By Matt Schickling
Wire Staff Writer
It may be getting too cold for farmers’ markets, but fresh, locally-grown food and community pride are never out of season.
Since spring and all through summer, the members of Hatboro Residents’ Association (HRA) have been hard at work organizing a weekly farmers’ market, but as the seasons change they are looking for new ways to reach out to Hatboro.
Almost every Friday evening since May 2, the HRA has packed Hatboro Baptist Church at 32 N. York Road with local vendors selling products ranging from consumables like artisan coffee, wine, baked goods and locally grown produce to crafts like jewelry, clothing, candles and more. Each week features several food trucks and live entertainment.
The next three Fridays will be the last appearances of the farmers’ market until next spring, but thus far it has been a huge success for the HRA and, by association, the Hatboro community.
“We’ve been having a very consistent flow of folks,” Melinda Goodwin, president of the HRA, said. “Every week there are barely any open spots, but we could always easily fit one or two more local vendors.”
With 300 to 400 people coming through every week, that space has become valuable real estate. The market usually ran from 6 p.m. until dusk, but over the last few weeks of the season, the start time has been pushed forward to 5 p.m. to give people more time to shop. Goodwin said the market usually wraps up around 7:30.
Though some products are seasonal, many of the vendors have stores in town or just beyond.
“People can reach out to vendors over the next couple weeks and keep up with their products,” Goodwin said. “A lot of the vendors are businesses and you can follow them on Facebook.”
Right now, the HRA has 127 members, but not all of them regularly attend meetings. The group is constantly looking to expand, especially with board elections coming up in November, where newer members will be able to vote.
Goodwin encourages other residents to attend their meetings held the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Hatboro Baptist Church Annex. The group itself has no religious or political affiliation, just one simply-stated goal: “to improve the quality of the small-town lifestyle to which so many residents feel a strong commitment and which attracts others to the area.”
One way they’ve worked to build up this small-town lifestyle is to connect businesses directly with people via a members discount card. HRA members can buy this card annually for $16, which rewards them with discounts to 41 different local store owners and merchants. Some of these include savings up to 25 percent off.
The proceeds from the market have been put aside to fund a project that has not yet been named. There is a survey available at all HRA meetings, where residents can give input on what to do with the funds. The next HRA meeting will be held on Oct. 28. Goodwin said that some ideas with a lot of support are to bring “a huge event to town,” like a concert to Eaton Park or an arts festival.
“If you want to be a part of the farmers’ market and all the things we do in the community, come out. We just want to make this town a better place for everyone,” Goodwin said. “The more people we have, the more we can do.”
For information and updates for the Hatboro Residents’ Association, visit www.facebook.com/HatboroResidentsAssociation. For information on farmers’ market vendors or how to become a vendor or member of the HRA, visit www.hatbororesidents.com.
