Pat Knopf, director of the Northampton Farmers Market, said she is delighted with the 2023 season so far.

She noted attendance has been good, and the selection of food and other items is diverse. The market features meat products, homemade baked goods, microgreens, a food vendor offering burgers and hot dogs and more.

The market runs 3-6:30 p.m. every Tuesday through Sept. 19 at Municipal Park, Smith Lane and Laubach Avenue.

Knopf expressed delight she secured a new produce vendor for this season. A Mennonite farms group from Minersville, Micah and Cephas Riffey’s stand has an array of fruits, vegetables, baked goods and flowers for sale.

Danielle Hardy’s table - That Planty Chick - offers succulent plants and other items for sale. For more information, email Hardy at thatplantychick@gmail.com.

Janice Graver is a perennial vendor at the market. Her Graver Farmstead offers grass-fed beef and natural pork products, both custom and retail. Visit graverfarmstead.com for more information or to order meat products.

David Derkits, founder and grower at Nuhydro Farms of Bangor, offers microgreens and other healthy items for sale.

A big hit at the market is Nana’s Fresh Baked Goods, owned by Nellie Laudenbach, of Moore Township. She offers pies, cakes and other baked goods. Nellie’s stand is reportedly often the first to sell out at the market. Her shop is located at 566 Hobby Lane, Bath. Call 610-759-3770 to order.

Looking at future trends, Knopf discussed the impact of community-supported agriculture. A CSA is a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so the farmland essentially becomes a community farm.

Individuals agree to purchase vegetables produced by the farm on a weekly basis at a reduced price to assist the farm, have local produce and share risks and benefits of food production.

Knopf’s concern is CSAs may develop relationships with local farmers that will reduce their willingness to staff local farmers markets.

In the past, a local farmers market would have multiple farmer vendors present. CSAs might have current farmers markets evolving with more eclectic fare, providing items like microgreens, specialty mustards and other condiments, wineries, baked goods, plant sellers and even arts and craft vendors.