Farmers Markets Set To Open!
Essential Producer-Only Farmers Markets Slated to Open in May
Five local producer-only farmers markets are poised to open early next month, bringing fresh food straight from the farm, directly to consumers.
On Saturday, May 2, Easton Farmers Market, Nazareth Farmers Market and Trexlertown Farmers Market will open for the season. Emmaus Farmers Market and Saucon Valley Farmers Market will open on Sunday, May 3. Bath Farmers Market and Northampton Borough Farmers Market are planning for mid-May openings, and the Bethlehem Rose Garden Farmers Market is set to open June 6.
Last month, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf designated local farms and farmers markets as essential businesses able to operate during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent government shutdown. The markets all feature a variety of vendors selling items like seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy, baked goods, and more. Producer-only farmers markets require vendors to grow or make their own products.
“At a time when we are reading articles about the failings of the industrial food system supply chain, our local farmers are working to make sure Lehigh Valley residents have access to fresh, healthy and delicious food,” said Allison Czapp, director of Buy Fresh Buy Local of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “Our local growers are able to adapt to rapidly changing situations. The benefits of farm to plate, in terms of fewer hands touching your food and getting food where it needs to be, have never been more apparent.”
Producer-only farmers markets offer a shopping experience that could make it safer for customers to buy food. All producer markets in the Lehigh Valley are held outside in open spaces, making it easier to maintain social distancing. There are no shopping carts or baskets to touch, and the markets are enacting strict new guidelines to keep people distanced and market locations safe and sanitized.
“We want customers to know that although the markets will operate differently this year, our farmers are supporting their communities like never before,” Czapp said. “We are very much looking forward to the time markets can serve as fun social spaces again, but until then, we encourage all Lehigh Valley residents to support the farmers who are working so hard to make sure we stay fed.”
Czapp noted that all visitors to farmers markets must wear face masks in accordance with new state regulations. She urged customers to be patient while vendors and market managers work to maintain safe shopping spaces.
For more information about how the local food system is responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as tips for shopping local and a list of open farm stands, markets and stores, visit bit.ly/local-food-resources.
Buy Fresh Buy Local of the Greater Lehigh Valley is working to build the Greater Lehigh Valley local food economy by educating consumers about the many benefits of choosing locally grown foods; promoting local food providers; improving fresh food access; facilitating local food purchases by wholesale buyers; providing research about our local food economy; and convening the Thriving Local Food System branch of the Food Policy Council.
BFBLGLV is a program of the Nurture Nature Center, a 501(c)3 organization. Buy Fresh Buy Local is a network of Chapters across the country, dedicated to increasing the economic viability of small family farms and strengthening regional food systems by expanding markets for locally produced foods.
Lehigh Valley Producer Only Farmers Markets Opening May 2-3, 2020
Saturday, May 2
Easton Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9am-1pm
New, temporary location will be announced soon
https://eastonfarmersmarket.com/
Nazareth Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9am-1pm
Center Square (Main & Center Sts., Nazareth)
https://www.nazarethfarmersmarket.com/
Trexlertown Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9am-noon
1151 Mosser Rd, Breinigsville (at Valley Preferred Cycling Center … aka The Velodrome)
http://trexlertownfarmersmarket.com/
Sunday, May 3
Emmaus Farmers Market
Sundays, 10a-1p
Triangle Square Park, Emmaus
http://emmausmarket.com/
Saucon Valley Farmers Market
Sundays, 9a-1p
409 Constitution Av, Hellertown (next to the Hellertown Public Library)
http://www.sauconvalleyfarmersmarket.com/