Erie County Farmers Market Week Announced
August 6 to 12 has been declared Erie County Farmers Market Week to support and encourage farmers markets in conjunction with National Farmers Market Week. A proclamation signed by County Executive Brenton Davis was presented by Doug Smith, Director of Administration, to Stephanie Ciner and Stephanie Thauer – farmers, food system advocates and co-founders of the Parade Street Fresh Food Farm Stand.
“Farmers markets celebrate seasonal, nourishing, locally grown food. I shop at our Erie farmer’s markets to support other farmers and small businesses, find great food, and spend time outside with friends and neighbors,” said Ciner.
To find a schedule of upcoming farmers markets in Erie County, visit the Erie FPAC Farmers Market map.
The Parade Street Fresh Food Farm Stand is a successful pilot of the “pay-what-you-can” model. “We recently started another stand in Edinboro and other community organizations are establishing a pay-what-you-can stand for their neighbors. We feel it’s so important to get fresh produce into areas with limited access, but also make it affordable,” said Thauer.
In addition to running the farm stand, Ciner and Thauer are involved in improving our local food system as a member and co-chair (respectively) of the Erie Food Policy Advisory Council.
The Erie Food Policy Advisory Council aims to gather partners from across Erie County to streamline efforts in improving local our food system. “The goals are to identify the biggest barriers facing our food system and to identify how we can work toward finding some solutions. Establishing more pay-what-you-can stands creates a bridge between farmers’ and community members and redirects unsold produce to different markets,” said Thauer.
The Erie Food Policy Advisory Council is a network of several organizations including government agencies, community-based organizations and non-profits, food retail outlets, farmers and food business owners, schools and universities, healthcare organizations, community leaders and advocates. “Anyone involved in the food system from farm to fork is welcome to join,” said Thauer.
Follow the Erie Food Policy Advisory Council on Facebook or reach out via email.
