The Easton Farmers’ Market (EFM) announced today it will shift from its home in Centre Square to Scott Park on Larry Holmes Drive for its 268th season, as new safety measures take effect as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
“Since it was established in 1752, our market has survived world wars, the Civil War and the 1918 pandemic,” said Easton Market District Director Megan McBride. “If the market’s history and staying power have taught us anything in our 260+ years, it’s tenacity. No matter what, there will be an Easton Farmers’ Market. Yes, it’s going to be different this year, but there will be a market.”
McBride said she and her team have worked over the last several weeks, determined to ensure America’s oldest, continuously-operating open-air market would open as scheduled on Saturday, May 2.
“Farmers’ markets are vital,” McBride said. “Farmers markets support local farmers and producers, support our local economy, and provide access to fresh, healthy foods.”
The market will continue with its hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through November, with the first hour of shopping reserved for those 65+ and at-risk individuals. The change in location will afford both customers and vendors more room for socially-distant shopping.
“While there’s no place we’d rather be than in Centre Square, the layout and design of the circle poses some logistical challenges as we aim to keep customers and vendors safely spaced apart,” McBride said.
McBride notes that farmers’ markets offer a direct and crucial distribution channel for farmers whose wholesale and restaurant orders have changed significantly. Many have met the challenge of providing fresh, local foods through new online ordering sites, with some offering customers the option to pre-order and pick up their food directly at Easton Farmers’ Market.
Safety measures
McBride notes that while the market will operate differently this year, the goal will be to offer fresh foods from local farmers in an outdoor shopping environment that has fewer points of contact for shoppers. By order of the Commonwealth of PA Health Department, shoppers will be required to wear masks. All entrances and exits will be clearly marked, with Easton Ambassadors controlling the number of shoppers in the market at a given time, and helping to maintain a six-foot distance between shoppers and vendors.
A sanitizer station and foot-activated hand-washing sink will be available as customers approach the shopping entrances. Customers are asked to wash their hands before stepping into the market area, and to wash their reusable bags before bringing them to the market.
To maintain a safe, shopping environment, the market will not allow dogs in the shopping area and has canceled its children’s programming, events, and live music until further notice. Only one member per household will be allowed in the market at a time. Sampling of products or foods cooked on site will not be offered.
“There’s a sadness to this,” McBride says. “But the thing that’s still here is the wonderfully-grown and produced food that will be available in a beautiful, natural setting.”
All EFM staff and vendors will also wear protective gloves and masks. Vendors will be placed 10-20 feet apart. Vendors will sanitize their stations regularly. Only one member of a vendor’s staff will handle money. Signage will indicate where shoppers should wait, order, and pay for products. Cash, credit, and EBT will be accepted, but Venmo, PayPal, checks, and online pre-ordering from participating vendors is highly encouraged. Visit eastonfarmersmarket.com for online ordering information. EFM will not be selling credit card tokens until further notice. Several ATMs are located within walking distance of Scott Park.
Vendors
The market will welcome 25 vendors for its 2020 season. As customers walk through the market, they’ll be able to point-and-shop, pointing to the products they’d like to buy with only the vendors picking up and bagging the product.
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 bagged coffee (whole beans or ground), wine and kombucha.
Vendors include:
- Aladdin (Middle Eastern specialty foods)
- Apple Ridge Farm (produce, pastured pork & chicken, eggs, bread and baked goods) Online ordering available at Appleridge.net
- Backyard Growers (produce and plants)
- Breakaway Farms (pastured beef, pork, chicken and eggs) Online ordering available at Breakawayfarms.net
- Cabbage Throw Farm (organic vegetables)
- Comeback Orchards (organic fruit – coming in June)
- Doughnut Love (baked goods)
- Fieldstone Coffee Roasters & Tea (roasted coffee beans)
- Flour Shop Bakery (bread and baked goods) Online ordering available at order.flourshopbaking.com
- Holy Cow Farm (flowers – coming in June)
- Lakeside Maple (trail mix and nut butters)
- Little Miss Korea (Korean specialty foods)
- Peace Tree Farm (plants)
- Pheasant Hill Farm (flowers)
- Phillips Farms (fruit, vegetables and plants) Online ordering available at fellowfarmer.com
- Portch Tea (Kombucha) Online ordering available at portchteatogo.com
- Primordia Mushroom Farm (mushrooms) Online ordering available at primordiafarm.com
- Raspberry Ridge Creamery (sheep cheese and yogurt)
- Salvaterra's Gardens (organic vegetables)
- Scholl Orchards (fruit and vegetables)
- Stagecoach Apiaries (honey)
- Tierra de Fuego (Colombian specialty foods)
- Tolino Vineyards (wine)
- Tomblers Home Bakery (baked goods)
- Valley Milkhouse (cheese and butter) Online ordering available at valleymilkhouse.com
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 2020 EFM season include Capital Blue, Easton Hospital, Nurture Nature Foundation, Martin Guitar, Easton Coach Co., and The Easton Home.
For the safety and well-being of shoppers, vendors, volunteers, and staff, it is important that everyone follow these Market Safety Protocols during Covid-19 mitigation:
- All vendors, shoppers, and EFM staff and volunteers must wear protective masks by order of the Commonwealth of PA Health Department.
- The first hour (9 am – 10 am) is reserved for shoppers age 65 and over, and for those with underlying medical conditions.
- The Easton Ambassadors will control the number of shoppers in the market at any given time to ensure physical distancing.
- Only one person per household in the market shopping area at a time.
- Dogs are not permitted in the market shopping area at this time.
- Wash your reusable bag before coming to the market.
- Signage will be posted at the entrance to the market listing shopper safety guidelines – please observe and follow these guidelines.
- Hand washing and sanitizer stations will be located at the market shopping entrances
- Wash or sanitize your hands before entering the market shopping area.
- Pavement markings will indicate 6’ physical distancing.
- Adhere to 6’ physical distancing while in the market. Give space to those around you, at least 6’ while shopping and waiting in line.
- Only vendors and their staff may handle products; customers must not touch any produce or products before they are purchased.
- Double tables will ensure 6’ distancing between shoppers and vendors at check out.
- No ready-to-eat foods or beverages will be offered.
- Do not consume any foods while in the market shopping area.
- No sampling of products.
- Vendors will have one person dedicated solely to handling money.
- Stands will use two tables between shoppers and vendors to ensure 6’ distancing at check out.
- Vendors will have hand sanitizer at their stand for their use and customer use.
- EFM will provide additional hand sanitizers at INFO and EBT Tent.
- There will be no announcements, live or recorded music, or entertainment of any type.
- The EFM INFO tent will provide vendor maps, vendor product lists and payment information to help expedite your shopping trip.
- Please pre-order online when possible. Visit www.EastonFarmersMarket.com for a list of vendors offering e-commerce.
Additional Food Source
At the Easton Public Market, EFM’s indoor, year-round market, curbside pick-up is available for fresh foods and prepared meals from select vendors. See a list of participating vendors, menus, and ordering info at eastonpublicmarket.com. Fresh and nonperishable grocery items are available for curbside pick-up at the Highmark Farmstand. Food can be ordered 1-2 days in advance at store.eastonpublicmarket.com and shoppers can choose a pick-up time between 2-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. The Highmark Farmstand also accepts EBT, and provides LV Fresh Food Bucks, up to $10 per day.
ABOUT: Easton Farmers’ Market (EFM) is a program of the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP). EFM is America’s longest continuously-running open-air market. It is a producer-only market that features fresh, local produce - the vast majority of which is naturally/organically grown. Customers will also find antibiotic and hormone-free, pasture-raised meats, fresh baked goods, and ready-to-eat items. GEDP is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization focused on Easton’s economic well-being, historical integrity, vibrant culture, and hospitality. It is comprised of Easton Farmers’ Market, Easton Main Street Initiative, Easton Public Market, PA Bacon Fest and the Easton Ambassadors. For more information, visit eastonpartnership.org.
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