EASTON, Pa. — Easton-area foodies congregated outside Paxinosa Elementary School early Wednesday evening to celebrate the second-season opening of the West Ward Market.
There, residents again have an opportunity to access fresh, healthy fruits, grains, veggies and more in their own backyards.
- The West Ward Market in Easton kicked off its second season on May 3, and will be open from 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays until Sept. 27
- The market includes an assortment of fresh produce, ready to eat foods and activities for the community
- SNAP recipients can double their spending power on produce when they buy $2 to $10 of fruits and vegetables
Mayor Sal Panto Jr., West Ward Community Initiative Manager Tanya Ruiz, Easton Market District Director Megan McBride, Paxinosa Elementary School Principal Elise Jones and Family YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg and Vicinity Branch Director Lori Metz all showed up to kick off the market’s season with a ribbon-cutting event in front of the educational center.
An outlet and an incubator
A collaboration between the Easton Market District and the West Ward Community Initiative, the market focuses on offering up fresh, high-quality food to consumers while supporting local agriculture and West Ward businesses.
The market, which was established to address food insecurity and equity in the West Ward, provides economically accessible food products, offers artists and craftspeople an outlet to sell their wares and serves as an incubator for emerging businesses in the neighborhood.
“As a West Ward resident, I'm so excited that this is just a few blocks away from my house. I'll be spending all of my money here every week. I'm so excited – all the coffee, all the wine, everything is great."West Ward Community Initiative Manager Tanya Ruiz
In the same vein as the Easton Farmers’ Market, the West Ward Market “aims to be a social gathering space for all, connecting the neighborhood around locally focused, fresh food products,” according to a release.
Ruiz applauded the West Ward Community Initiative’s success in building a “community of choice,” providing numerous options for residents to shop for groceries, eat dinner, enjoy live music and spend time with each other.
“As a West Ward resident, I'm so excited that this is just a few blocks away from my house," Ruiz said. "I'll be spending all of my money here every week. I'm so excited — all the coffee, all the wine, everything is great."
'Opportunity to make this your market'
McBride commended the crowd on the “grassroots effort” it took to establish the market, championing the volunteers, residents and the city for stepping up to ensure the West Ward could replicate the success of the Easton Farmers’ Market.
“This is your opportunity to make this your market," McBride said. "This is your neighborhood, this is your market, and we are so excited to see it thrive and become the magical, vibrant place that the Eastern Farmers’ Market is.
“We encourage folks to shop both markets. You have about 40 vendors down there, and you have 11 amazing vendors here this year.”
The market’s slate of vendors for 2023 includes the Kellyn Foundation, My Little Farmstand, Bizzle’s Bites, the Flour Shop Bakery, Big Papa’s Restaurant and Catering, Kore Coffee and Flowers, Mercantile Outpost, Easton Wine Project, Loriann’s Food for the Soul, Pocono Apiaries, Mattson’s Mushrooms, and guest vendors Earthen Goat, Creations by Natural, GG Fashions and Mediterra.
Through a partnership with The Food Trust in Philadelphia, SNAP shoppers at the West Ward Market — along with the Easton Farmers’ Market — will offer matching purchasing power for produce expenditures of $2 to $10, essentially doubling the amount of fresh vegetables and fruits a customer can buy.
Sneakers with no laces
Metz detailed the presence of the YMCA at the market, noting some of the educational opportunities and youth-oriented events that will be made available during the market’s 2023 run.
“During our evenings at the market, we get to engage with kids and families around nutrition education through activity and play,” Metz said.
“On Wacky Wednesdays, we get to offer experiences to families that may not otherwise get them, like playing on a giant slip and slide or toasting marshmallows to make s’mores over an open fire.
"Through our market experience, we get to tell others of Y programs, such as summer pop-up and play activities throughout Easton that engage the city's youth, and fun and educational programs, as well as offer free meals and weekly passes to the outdoor pools.”
“We believe it's our responsibility to coordinate services and create partnerships that support our educational success, build stronger families and improve communities,” Jones said.
"The West Ward Market hits these points and so many more. The partnerships that bring this market together are stronger than ever.”
'Good place to get healthy food'
Jones expressed Paxinosa’s role as a “community school” focused on supporting the area both within and outside of the school day.
Organizers thanked Capital Blue Cross, Air Products, Platform Five, the Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy] and other community businesses and groups for their assistance in keeping the market alive and thriving.
“As Americans, we eat entirely too many chemicals and preservatives. So this is a good place to get healthy food, and we want to thank you all for coming out today.”Easton Mayor Sal Panto
Prior to the ribbon cutting, Panto noted the importance of having healthy options in a society that is flooded with processed foods.
“As Americans, we eat entirely too many chemicals and preservatives,” Panto said. “So this is a good place to get healthy food, and we want to thank you all for coming out today.”
The West Ward Market is open from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through September at 12th and Northampton Street between Paxinosa Elementary and Cottingham Stadium.
