and made her way to retirement in Charleston, SC. She now gets to enjoy unlimited time with her grandchildren and enjoy local food as a shopper!