In the Lehigh Valley, the arrival of May means the start of the regular farmers market season.
Usually, just before then, I’d write a comprehensive story listing all the markets, their vendors and opening dates, as well as any special events they have planned for the year.
This year, however, things are different, thanks to the coronavirus.
Some producer-only farmers markets will still be open, but will adjust procedures to ensure social distancing. Some markets we usually report on are not listed here, as they are still making plans and awaiting approvals. (We will provide another list as we get closer to summer)
Before we get to the market info, here are a few important points:
Markets are permitted to be open: Food is essential and just as you can shop at a supermarket, you can shop at a producer-only farmers market. You will still need to follow all the state’s rules, including wearing a mask and standing six feet away from others. Individual markets have their own rules as well.
Benefits: The markets are all open-air and you don’t have to worry about sanitizing a basket or shopping cart.
Shopping local: By shopping at a farmers market, you’re supporting local farmers who have been hit hard by the economy; and you’re buying food that’s fresher because it was produced locally, cutting down on travel and storage time.
Keeping safe: Along with wearing a mask, you’ll need to avoid any unnecessary handling of food. In fact, many of the markets require that only vendors handle food.
Wash your hands before you come and bring sanitizer: Just as it is at the supermarket, it’s important to keep hands clean while at the farmers markets.
Make a plan: Before you head out to the market, find out what vendors will be there and what they will be offering. Planning out in advance what you want to buy will help speed up the shopping process. You should also be sure to consult with the market’s website or Facebook page first to learn the market’s specific guidelines. Some markets even offer the ability to pre-order, which can help expedite the process.
Be patient: Chances are you’ll have to wait in line. Be ready for that.
Leave the dogs at home: Our markets are usually pet-friendly but now most of the markets are prohibiting dogs. It’s best to leave them home.
Now that we’ve covered that, here’s the info on some of the markets.
Emmaus Farmers Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays starting May 3 at Triangle Square Park
Details: Vendors include The Colony Meadery (local mead); Patriot Farms (produce); Raspberry Ridge Farm (sheep milk, cheese); Tooth of the Lion; Lettuce Alone Farm; Flour Shop Bakery; Backyard Beans Coffee; Wild Fox Farm; Little Miss Korea and more.
Info: emmausmarket.com/
Saucon Valley Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays starting May 3 at 409 Constitution Ave., Hellertown (next to the library). Seniors, high-risk shoppers only from 9 to 10 a.m.
Details: Vendors include: Warm Sugar Bakery, Macungie Mountain Herb Farm, Ridge Valley Farm, Tombler’s Bakery, Moon Gate Farms, OMG Smoothies and more.
Guidelines: The market has a number of guidelines and tips for shoppers. Among them: You can pre-order through the market’s website, sauconvalleyfarmersmarket.com. The market will only allow one person per family into the market (with some exceptions as needed). No reusable bags; (vendors will pack items). Bathrooms will be closed.
Info: sauconvalleyfarmersmarket.com
Blue Valley Farmers Market, Bangor
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, starting May 3 at 707 American Bangor Road, Bangor
Details: You’ll find spring veggies, hanging flowers and more.
Info: facebook.com/BlueValleyFarmersMarket
Northampton Borough Farmers Market
3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, May 12-through September, Municipal Park, Laubach Avenue and Smith Lane
Details: Vendors include Twin Maple Farms of Bath, Covered Bridge Farm of Northampton, Chartiers Farm from Bath, Estelle’s Catering, the Popcorn Pit, Veggies and Such from Bath, Clear Springs Farm, Nanna’s Kitchen, Gallow Hill Spirits Co., and Eve’s Angels.
Info: northamptonboro.com
Macungie Farmers Market
4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, May 21-Oct. 29, Macungie Memorial Park
Details: Vendors include Bleiler’s Produce Patch, Chartier Farms, Hausman Fruit Farm, Healthy Delights Cooking Oil, Jus Kiddin Around Farm, Peanut Butter & More, Schantzenbach Farms.
Info: info997706.wixsite.com/macungiefm
Bath Farmers Market
3 to 7 p.m. Fridays, May 15 through September. at Keystone Park, Route 329 and Green Street (3 to 3:30 p.m. for at-risk shoppers only)
Details: Vendors include Twin Maple Farms, Cattle Creek Farm, Chartier Farms, Gourmet Peanut Butter & More, Annarello’s Bakery, Sweetly Smitten, Eve’s Angels Candles, Gallows Hill Spirits, Broken Willow Winery.
Some special guidelines: A personal shopper volunteer will be available to fetch items for those at risk during the special shopping half hour. Shoppers can pre-order from participating vendors and have their bags delivered to their parked car by market staff. There will be additional handwashing stations and sanitizing. Booths will be widely spaced and extra distance provided between shoppers and vendors. Only one customer at a time will be welcome per booth and sanitizing will take place between each transaction.
Info: 570-249-0131, bathfarmersmarket.org
Easton Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays starting May 2 at Scott Park on Larry Holmes Drive (first hour reserved for those over 65 and older and at-risk customers)
Details: This market, which is the nation’s oldest, continuous open-air market, will have 25 vendors offering local produce, pasture-raised meats, prepared foods, fresh baked goods and more.
This year, the market is moving to Scott Park for the season to allow better spacing. 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.
The market 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. All market staff and vendors will also wear protective gloves and masks.
Vendors will be placed 10-20 feet apart; sanitize their stations regularly; and 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.
Info: eastonfarmersmarket.com
Nazareth Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays starting May 2 on Center Square (Main and Center streets)
Details: Vendors include Annarella’s Bakery (Bethlehem), specializing in biscotti; Baarda Farms (Mount Bethlel), offering produce, honey, eggs, apple cider and more; Clear Spring Farm (Easton), offering an assortment of produce; Graver Farmstead, (Bath) offering grass-fed beef, natural pork, eggs; and a new vendor, Sweets N Savories, (Nazareth) specializing in fresh-baked breads and more.
Info: nazarethfarmersmarket.com/
Trexlertown Farmers Market
9 a.m. to noon Saturdays starting May 2 at Valley Preferred Cycling Center, 1151 Mosser Road Breinigsville
Details: Vendors on tap will include: Liberty Acres Farm, A Taste of Country, Warm Sugar Bakery, My Cup of Tea Herb Farm, Patriot Farms, Bleiler’s Produce Patch, Betulas’ Botanica, High Point Kombucha and Four Monkeys Coffee.
Info: trexlertownfarmersmarket.com/
Staff writer Debra Schnecker contributed to this report.
Morning Call reporter Jennifer Sheehan can be reached at 610-820-6628 or jsheehan@mcall.com
