In August, tomatoes are ripe, corn is fresh and peaches are sweet. The peak local fruits and vegetables make it a great time to visit a local farmers market.

The Lehighton Downtown Farmers Market has all of that right now, but they also have something to offer year-round. Multiple farms are supplemented by bakers, winemakers and crafters.

“A lot of people come out for vegetables, but having baked goods and dairy and meats, it gives everybody a reason to come and get everything they need in one shot,” said PJ Salerno of Foothill Farm.

On Saturdays, from May-October, the market takes place in the lower park in the borough. In the winter, many of the vendors continue selling at the Lehighton Downtown Winter Farm Market. For more information, call 610-509-6465 or visit Lehighton Downtown Farmers Market on Facebook. Here’s a sampling:

Foothill Farm

Foothill Farm, located in the Mahoning Valley, sells fruits and vegetables at the market. The Salerno family grows and picks their fruits, and operates their own farm stand across from the Mahoning Valley Ambulance. The summer months offer a great selection including peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant and peppers. But there is something from the farm available year-round.

Farmer PJ Salerno likes the market because it’s a one-stop shop for not only vegetables, but also baked goods, dairy and meats. Selling their goods to neighbors and friends is nice, too.

“I like how it’s our home. We’re from Mahoning Valley. We come right down the road and sell to local people in the community,” he said.

570-818-4151, www.foothill.farm, Foothill Farm on Facebook

Liberty Acres

Liberty Acres Farm, from Bangor, pasture-raised poultry, pork and eggs. They sell whole ducks, chickens and in fall, turkeys. Their animals can forage for their own food, and also receive non-GMO feed.

“We don’t use hormones or antibiotics, herbicides or pesticides on the farm,” said farmer Lisa Conrad. “It’s a different lifestyle - cruelty (free) is a huge thing.”

Many people tried local meats for the first time when the pandemic caused a nationwide meat shortage.

Conrad enjoys coming to Lehighton and the setting of Jacob Weiss Park. Liberty Acres is also part of Lehighton’s winter market.

570-795-4057, libertyacresfarmpa.com, Liberty Acres Farm on Facebook

BAD Farm

BAD Farm offers a wide range of dairy products including cheese - cottage and aged - butter, raw milk and yogurt - creamy, Greek and smoothies. They also sell meat, but demand is currently very high.

Farmer Dave Rice and his family milk 90 cows and farm 500 acres. They sell their products year-round at the farmers market and winter market.

During the pandemic, demand for wholesale milk is very low. But sales of their dairy products have been outstanding.

“I’m here three years and I have a regular customer base - loyal customers. They appreciate the products and the work it takes to get them here,” Rice said.

484-221-3302, BAD FARM on Facebook

Debbie’s Pie in the Sky

Debbie’s Pie in the Sky uses local produce and eggs, and no preservatives. In summer that means berry and peach pies, and in the fall, apple pies. She also sells cinnamon rolls and croissants.

She said it’s good to know where your food comes from. With 10 years experience at different markets, Debbie’s favorite is Lehighton because of the friendly vendors and customers.

“If you can dream it up, I’ll make it,” she said.

www.pieintheskypa.com

Patriot Farms

Patriot Farms in Lenhartsville offers vegetables, pork, herbs and flowers. It’s a small operation, just Ansel Bachman, his fiancee and one other employee. Pigs are pasture-raised, and all smoked meats like bacon and ham are nitrate free.

“They’re on a woodland pasture then they get extra veggies or compost. It’s really good pork,” Bachman said.

They also sell salad greens, spinach, arugula, kale and chard, as well as vegetables like peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers.

Lehighton was the first farmers market to allow them to sell, and it has allowed them to grow their business.

732-759-5251, Patriot Farms, LLC on Facebook

Rafael Diaz

Rafael Diaz sells peanut butter that he produces in a commercial kitchen. Diaz uses Spanish peanuts, which, unlike store-bought peanut butter, requires no oil, sugar, salt or preservatives. But he does make things interesting with varieties like mango, peach and a chocolate peanut butter cup flavor. Diaz is 14 years old and admits he enjoys eating his products as well as selling it.

“We make sure to use the best peanuts, Spanish peanuts. Unlike the runner peanuts they use in stores, you don’t have to add any oil, sugar or salt to make them nice and not dry,” he said.

Diaz’s mother, Monica, sells herb-infused oils. She grows the herbs and infuses them in oil. She started with herbs and garlic, and now takes inspiration from North Africa, Spain, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean.

Wild Elder Wine and Co.

Wild Elder Wine and Cider Co. is a Lehighton-based winery specializing in elderberry wine and Normandy-style cider.

They offer private tastings at the winery.

The cider is made from cold-pressed, locally grown apples.

Elderberry is native to Pennsylvania. Like grapes and blueberries, it gets antioxidants properties from the presence of the pigment anthocyanins.

There is evidence that it helps the body fight viruses and modulates the immune system, according to owner Josh Finsel. Its use was documented by writers in ancient Greece and Rome.

“Elderberry wine is very similar to merlot. It’s actually been used as a medicine in Europe for thousands of years,” Finsel said.

Finsel said the market is full of potential, and the park provides easy access to visitors with plenty of parking.

541-912-8479, www.wildelder.com, Wild Elder Wine and Cider Co. on Facebook

Rachel’s Rations

Rachel’s Rations makes homemade CBD-infused products. Rachel Hoff of Jim Thorpe takes hemp flower from a Pennsylvania-approved grower, and infuses it into coconut oil.

The oil can be used for topical ointments including salt scrubs. She also sells tea made from the CBD flower. The products are completely legal and contain no marijuana. They’re an all-natural alternative to pain-relief products like Bengay.

“I think everybody should try it. The pain relief topical is what I’d start out with,” she said.

Hoff said the market makes a great addition to any trip to Jim Thorpe and has a neighborly feel.

www.instagram.com/rachelsrations

Bloomer’s Flower Farm

Bloomer’s Flower Farm grows and arranges fresh flowers. Nick Hill and Allison Pesta grow zinnias sunflowers and more on a family farm near Lehighton. It takes a lot of work but the whole family chips in. The fresh flowers are available May-August.

Pesta said she enjoys seeing the familiar faces at the market each week, both customers and vendors.

“Especially during this time, it’s important to support small businesses. When we’re here we buy from other vendors, vendors buy from us, it’s a nice community,” she said.

484-553-2113 or 609-571-7186, bloomersflowerfarm.com

Soy Candle

Jennifer Riddick operates Soy Candle by Jennifer. Riddick’s soy candles are clean-burning, including ones with wood wicks which burn slower.

“The scent is thrown further in your home. I prefer wood wicks. They crackle and make noise,” Riddick said.

Riddick said she enjoys the variety of vendors at the market, and the interaction they share.

484-951-2788, Soy Candle by Jennifer on Facebook

Stacy’s Masks

Stacy’s Masks sells homemade masks in many different patterns. They have masks of all sizes, including masks made for beards. Their masks are also available at the hobby shop on First Street.

Stacy makes the masks, and her husband does customer service.

“It gets me out in the fresh air. I try to buy from all the local market people here, a little bit from everybody,” she said.

Lehighton Legion

The Lehighton American Legion sells poppies to support veterans. They currently support veterans residing in the Summit Nursing Home, Mahoning Nursing Home, Southeastern Veterans Home and Wilkes-Barre VA.

610-377-6760

Bethany Church

Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church offers activities and crafts for kids. Pam Ream said they want to meet the community and see how they can meet their needs in the future.

610-377-0724, Bethany E.C. Church on Facebook.