*Updated 4/3 10:46 a.m.
Having trouble stocking your shelves with groceries while the COVID-19 pandemic continues? You’re not alone. To help their customers keep fresh food on their tables, these local farm markets in the Lehigh Valley are braving the outbreak and staying open to help offset the lack of stocked shelves at supermarkets.
The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers’ Market is dedicated to helping locals get the supplies they need. They assure customers that they are fully stocked and ready to provide the Valley with essentials like paper towels, cleaning supplies, fresh produce, meats and more. Take advantage of their stock and feel good about supporting local businesses! They are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Azar Supermarket in Bethlehem is here to keep you stocked with produce, meats, dairy products and more. While they are the closest thing to a traditional supermarket with the variety of items they have, many of them are from local farmers and suppliers. This is a one-stop shop! They are taking extra precautions to stop the spread by offering disposable gloves at the entrance of the store, and they have placed plastic shields in front of all registers.
The Valley Farm Market in Bethlehem is another local grocer that has lots of options for the picky buyer. They carry many favorite food brands, but they also provide produce and meats from local farms. There is a wide selection of classic American and international food, including pre-prepared meals if you don’t like to cook.
Emmaus Farmers’ Market and those who own it understand that shutting down during this outbreak would lead to even more instability and worry in the community around them, and therefore they are determined to stay open to help ease the minds of their customers. They will continue to provide their fresh food through their open-air market in Emmaus's Triangle Park every other Sunday until May during this period of uncertainty. You can even place online orders with many of the vendors! Find more information on their Facebook page.
Johnny’s Fresh Meats is helping those who cannot find meat in a regular grocery store. With meat being one of the fastest products to leave Valley shelves (right behind toilet paper and hand sanitizer), Johnny’s is able to provide locals with quality meats both during and after a pandemic. They are offering curbside pick-up in case you do not want to go inside the store. Hours are modified at the moment. They are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Nesting Box Farm Market and Creamery in Kempton is stocked and open daily (Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.) to provide you with a fully-loaded cage-free egg cooler from their farm, baked goods and quiche from The Buttered Crumb, fresh Way-Har Farms milk and more from neighboring farms and food artisans. Half-gallon ice cream from the on-site creamery is consistently being made and re-stocked with the suggestion of pre-orders to ensure you reserve your ice cream in the case of a sell-out. Visit their Facebook and Instagram pages for daily hours and offerings.
Kavva’s Polish/Euorpean Market is continuing to operate as a grocery store/market, offering take-out options only. Kavva’s serves up kielbasa, pierogies, baked goods, lunch sandwiches and more. Follow along with their updates on Facebook.
Elias Market in Allentown is receiving daily shipments of fresh meats! They are continuing to offer fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other hard-to-find grocery items. Check out their weekly specials here and their bulk specials here. And they recently began offering curbside pick-up and delivery for those more comfortable staying in their own space. Follow along on Facebook for daily updates to come.
Radish Republic, a neighborhood grocery store located on the Downtown Allentown ArtsWalk, is open for business daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Via their recent Instagram post, plenty of street parking is available on 6th and 7th streets, only a short walking distance to the ArtsWalk itself. To aid those who feel more comfortable shopping from home, they’re offering online ordering and home delivery with text upon arrival to various zip codes throughout the area. Follow their Instagram stories for daily specials and featured grocery items from local providers, such as pasta sauce from Scholl Orchards, wood oven pizza from Switchback Pizza and fresh bakery items from Doughnut Love.
Saylors & Co, known as a hidden gem to many, is a family-run specialty food market and grocery store in Hellertown. Due to the quarantine, they are offering their famous prepared foods, fresh and smoked meats, home-baked goods, deli items, household staples and more through curbside pick-up only. They encourage customers to call ahead with their grocery lists..
Crooked Row Farm in Orefield is fully stocked with local and regional produce, grains, meats, dairy and bread. They've even ramped up their field production to have their own vegetables in a month, along with starter plants, which will be available for home delivery for those looking to set up gardens. Crooked Row is offering curbside delivery in addition to full hours at their farm stand. What's more, they're working with volunteers to provide porch drop to people with pre-existing conditions as well as the elderly––they're even making weekly drops in Bethlehem and Easton. Check out their full, up-to-date inventory and delivery options online.
For more information, check out this local food guide created by Buy Fresh Buy Local of the Greater Lehigh Valley. The guide highlights information about delivery, online ordering and other offerings. It is being updated periodically, so check back here or follow along on Facebook.
*It is our goal to provide the Style audience with a comprehensive list. If we missed your alternative grocery offerings, please email info to editor@lehighvalleystyle.com.
