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Enjoy demonstrations, presentations and homebrew kombucha contest
EASTON, Pa. – Acclaimed for their robust flavors and natural health benefits, fermented foods will take center stage on Sat., Sept. 3 at the Easton Farmers’ Market for the inaugural Funky Ferments Fest, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Scott Park along the riverfront.
Funky and fermented foods that will be celebrated include locally brewed beer, kombucha, pickles, stinky cheese, tangy farm-fresh yogurt, sourdough bread, sauerkraut, kimchi, and more. Several established market vendors and guest vendors will have a selection of locally produced fermented items at their stands.
Practiced for millennia as a method to preserve foods and develop distinct flavors over time, fermentation continues to surge in popularity nationwide. Many market studies predict a 5-7 percent annual growth rate for fermented foods during the next five years.
A variety of presentations, tastings and educational sessions will be available; free unless noted.
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Along the riverfront)
Kraut Mob! Stop by anytime and join the fun making your own jar of sauerkraut to take home. ($3 fee)
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Fun with Fermentation for Kids! Stop by the Easton Garden Works tent with the kiddos for family-friendly quick pickling. Head home with a quick pickle kit, and get funky fresh at our activity table
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. (on the hillside)
Delicious Decomposition: how I developed a crush on mushrooms and why you should too!
Presenter: Matthew Sicher of Primordia Mushrooms
10 a.m. – 11:30 am (on the hillside)
Making Sauerkraut and Other Fermented Vegetables
Presenter: Cheryl Paswater, Contraband Ferments
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. (Scott Park Stage)
Cheese Chat and Tastings with Steve Dougherty of Haven Farmstead Table and Rob Dunning of Raspberry Ridge Sheep Farm
11 a.m. – Noon (On the Dell in front of Stage)
Local amateurs showcase their artisanal fermenting skills. Each contestant can enter up to three flavors at $5 per entry. They must bring a gallon of each entry with the only labeling being the ingredients and flavor. A panel of local kombucha experts will award $100 cash for the winner; the people’s choice will received EFM market tokens and swag. Enter at EastonFarmersMarket.com
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (On the Dell in front of Stage. adjacent to the Kombucha Contest)
Make your own Kombucha
Presenter: Don Devault, Portch Tea
11:30 a.m. – noon (on the hillside)
Start your Own Sourdough
Presenter: Apple Ridge Farm
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Scott Park Stage)
Live music with Blue Heart’s Revelry
Noon – 1:00 pm (on the hillside)
Making Shrubs & Switchel
Presented by Cheryl Paswater, Contraband Ferments
Additionally, the EFM Merch Tent will be offering limited edition SCOBY shirts in honor of the commonly used acronym for “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast”
Holding the title of America’s oldest, continuous open-air market, the Easton Farmers’ Market has been a destination for fresh and locally grown and prepared foods since 1752. A program of the nonprofit Greater Easton Development Partnership, the Easton Farmers’ Market, presented by Capital Blue, is open every Saturday (May-December) at Scott Park along Larry Holmes Drive.
Free parking for Easton Farmers’ Market will be available in the two lots adjacent to Scott Park, thanks to Riverstar Properties and the Law Offices of Florio-Perrucci. Vendors accept cash, credit, Venmo, PayPal, checks and EBT. Visit eastonfarmersmarket.com for online ordering information for participating vendors.
Easton Farmers’ Market will continue to accept EBT as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Thanks to a USDA grant through Buy Fresh Buy Local of the Greater Lehigh Valley (BFBLGLV), the market will offer LV Fresh Food Bucks with EBT purchases matched by BFBLGLV, up to $10 per day. Those enrolled in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for qualified seniors, and those in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in New Jersey and Pennsylvania will be able to use their vouchers at produce vendors who participate in their state’s programs.
Sponsors for the 2022 EFM season include: Capital Blue, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Air Products, IBEW Local 102, Nurture Nature Center and Astound Broadband.
ABOUT: Easton Farmers’ Market (EFM) is a program of the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP). EFM is America’s longest continuously-running open-air market. It is a producer-only market that features fresh, local produce – the vast majority of which is naturally/organically grown. Customers will also find antibiotic and hormone-free, pasture-raised meats, fresh baked goods, and ready-to-eat items. GEDP is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization focused on Easton’s economic well-being, historical integrity, vibrant culture, and hospitality. It is comprised of Easton Farmers’ Market, Easton Main Street Initiative, Easton Public Market, PA Bacon Fest and the Easton Ambassadors. For more information, visit eastonpartnership.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Drabenstott (for GEDP)
Drabenstott Communications Group
