Supporting locally grown and locally made food isn’t something new to the Lehigh Valley, and although the insurgence of farmers’ markets in almost every town in the Valley has indicated a trend, mainstays like the Easton Farmers Market and the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market have been around for decades.
It is because of both the consistency of the mainstays and the interest garnered by so many new markets and local eateries that the Valley finds itself recently welcoming a highly anticipated, indoor culinary market: the Easton Public Market. One thing that sets this culinary market apart from a traditional food market is that the Easton Public Market (EPM) offers culinary classes, an open kitchen for EPM chef demonstrations and a children’s activity area deemed the “Little Sprouts Play Zone” along with food vendors.
The Little Sprouts Play Zone is just one more way that the market is harnessing local expertise, as local artists from the Brick & Mortar Gallery, Chaz Hampton and Tom D’Angeloas, designed and built the play area. For so long, the EPM had been simply a vision in the mind of the Greater Easton Development Partnership. It wasn’t until 2012 that they began putting into motion what would eventually become the EPM. Megan McBride, market district director, noted, “Our goal was to position the EPM as a destination and to offer high-quality grocery shopping in tandem with a hip dining experience. Like our historic Farmers’ Market in Centre Square, we want the Easton Public Market to be [a] vibrant community gathering space that showcases our local food culture.”
And now, on to the food. The EPM currently has 15 vendors selling food, drink and other wares. The culinary options include fresh seafood, locally made wines, premise-baked bread, pies, pizzas and a noodle bar from James Beard nominee and local chef Lee Chizmar.
A Look at the Easton Public Market Vendors
3rd & Ferry Fresh Fish: Offering fresh clams, oysters, fish, scallops, lobster and shrimp as well as prepared seafood dishes.
Chocodiem: The finest Belgian chocolates along with drinking chocolates, French macarons, pastries and gelato.
Debbie’s Pie In The Sky: Old-fashioned sweet and savory pies, quiche, pot pies, cakes, cookies, pastries, breads, appetizers and soups, all using locally sourced fruits and vegetables.
Dundore & Heister: EPM’s own butcher stand offering the highest quality, locally raised, antibiotic- and hormone-free meats.
Highmark Blue Shield Farmstand: The farmstand will carry a full array of fresh produce including cooking greens, salad greens, roots, mushrooms, fruit, herbs and microgreens as well as pastas, dairy products and cut flowers.
Fieldstone Coffee Roasters and Tea: A variety of brewed coffees are available along with teas, coffee beans to-go and other tempting coffee-based drinks.
Full of Crepe: This creperie specializes in creating an array of delicious sweet and savory crepes, including gluten-free options using only the freshest ingredients.
Mister Lee’s Noodles: Chef Chizmar’s noodle house will feature farm-fresh ramen dishes with local produce and meats sourced seasonally, including both hot and cold noodle dishes along with a build-your-own noodle-bowl option.
More Than Q Barbecue: This Texas Smoked BBQ stand offers ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken as well as sides including cheesy grits, baked beans, fried pickles, salads and slaws.
Olive With A Twist: You’ll find organic olive oils and Balsamic vinegars along with imported cheeses and other curated foods such as olives, spreads, sauces, pasta, jams and jellies, risotto and salts and spices.
Scratch: A brewery and farm collaboration of ShawneeCraft Brewery and Apple Ridge Farm, Scratch restaurant offers craft beer, bread and pizza using locally sourced ingredients to deliver wholesome, honest, delicious transparent food without any additive or chemical byproducts.
TAZA Stop: This colorful stand serves Egyptian and Egyptian-inspired cuisine, made fresh every day using beef and chicken that are all certified halal (all-natural diet, no hormones or antibiotics) as well as several tasty vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free main dishes, sides and desserts.
Tolino Vineyards: A family-owned-and-operated 10-acre vineyard and winery, located just down the road in Bangor, Tolino offers both dry and sweet wines. They suggest you pick up a meal from one of the local vendors and enjoy it at their bar with a glass of your favorite Tolino wine.
Youssef’s Fruit & Nut Gallery: Here you’ll find a large selection of exoctic dried fruits, nuts and spices as well as a variety of dried beans to create your next locally inspired dinner at home.
Not only does the market provide food and wares, but it also features kitchen demonstrations, chef events and cooking classes. Upcoming events include “Cooking for Two: Couple Series” and “Cooking with the Seasons,” as well as classes for those wishing to learn more about baking, butchery and pasta making.
The Easton Public Market opened its doors Friday, April 15. Hours of operation are Wednesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Find the market at 325 Northampton St. in Easton.
- Beer and radish photos: Cheryl Doll
- Scratch and Farmstand photos: Megan McBride
- Remaining photos: Easton Public Market
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