Easton Farmers’ Market 269th Season to Bloom at Riverfront

Easton Farmers’ Market 269th Season to Bloom at Riverfront

The debut of the Easton Farmers’ Market (EFM), a program of the nonprofit Greater Easton Development Partnership, is only a few days away.

As in 2020, EFM, presented by Capital Blue, will be located at Scott Park, along Larry Holmes Drive. Moving from its Centre Square home allows for a more spacious, outdoor area, with free parking available in the two lots adjacent to Scott Park. Opening day for the 269th season will be May 1, and the market will continue 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from May-December in that location.

”During this last year our market proved its vital role in supplying fresh food to the community in a direct distribution channel from grower to customer. Our farmers met the challenges of 2020, and we’re proud to support them,” said Megan McBride, director-Easton Market District. “We also want to thank our shoppers, both loyal and new, who have made our market their go-to for fresh fruits and veggies.”

Masks will be required and social distancing will be encouraged in the shopping area. Hand sanitizer will be available at all vendor locations. The market is dog-friendly, and well-behaved dogs will be welcome. Reusable shopping bags are encouraged.

The market will introduce a new Market Rewards system where customers can get a coupon for an exclusive discount or freebie, that’s good that day at a participating Downtown Easton business. Supplies will be limited, with only 100 coupons available at the market’s Info and Welcome tents. The select business will be announced in the weekly e-update. Sign up at: eastonfarmersmarket.com/newsletter.

“We’re not in the circle like we used to be, but we are still within walking distance of so many great Downtown Easton businesses,” McBride said. “Our hope is that the EFM Market Rewards connects our riverfront to the more than 40 storefronts in Downtown Easton and encourages our customers to make Saturday their shopping day.”

New this season

The market will welcome four new vendors this year, including:

  • FD Market (sustainable cleaning products and home goods with refill station)
  • Inna’s Pierogi Shop (first Saturdays only)
  • Pocono Apiaries (local honey)
  • Zekraft (seasonal soups, salads and crostini)

Live music, a dining area and special events will return for the 2021 market season. The special events schedule features a few new offerings along with old favorites.

May 22 – *NEW* Barnyard Day (Kids can visit with and learn about goats, sheep, cows, rabbits and more. Plus, families can enjoy barnyard animal crafts.)
June 5 – Strawberry Day
June 19 – *NEW* Juneteenth (EFM will highlight African American performers and artists, and offer an exhibit on the history of black farming in America.)

June 26 – Honey Bee Day
July 10 – EFM 269th Birthday
July 24 – Zucchini 500
Aug. 7 – Peach Day
Sept. 4 – Sunflower Day
Sept. 18 – Chile Pepper Day
Oct. 9 – Apple Jam
Oct. 30 – *NEW* Pumpkins & Pooches (Families can enjoy pumpkin carving and painting, as well as a Halloween pet costume contest.)
Dec. 4 – *NEW* Farm Photos with Santa (Hop aboard our vintage pick-up truck and take a family holiday portrait or a pic with your fur baby and Santa Claus.)

The market is also promoting ‘pedal power’ and encouraging customers to ride to the market and fill their baskets with fresh goodies.

“Since we are literally located along the D&L Trail, we want to better accommodate cyclists so we’re now offering a bike valet and a supervised bike corral,” McBride said.

New merchandise will be coming this season, including; reusable market bags, and new designs in infant, toddler, youth and kids tees. Doggie tees will also be featured later this season. The market, in partnership with Easton Main Street Initiative, will be offering weekly guided FAM(iliarity) Tours at 10:30 a.m. Tours will be approximately 30 minutes long and will leave from the West parking lot entrance.

Good Eats

This season, the market will welcome 26 full-time vendors and 20+ rotating guest vendors (crafters, artisan foods and local libations). Vendors will be offering pasture-raised meats and eggs; local and naturally-grown fruits and veggies; vegetable and ornamental plants and cut flowers; fresh bread and baked goods; cheese; honey; specialty packaged foods; as well as coffee, wine and kombucha.

Vendors include:

  • Aladdin (Middle Eastern specialty foods)
  • Apple Ridge Farm (produce, pastured pork & chicken, eggs, bread and baked goods)
  • Breakaway Farms (pastured beef, pork, chicken and eggs)
  • Cabbage Throw Farm (organic vegetables)
  • Fieldstone Coffee Roasters & Tea (roasted coffee beans)
  • FD Market (sustainable cleaning products and home goods with refill station)
  • Flour Shop Bakery (bread and baked goods)
  • Haven Farmstead Table (handcrafted cheeses)
  • Holy Cow Farm (flowers – coming in June)
  • Jersey Pickles (pickled veggies)
  • K&S Grille (crab cakes, seasonal sandwiches featuring a full line of their own Spring Valley microgreens, salads, freshly-squeezed lemonade)
  • Little Miss Korea (Korean specialty foods)
  • Phillips Farms (fruit, vegetables and plants)
  • Pie+Tart (local baked goods)
  • Pocono Apiaries (local honey)
  • Portch Tea (Kombucha)
  • Primordia Mushroom Farm (mushrooms)
  • Raspberry Ridge Creamery (sheep cheese and yogurt)
  • Salvaterra’s Gardens (organic vegetables)
  • Scholl Orchards (fruit and vegetables)
  • Tierra de Fuego (Colombian specialty foods)
  • Terra Cafe (fruit smoothies)
  • Tolino Vineyards (wine)
  • Tomblers Home Bakery (baked goods)
  •   Twin Maple Farms (sweet corn season only)
  •  Zekraft (seasonal soups, salads and crostini)

Vendors accept cash, credit, Venmo, PayPal, checks and EBT. Visit eastonfarmersmarket.com for online ordering information for participating vendors.

Easton Farmers’ Market will continue to accept EBT as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Thanks to a USDA grant through Buy Fresh Buy Local of the Greater Lehigh Valley (BFBLGLV), the market will offer LV Fresh Food Bucks with EBT purchases matched by BFBLGLV, up to $10 per day. Those enrolled in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for qualified seniors, and those in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in New Jersey and Pennsylvania will be able to use their vouchers at produce vendors who participate in their state’s programs.

Sponsors for the 2021 EFM season include: Capital Blue, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Air Products, IBEW Local 102, Nurture Nature Center, Easton Coach, Lehigh Valley Center for Sight and The Easton Home.