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Local residents who enjoy shopping at farm markets and supporting the efforts of local farmers and producers to put healthy, fresh food on tables will soon have another venue to frequent.

The Farm Market at Passer will open Wednesday, June 4 for a 13-week season at the Passer Community Association, which is housed in a historic school building at 2580 Richlandtown Pike, Coopersburg. Besides boasting a bucolic setting amid rolling fields and a nearby grove, the market will feature more than a dozen local vendors selling everything from fruits and vegetables to baked goods to ice cream. It will be open weekly on Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. in June, July and August.

The market’s operation is being co-chaired by three volunteers: Kristin Roth, Wandy Principe-Bush and Carolyn Marotta.

Roth explained that an earlier, smaller farmers market was held at the Passer Community Association around 2018. It did well and there were plans to expand it until the COVID pandemic arrived and disrupted or ended the operation of many markets.

“This is a trial (season),” Roth said, adding that there has been a lot of interest in the new Farm Market at Passer, which will open with approximately 15 full- and part-time vendors.

Roth and the others believe the market’s location on Richlandtown Pike–a major connector between the Hellertown and Quakertown areas–will be key to its success. They also think a mid-week afternoon market will fill a void in the area, where most farmers markets are held either earlier on weekdays or on weekends.

The genesis for the Farm Market at Passer was an association meeting last fall, where Principe-Bush pitched the idea to other members. In addition to running the market, she will be vending at it as the owner-operator of Dragonfly Hill Farm & Kitchen, which is also a vendor at the Saucon Valley Farmers Market in Hellertown. Dragonfly Hill is a four-acre farm in Springfield Township that grows vegetables following organic practices. Established in 2020, its kitchen specializes in dried garlic and related products, which are sold at various retailers throughout the region. Principe-Bush said that she will also sell some produce at the Passer market, where Dreamland Farmstead–which is owned by Marotta–will be the primary produce vendor.

Hausman Fruit Farm will also be a full-time vendor and sell some produce at their stand, along with baked goods.

The other vendors that will be at the Farm Market at Passer are:

• All Things Gourmet Catering, which will offer prepared foods, including hot foods grilled fresh to order.
• The Sugar Cycle, a start-up ice cream maker who will sell their frozen treats out of a tricycle with an attached freezer.
• Schantzenbach Farms, which will sell beef and pork products.
• First Fruits Farm, which will sell lamb, chicken and pork.
• Hinterhof Farm, which will sell honey and lamb.
• Fork’d Pierogies, which is also a Saucon Valley Farmers Market weekly vendor.
• Onward Coffee
• Heritage Baking Co., which will sell small batch sourdough breads and more.
• The Worthy Dessert, which will sell pastries and other sweet treats.
• Dwyer Hill Farms and Heaton Farm, which will sell cut flowers on alternating Wednesdays.
• Polk Valley Farms, which will sell goat’s milk soaps.
• The Healing Dandelion, which is owned by Roth and will offer herbal products.

According to the organizers, a food truck is also desired as an addition to the current lineup, along with vendors of dairy products, pet products and mushrooms. Drop-in crafters could also be part of future markets.

Roth said that although many of the Farm Market at Passer’s vendors are new business owners, that is an advantage.

“We can grow together,” she said.

Shoppers can look forward to live music at the market, free qigong sessions and a monthly raffle. Tickets will be available at the market’s information tent to anyone who makes a purchase from a market vendor. The organizers are also looking forward to welcoming feedback from patrons once the market is open and has had a chance to serve the community.

“One of our missions is to make food more accessible to everybody,” said Roth.

She added that volunteers are also needed. Anyone interested in helping out can email the market managers at farmmarketatpasser@gmail.com for more information.

For updates, Facebook users are encouraged to follow the market’s page.

Roth and Principe-Bush said leashed, well-behaved dogs will be allowed at the market, which will have restroom facilities and seating available inside the schoolhouse. The last day of the 2025 season will be Wednesday, Aug. 27.