Pottstown Farmers’ Market opens May 25
THE MARKET SEASON HAS LOTS IN STORE FOR YOUR WHOLE FAMILY
Get your market tote ready and mark your calendar for May 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the opening day of Pottstown FARM’s farm and regional market held at Smith Family Plaza. The market will be happening every other Saturday through Oct. 26 and they have much more in store for you and your family than fresh, locally-grown produce.
On opening day there will be live music by singer/songwriter Lisa Lerman, Elmwood Park Zoo will be visiting with its mobile zoo and the market will be introducing its new mascot — a human-sized baby chick.
“We also have some new vendors, which is exciting,” said Sheila Dugan, director of the 9-year-old market. “They are producing everything locally, from shampoo to herbs and teas.”
Also, for the first time in many years, they’ll be offering a full range of meats, including pork to beef from Knitter Family Farm of Bangor.
“This has been a request of our visitors for years,” Dugan said.
New vendors
Another new vendor to look out for in the market this year is Truly Pure and Natural of Telford, which will have all varieties of honey.
“Nick Perna is returning after a long break and we’re excited to have him back,” Dugan said.
Other new vendors include Healthy Delight Cooking Oils, Lehigh Valley Peanut Butter and isRiel Handmade, which specializes in herb-based vegan products for all hair types.
“Loriel Outterbridge, who owns isRiel, offers a plant-based, herb-infused hair care line,” said Dugan, of her products that are cruelty-free and gentle on the hair and environment.
Also offering herbal products is Airmidian Natural Remedies, which will offer herbal teas,
herbal salves, herbal sprays, tinctures, elixirs, elderberry syrup, sore muscles rub, beeswax wraps, deodorant and more.
You’ll also find many of the market’s regular vendors returning.
“Andley Farm, Bread and Brew, Five Saints Distilling and Lil’ Miss and more will be back,” Dugan said.
Fun for the whole family
Each month the market features something fun for the whole family.
They have live music happening in June; Christmas in July; ‘Bee our Guest’ in August, which centers on bee education and awareness; butterfly tagging in September; in October they’ll have their History & Haunts Tour and on the last day of the market is their annual Halloween event.
“We’re also having a bingo fundraiser on September 8th that will be for gift cards and lottery tickets,” Dugan said. “It will be at the Pottstown Elks Lodge and we’re encouraging people to bring their grandparents to celebrate because it’s National Grandparents
Day and they all love bingo.”
For kids up to age 12, their TwoBite Club is back each market day, which encourages kids to try food items sold at the market.
“If they try the item of the week that comes directly from our vendors, they receive a $5 coin to use anywhere in the market,” she said.
SNAP Incentives program
The non-profit market is also continuing to offer its SNAP Incentives program.
“Instead of getting $10 in farm coins back, they get $15 and can spend it at any of the food vendors,” Dugan said. “All of the funding we receive is through grants, sponsorships and donations, which allows us to have the SNAP incentives, Two-Bite Club and Operation143, where local families receive a bag of fresh
produce from Pottstown FARM each week.”
Opening day of Pottstown FARM — Farm & Artisan Regional Market, a place to find fresh produce, specialty foods and unique crafts, is May 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Smith Family Plaza, 100 E. High St., Pottstown.
*Important for opening day only: If you plan to attend on opening day, please keep your pets at home due to the small animals the Elmwood Zoo will be bringing. Your pets are welcome on all other market days. For more information, visit, www.pottstownfarm.org.