GEDP Kicks Off a Month of Earth Day Events & Programs

The nonprofit Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) is getting a head start on Earth Day. Throughout the month of April, several GEDP programs will offer events, educational opportunities and promote environmentally-friendly practices.

Easton Out Loud Goes Green

Starting in early April, the Easton Out Loud team will be distributing postcards to participating Downtown Easton businesses and Easton Public Market vendors that encourage them to commit to and share the proactive steps they’re taking to be more environmentally friendly. It’s part of Easton Out Loud’s Go Green theme for April. Business owners are encouraged to fill out and display their cards at their location, as well as on their social media feeds. 

  • Visitors and neighbors can view the cards during Easton Out Loud, presented by Highmark. During Easton Out Loud, visitors can stop by Easton Public Market to get free flower seed packs from Easton Garden Works and to learn about Easton’s 12-Step Climate Action Plan with staff from Nurture Nature Center. (5-9 p.m. April 22, Downtown Easton)

Get to Know Easton Garden Works

Easton Garden Works oversees six community gardens throughout Easton. Learn more about this program and tour the Lower Hackett Garden (and new greenhouse!) during an Earth Day Celebration co-hosted with the City of Easton Urban Forestry and Easton Urban Farm. City Forester Rob Christopher, Community Gardens Coordinator Miranda Wilcha and Mark Reid, of Easton Urban Farm, will be on site hosting activity tables. Visitors can stop by several activity tables and learn to make pollinator and repurposed crafts, explore gardening and compost tea demos, pick up free seed trays and seedlings, get tips on growing tomatoes and visit with Easton-based organizations. PAZA Tree of Life will host presentations on traditional Native American cultural and agricultural practices. There will be sustainability and gardening giveaways, as well as tours of the microforest and greenhouse. (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24, Lower Hackett Park, 1901 Wood Ave., Rain date – May 1)

Find Sustainable Products at Easton Public Market

Over the last two years, the nonprofit Greater Easton Development Partnership has been looking for ways to reduce its environmental impact. Solar panels have been added atop the Easton Public Market and the market has added bottle refill stations, refillable soap containers, energy-efficient lights and hand dryers, as well as occupancy sensors.

The Highmark Farmstand, recognized in 2019 by the Alliance for Sustainable Communities Lehigh Valley, eliminated plastic bags in 2018, and sources a majority of its products from local and regional producers. The Highmark Farmstand stocks a line of reusable shopping bags and eco-friendly Swedish dishcloths. In 2022, a misfits basket was introduced, offering slightly blemished produce at a reduced rate. 

To celebrate Earth Day, enjoy the following events and happenings at Easton Public Market:

  • Juicing & Smoothie Talk: Jackie Rueda, of Green Vida Co. Downtown, will discuss the various health benefits of Green Vida’s fresh, cold-pressed juices and smoothies. (1-2 p.m. April 24, EPM Kitchen)
  • Launch of new reusable glass smoothie jars: Green Vida Co. Downtown will also launch a new line of reusable glass smoothie jars on April 29. Green Vida offers a monetary incentive for customers who return the bottles so they can be washed and reused. Customers who order a smoothie will have the option of buying a glass jar at a low cost. Customers get to keep the jar and may bring it back for their next smoothie purchase and receive a BYO credit. The glass smoothie jars will complement the glass juice jars that Green Vida introduced in July 2021 (over 3,500 returned and reused to date!). Green Vida also sends leftover juice pulp to local chicken farmers and sources to-go packaging made from plants that is biodegradable and compostable. Green Vida is obtaining their Green Restaurant Association ® Certification by the end of April (dinegreen.com).

Sponsor a Planter in Downtown Easton

Easton Main Street Initiative (EMSI) has also launched an appeal for sponsors for the 140+ planters that dot Downtown Easton. Planter sponsorships run for three years and cost $300. Planters are filled and refreshed with flowers and greens four times a year by EMSI volunteers and the Easton Ambassadors. The funds support the purchase of blooms and include a dedication plaque adhered to each planter. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/plantersponsors.