Farmers Market Coalition

Easton Farmers' Market in the early 1900's

The Easton Farmers’ Market (EFM) operates in downtown Easton, a town of 26,000, every Saturday, May through November.  Thanks to strong management and continued funding support, EFM has significantly increased overall attendance, sales, vendors, and service area for the eighth straight season.  EFM serves as an economic driver for downtown Easton, drawing both residents and tourists to the market and to the surrounding restaurants and retail shops.  During National Farmers Market Week, the Farmers Market Coalition applauds the Easton Farmers’ Market for its efforts to encourage– and measure– positive impacts on neighboring merchants.  Surveys have shown that 70% of EFM customers are also shopping at Downtown businesses, spending an extra $26,000 each week.

“The Easton Farmers’ Market, in operation since 1752, is a public space that the community can rely on week after week — not only as a place to buy fresh food, but as a vital tool for keeping dollars in the community,”  says Lynn Prior, Director of Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local.

In 2011, EFM expanded its physical footprint, and now accommodates 40 vendors, as well as eight special event vendors.  This makes EFM the largest open-air market in the Lehigh Valley.  In 2011, vendor sales are already 20% higher than for the same period in 2010. Special events & festival days are attracting more than 5,000 from throughout the Lehigh Valley, Northwest New Jersey, Bucks, and Monroe Counties.

Children experience a little bit of farm life during festivals at the Easton Farmers' Market.

While most farmers markets primarily attract shoppers within the immediate residential area, EFM has succeeded in establishing itself as an “attraction,” while maintaining its integrity as a producer-only market. EFM boasts 15 special educational events throughout the market season, attracting an additional 35,000-40,000 shoppers. Events include: Kids’ Farm Day, Strawberry Fest, June Bug Jamboree (featuring a presentation by Philadelphia Insectarium), The Zucchini 500, Sweet Corn Fest, Tomato Fest, Garlic Fest, Apple Fest, and Scarecrow Fest. Recently, the market developed a new four-fold Vendor Map to help shoppers navigate the market and learn more about its farmers.

With the increase in market size and overall success has come the need for additional staff and volunteer support. In addition to one full-time and four part-time staff members, EFM depends heavily on volunteer support which includes a governing board that provides 15-20 hours per week in administrative and development assistance. Eighty-five volunteers contributed 2,500 hours to the market’s programming in 2010.

In 2009, the Easton Farmers Market applied for and received a USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grant to implement an EBT program that allowed participants in the Supplemental Nutrititon Assistance Program (SNAP) to redeem benefits for fresh, locally grown food.  In its first year (2010), SNAP participants redeemed $10,000 in benefits at the market. With 16% of city residents living below the poverty line (compared to 11% in Pennsylvania overall), this program has quickly become a boon for both shoppers and farmers.

Easton Farmers' Market today

“Without this modest grant, I’m not sure it would have been possible to launch EBT and do the outreach necessary to let people know they could use their benefits at the farmers market,” says Prior, who served as Project Director on the recent FMPP grant. “Already in 2011, the number of SNAP shoppers coming to market has increased by 32%.”

As is the case with most farmers markets, partnerships are critical to EFM’s success. The Family YMCA, Lafayette College, and Greater Lehigh Valley Buy Fresh Buy Local all contribute time and resources on a multitude of projects, ranging from childrens’ activities to efforts to connect chefs with Northampton County farmers.
Visit the Easton Farmers’ Market online at www.eastonfarmersmarket.com.