Community Corner

Farmers Market Envisioned for Hatboro

The Hatboro Residents' Association is working to establish a weekly farmers market in town.

Where do you buy your farm-fresh meats, fruits, vegetables and dairy products?

The Hatboro Residents' Association is working to add another possibility for homemade, locally grown and produced product with the planned start of a weekly farmers market. 

HRA President Heather Hamilton told Patch that the association hopes to go before the Hatboro Borough Council in May to present the idea. If it's green-lighted, Hamilton said the 30-member nonprofit organization is looking to begin running the weekly farmers market sometime in July, preferably in the borough's municipal lot situated behind McMackin Tire.

Find out what's happening in Hatboro-Horshamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hatboro Borough Manager Fred Zollers said the council would need to approve the farmers market as an event request. The governing body could decide to charge a fee for its operation, or waive fees as is commonly done with the Hatboro Carnival and other community events. The HRA would be required to provide liability insurance, he said. 

"I think the council would be more favorable for weekends," Zollers said, adding that the lot is used more readily for parking during the week. 

Find out what's happening in Hatboro-Horshamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Provided the farmers market idea moves forward, Hamilton said the HRA would sell subscriptions to participants for the season, which in subsequent years would likely run from May through November. Some "occasional spaces" would be made available too for home gardeners looking to sell goods periodically.

So far, Thorpe Farms, which offers eggs and certified organic produce, has "100 percent committed" to the concept, according to Hamilton. The HRA would reach out to the other area farmers and seek their participation, she said. 

Besides locally cultivated goods, Hamilton said the HRA, through various vendors, hopes to offer other locally-made items like honey, lotions, soaps, lip balms, as well as plants. 

"There's a huge interest in locally grown food," Hamilton said. 

 


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