Farmer's Market Coming to Downtown Nazareth

With the unanimous approval of Nazareth Council, a farmer's market is coming to the borough's downtown.

At Monday night's meeting, Councilwoman Cynthia Werner made a motion to approve the use of Centre Square for a farmer’s market, which will be held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon during the growing season.  An official start date has yet to be decided.

With approval in place, the final step is a transient merchant's permit, which must be purchased from the borough office by the Economic Development Commission, which, with the help of farmer and flower shop owner Kevin Donahoe, is organizing the market.

The potential reach of the market, with the backing of the Economic Development Commission, could prove to be a very lucrative endeavor, according to Donahoe, owner of Donahoe Farms and .

Any fees charged for the market will benefit the economic development of Main Street, which has been an ongoing issue that Donahoe describes as “an uphill battle."

"That’s really the point,” he said. “We want to get more people downtown.” 

Donahoe has met with a county agent regarding the farmer’s market.  The agent suggested the market run for a normal season of 20 weeks, starting near the end of this month.

But Donahoe disagrees.

“I don’t really think a one-season run is fair,” Donahoe said. “I want to get as many farmers as possible.”

Donahoe explained that some crops come early in the season, while others, like tomatoes, don’t reach full growth until as late as July. Still others are cold-weather crops that are ready in the fall months. Having a 20-week season would hinder the full potential of the market, according to Donahoe.

Only two farmers have signed on for certain so far, said Donahoe, but more vendors will be joining as the final details are hammered out. A newsletter has been sent to about 400 farmers, he said.