In addition to a broad selection of locally-grown fresh produce, specialty foods and unique crafts, Pottstown FARM: Farm and Artisan Market has even more in store for you to serve as reasons to pay regular visits this upcoming season. One particular event takes place on its opening day.
“On May 13 we’ll be celebrating moms,” said Sheila Dugan, who founded the market 10 years ago. “We will be giving the first 50 moms a free flower from Hopewell Flower Farm and a free raffle ticket for a floral bouquet from Laurel & Lace Floral Design in Pottstown.”
There will also be a special Mother’s Day backdrop to serve as a prime spot for taking photos, as well as vendor specials.
Dads will be celebrated on June 10.
“Dads will get a mini variety pack of SOB bacon and a raffle to win a quantity of bacon,” she said.
New at the market will be some additional local food vendors along with the return of many of their regulars.
“We have more food vendors than ever this year,” Dugan said. “It will be a nice balance between crafters and food vendors.”
New food additions
Some new food additions at the market are Microgreen FX, which will offer organically grown microgreens; Frank’s Fine Swine and Beef will offer Angus beef and chicken breast jerky; A Little Irish Luck will offer a range of sweet and savory treats; and Kevin’s Crazy Kitchen Pickles at the Hipster Farm will be a monthly pop-up vendor offering a variety of seasoned pickles.
New crafting additions at the market include Vivydus, which will be selling its self-care items made of essential oils, body care products, lotions, bath teas and scrubs and Lavender Hill: Handmade Mandalas & More, which specializes in handmade crocheted mandalas and mandala-inspired gifts.
Dugan shared vendors who are coming back to the market.
“Limerick Homegrown Produce & Trading Post will be back; Rosedell Farms, which sells produce, eggs, syrup and homemade root beer is returning; and Hopewell Farmer Farm, along with three wineries,” she said.
Newly designed website
You can learn more about each vendor on Pottstown FARM’s newly designed website that will be launched in the near future.
“It’s really exciting and each vendor will have their own page,” she said.
Dugan said they are planning on having live music on many occasions this year and there will be many educational events offered for the whole family to enjoy.
“We have a bee event happening in August,” Dugan said. “A spokesperson comes out and brings bees and you can see through the hive and there is a honey-tasting education piece.”
There is a butterfly tagging event scheduled for September.
“The spokesperson talks about the butterflies and their flight and she does some tagging there,” Dugan said. “They release them at the market, which is a really cool thing to see.”
Pottstown community members in need
Now a 501(c)3, Pottstown FARM is overseen by an all-female Board of Trustees. One of their missions is to look out for those in the Pottstown community who are in need of healthy and nutritious food.
“Twenty local families in need will be given fresh food per month — they will each get a bag of products that are family-friendly,” Dugan said. “Grant funding is making it possible and Operation 143 delivers the food to the families.”
The food items the families will be given are purchased from vendors of the market through the grant and will include items such as honey, salsa, jam, spaghetti sauce, baked goods and fresh produce.
“I want to give back to the vendors,” she said of the program that benefits the vendors in addition to community members.
SNAP incentive
Other ways Pottstown families can benefit from shopping at the market come in the way of a SNAP incentive, which is also grant-funded.
“For every $10 they spend on the card, they get $15 in coins to spend at the market,” Dugan said.
A much-loved aspect of the market for kids that will continue to be offered is the Two-Bite Club, which encourages children under the age of 12 to try new foods.
Each week, FARM purchases an item from one of the vendors for children to sample. The goal is to introduce children to a new food that they may not have in their everyday life. This is one of FARM’s most popular programs that brought more than 850 children to participate last season. After the child tries the “Item of the Week” they will receive a $5 FARM coin to spend at the market for something they like. Children can save their coins for future visits to the FARM.
“Last year we had 865 kids sign up the whole summer,” Dugan said. “This is also grant-funded. After they take two bites they get five dollars in FARM coins to spend at the market.”
FARM is offering an opportunity for visitors to the market to join in their mission and encourages a donation to their vision when they enter the market.
“Even children want to be a part of it and understand,” Dugan said. “They are doing something at home to bring allowance — it goes to our three programs.”
Pottstown FARM: Farm and Artisan Regional Market is held at Smith Family Plaza, 100 E. High St. Opening Day is Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is held every Saturday thereafter. You can be a part of FARM’s mission. When you enter the market, you will be greeted with mini flower pots where you can make a donation to help Pottstown FARM’s mission of giving access to Pottstown community members most in need. Their SNAP Incentives and Partnership with Operation 143 puts their mission into action. For more information, visit www.pottstownfarm.org
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