{"id":126231,"date":"2023-12-27T18:43:19","date_gmt":"2023-12-27T23:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=126231"},"modified":"2023-12-27T18:43:19","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T23:43:19","slug":"best-year-in-271-years-2023-a-record-for-easton-farmers-market-with-70000-guests-and-20-increase-in-vendor-sales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=126231","title":{"rendered":"Best year in 271 years: 2023 a record for Easton Farmers\u2019 Market With 70,000 guests and 20% increase in vendor sales"},"content":{"rendered":"

Winter Market to open January 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

EASTON, Pa. \u2013 Since 1752, the Easton Farmers\u2019 Market has attracted people with the promise of fresh, locally grown foods and handmade merchandise. And in 2023 the oldest, continually operating outdoor farmers\u2019 market in the country saw record attendance with 70,000 shoppers \u2013 a 19 percent increase over 2022 — and a 20 percent increase in vendor sales.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019ve been doing something for 271 years, having a record year is a truly remarkable achievement,\u201d said Megan McBride, Manager of the Easton Farmers\u2019 Market, which is operated by the not-for-profit Greater Easton Development Partnership. \u201cIt\u2019s a tribute to the growth of Easton as one of the mid-Atlantic\u2019s premier food destinations, the exceptional quality and variety of our vendors, and the reputation of our market as a must-visit destination in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n

On September 2 the EFM had a single-day attendance record with 3,198 visitors as shoppers enjoyed the Funky Ferments Fest and started their Labor Day weekend with a beautiful morning at the market\u2019s Scott Park location at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers. Other annual celebrations of local, seasonal food and cultural events \u2013 such Strawberry Day, Juneteenth, Honey Bee Day, Peach Day, Apple Jam, and Hispanic Cultural Day \u2013 helped generate additional interest in the market every two or three weeks.<\/p>\n

On the heels of a record 2023, The Easton Farmers\u2019 Market will open its Winter Market on Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon in the 300 block of Northampton Street in front of the Easton Public Market. More than 20 vendors are already lined up to provide a variety of winter produce \u2013 think root vegetables, hearty squashes and greenhouse-grown items \u2013 and locally-made goods like bread, desserts, sauces and ready-to-eat items. \u201cWinter Market allows us to maintain the spirit of Easton Farmers\u2019 Market all year long,\u201d said McBride. Easton Winter Market will accept SNAP and provide a match in \u2018food bucks\u2019 via The Food Trust. The Winter Warriors rewards card will be offered again this year where market goers can earn a prize for every four consecutive markets attended. Squash Fest will be the first major celebration on January 27, including a delightful spread of squash-related items and activities!<\/p>\n

2024 Winter Market Vendor Line-up:<\/strong><\/p>\n

***************************************<\/p>\n

Apple Ridge Farm<\/p>\n

AquaSprout Farms LLC<\/p>\n

Bizzle’s Bites (every other week starting 1\/13)<\/p>\n

Breakaway Farms<\/p>\n

Cabbage Throw Farm LLC<\/p>\n

Cody\u2019s Eats & Sweets (Tomato Pie!) (once monthly: 1\/27, 2\/24, 3\/30, 4\/27)<\/p>\n

Easton Salsa Co.<\/p>\n

Funny Farm Apiaries (every other week starting 1\/13)<\/p>\n

Jersey Pickles<\/p>\n

Mattie’s Strudel Haus<\/p>\n

Mia & Maddie’s Bakery<\/p>\n

Portch Tea LLC<\/p>\n

Primordia Mushroom Farm<\/p>\n

River Valley Community Grains (every other week starting 1\/13)<\/p>\n

Roastwell Coffee Roasters<\/p>\n

Saint Rocco’s Treats (every other week starting 1\/6)<\/p>\n

Salvaterra’s Gardens<\/p>\n

Scholl Orchards<\/p>\n

Silverback Distillery (every other week starting 1\/13)<\/p>\n

The Flour Shop Bakery<\/p>\n

Wild for Salmon (once monthly) (1\/20, 3\/17, 3\/16, 4\/20)<\/p>\n

Zekraft<\/p>\n

Those interested in vending opportunities in the 2024 season should contact\u00a0megan@eastonpartnership.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A driver of tourism and economic development<\/strong><\/p>\n

McBride said that surveys showed that 21.8 percent of market goers were first-time visitors in 2023. She said it is not uncommon to meet guests visiting from the New York City and Philadelphia metro areas as they kick off a day trip or long weekend in Easton.<\/p>\n

According to a survey conducted by Buy Fresh Buy Local Greater Lehigh Valley, the Easton Farmers\u2019 Market average consumer spends well above regional and national averages with 43.5 percent of shoppers spending more than $31 per week.<\/p>\n

\u201cEaston Farmers Market was one of two markets that we participated in during our very first year in business in 2012. For many years it was slow but steady, with an enthusiastic customer base. When the pandemic hit we saw a huge leap in both attendance and interest in mushrooms generally. It was exciting and wonderful but we expected that it would fade as people returned to their pre-pandemic patterns.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This past season, though, has brought brand new faces to almost every single market. Our sales have jumped tremendously, in the past year, reaching record sales days, even as the pandemic fears are fading. I also love seeing the same shoppers that I\u2019ve been seeing since 2012. We have had such a loyal customer base, and it has been exciting to watch that base grow over the years.\u00a0 We are grateful that EFM management made the decision to move to the riverfront so that more products and vendors could be accommodated, and people could spread out and enjoy the beautiful setting. EFM has done a wonderful job promoting the market, and serving the needs of the community. \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0-Jesse Tobin of\u00a0Primordia Mushroom Farm<\/em><\/p>\n

“The Easton Farmers’ Market has been an essential part of our growing business. The success and expansion of the market has directly helped increase our sales from year to year as well as build our Community Supported Agriculture Program. We are happy to share in a community space to support small and local businesses.”<\/em><\/p>\n

-Cabbage Throw Farm<\/em><\/p>\n

In 2024, EFM plans to expand and promote environmentally friendly and traffic-reducing<\/p>\n

transportation methods such as walking, cycling and public transportation. \u201cEaston has a vibrant walking and bicycle culture and a LANTA bus station only two blocks from the market. We\u2019re looking to continue building on all three in 2024 in addition to introducing the Market to all of the new residents that Easton is welcoming in the next 12 months.\u201d<\/p>\n

About Easton Farmers\u2019 Market\/GEDP<\/strong><\/p>\n

Easton Farmers\u2019 Market (EFM) is a program of the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) and part of Easton\u2019s Market District. EFM is America\u2019s longest continuously-running open-air market. It is a producer-only market that features fresh, local produce – the vast majority of which is naturally or organically grown. Customers will also find antibiotic and hormone-free, pasture-raised meats, fresh baked goods, and ready-to-eat items.\u00a0LVHN is a premier sponsor of the Easton Farmers\u2019 Market.\u00a0More:\u00a0eastonfarmersmarket.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

GEDP is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization focused on Easton\u2019s economic well-being, historical integrity, programmatic development, vibrant culture and hospitality. GEDP comprises Easton Farmers\u2019 Market, Easton Main Street Initiative, Easton Public Market, West Ward Market PA Bacon Fest, the Easton Ambassadors and many other programs. More:\u00a0eastonpartnership.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Information provided to TVL by:
\nJessica Ferrara
\nCommunications Media Manager
\nGreater Easton Development Partnership
\nhttps:\/\/eastonpartnership.org\/<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Winter Market to open January 6 EASTON, Pa. \u2013 Since 1752, the Easton Farmers\u2019 Market has attracted people with the promise of fresh, locally grown foods and handmade merchandise. And … Continue reading Best year in 271 years: 2023 a record for Easton Farmers\u2019 Market With 70,000 guests and 20% increase in vendor sales<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":126232,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5718,69,482],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-126231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-easton","category-in-the-valley","category-press-release-2"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-market.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126231"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=126231"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126231\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/126232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=126231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=126231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=126231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}