Easton Farmers' Market to hold Community Food Drive on Saturday

EASTON, Pa. — Easton Farmers’ Market will hold a Community Food Drive to fight food insecurity in the region on Saturday morning.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Scott Park along the Riverfront in downtown Easton, with a collection tent near the Larry Holmes statue.

It will be the last market date before the holiday season.

Community members are encouraged to donate fresh produce, non-perishable goods and grocery store gift cards.

Marker-goers can bring donations or buy items to donate directly from market vendors.

Visitors also can support SNAP recipients by contributing to the market’s SNAP token program, which provides tokens to families in need so they can shop directly from market vendors.

And thanks to a grant awarded by The Food Trust, those on SNAP can double their purchases up to $10 during weekly visits to the market by buying EFM red tickets with their SNAP cards.

The event is organized by Easton City Councilwoman Crystal Rose in partnership with the Easton Farmers’ Market and local volunteers.

“The holidays are a time for giving, and this food drive is a simple way we can come together to support our neighbors,” Rose said.

“Every donation, big or small, helps ensure families in Easton have access to healthy, nourishing food. It’s about showing that we care and lifting each other up.”

'Bring the community together'

Rose thanked the market for providing space, volunteers for spreading word of the event and Councilman Frank Pintabone, Councilwoman-elect Julie Zando-Dennis, Easton Farmers’ Market Manager Emily Roland and community volunteer Stacy Melvin for their support.

All donations will be equally distributed to ProJeCt of Easton’s Food Pantry, ensuring families across the Easton area have access to nutritious food during the holiday season.

“The drive is about neighbors helping neighbors,” Rose said. “We’re proud to bring the community together in such a meaningful way.”

Food insecurity across the Lehigh Valley became even more prevalent this year when the government shutdown affecting SNAP benefits, leading many individuals and families to rely even more heavily on local food banks.

And while local organizations like Second Harvest, New Bethany, and several individuals have hosted holiday meal giveaways for those in need during difficult times, demand often outpaces supply.

Fortifying food banks — which can often procure even more food per dollar with their purchasing power — and the market’s SNAP program helps those in need who have sometimes resorted to reducing their food purchases and rationing their benefits.