Wintertime in Philadelphia brings gingerbread lattes and an abundance of pumpkin-flavored everything, but it also brings the disappearance of fresh fruits and vegetables available in outdoor farmers' markets.

That is, until now.

A group of farmers is preparing to take on the elements this winter in West Philadelphia to keep the Clark Park Farmers' Market open into the icy months.

The market, which is operated at 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, has traditionally closed after the Thanksgiving holiday, but this year it is set to run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second and third Saturdays in December. From January to April, it will operate on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

Last year was the pilot year for the winter farmers' market, which was open once a month from December to May.

This year, the expansion to two days a month shows the success of that experiment.

"You could really say that it was sort of by popular demand of the community," market organizer Brian Lang said.

"I think it's great," College junior Aileen Chen said. "You get fresh produce and it's fairly cheap. I really don't like to go to [Freshgrocer] because they're fairly expensive. ... [At Clark Park] you get to talk to the farmers, and you know where their stuff is coming from."

Chen went to the market last winter when it was open, and said she is glad that its availability will be expanding.

While the three big draws of farmers' markets -- tomatoes, corn and peaches -- will not be available, market organizers say produce lovers should not despair this winter.

The Food Trust, a nonprofit organization that runs the Clark Park market as well as 16 other markets in southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, lists an abundance of foods to look for in winter.

Among them are collard greens, Jerusalem artichokes, sunflower seeds, spinach, beets, onions and even apples.

Some of the produce, like the apples, are kept in cold storage to keep them fresh. Others are winter crops or are grown in hothouses.

In addition, customers can look for dairy products, free-range meat, eggs, maple syrup and cookies.

Lang pointed out that fruits and vegetables are even more important in the winter season.

"The cold and flu seasons peak during the winter," Lang said. "We need to maintain a constant intake of foods that contain vitamins such as A, B, C and E to bolster our bodies' defenses."

Lang said the Food Trust toyed with the idea of moving the market to an indoor location but decided customer confusion would make it not feasible.

Just "dress warmly," Lang said.

Another Food Trust market, the Fitler Square Market located at 23rd and Pine streets, will continue into the winter as well.