Volunteers and vendors from the Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market celebrated a successful 2014 season with a luncheon at the Hellertown Diner Sunday, just after the final market day of the year came to an end.
Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market chairperson Shelley Goldberg addresses attendee’s at the end-of-season luncheon held Sunday, Nov. 23 at the Hellertown Diner.
SVFM chairperson Shelley Goldberg thanked those present for making the market a special place by working hard to foster a spirit of community there, week after week and year after year.
“You never know you will touch the lives of the people at the farmers’ market,” she said.
Goldberg also noted that the Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market will be profiled in various segments scheduled to air on The Peak TV beginning in January. The Peak TV is a local educational program broadcast Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on WFMZ-TV, Channel 69.
Next year will bring a temporary venue change to the farmers’ market, due to construction that will be starting in the spring at Hellertown’s Water Street Park, where it’s normally held.
SVFM committee member Terry Boos told luncheon attendees that the borough’s Dimmick Park will likely become home base for the market for at least the first part of the 2015 season.
Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market committee member Terry Boos talks about a venue change for part of the upcoming 2015 season, as chairperson Shelley Goldberg looks on.
Assuming that the work in Water Street Park is completed over the summer, the market committee–with input from vendors–will then have to make a decision about whether to move back to Water Street Park mid-season or finish out the season in Dimmick Park, he said.
One of the improvements at Water Street that will benefit the farmers’ market will be the opening of permanent public restrooms near the Saucon Rail Trail.
“That will be a nice thing,” Boos commented. Currently, portable toilets are used by market-goers and park visitors alike.
The creation of additional parking and a reconfiguration of the road inside the park are also expected to help alleviate congestion on Sunday mornings, when the market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May through November.
A sheet cake was specially decorated by the bakery at Giant Food Store in Lower Saucon Township for the end-of-season luncheon held Sunday, Nov. 23 at the Hellertown Diner.
A producer-only market, the SVFM hosts more than 45 local vendors who sell everything from organic vegetables to artisanal cheese to homemade baked goods. This year several food trucks became part of the mix, and live entertainment and special events continue to be draws throughout the season.
For more information about the market, visit www.svfarmersmarket.org as well as the market’s Facebook page.
