A shared love of food and community brought together three women who are striving to make a difference in Elizabethtown. Madison Synder, Nikita Grove and Cecile Madonna will launch the Elizabethtown Farmers Market Co. (EFM) this spring.

The nonprofit will provide fresh produce along with a gathering space for community members to come together to share information and ideas.

A little over two years ago, Synder and Grove connected after preparing meals for a friend and lamenting the loss of their favorite community supported agriculture farms, markets and co-ops since both returned to Lancaster County - Synder from a job in North Carolina and Grove from a job in Philadelphia. The pair connected with fellow Elizabethtown College graduate Madonna a few months into the planning process. Soon, the trio realized their backgrounds in business, nutrition and community made the perfect combination for the nonprofit board. Synder serves as president of Elizabethtown Farmers Market Co., while Grove is vice president and Madonna is secretary and treasurer.

The women are still working with Elizabethtown Borough to finalize a space along Market Street for the market, which they plan to open with a special event in May. More details will be coming soon about the opening, and the market will remain open every first and third Wednesday of the month through October. It will feature locally sourced food items not limited to produce, baked goods and fresh-cut flowers.

"Our vision is to remove access barriers related to income, geography or education," Madonna said. "We think everyone should have access to fruits, vegetables and goods at their peak freshness and nutritional value. We also want to support the growth and success of local businesses by highlighting our farmers and vendors."

Synder noted that farmers markets in general have a positive economic impact, referencing a 2021 Penn State Extension survey that showed that farmers markets in the state generate an estimated $100 million in annual sales.

"The farmers market will also serve to bring the produce to the people," Grove said. "We are surrounded by so many amazing local producers and yet access is still a barrier. By bringing the farmer/producer to the consumer, we can bridge the gap of access to local goods, reduce carbon footprint and support the health and wellness within our community."

While food will be a centerpiece of the market, the nonprofit will also serve to connect people, the women said.

"Really, we're working to create a hub of education, community connection and commerce," Synder noted. "We're collaborating with local businesses to offer educational information about cooking, healthy living, farming, food production and sustainability. We're also inviting community-centered organizations into the space to share their resources and services with our vendors and partners."

In essence, Elizabethtown Farmers Market will fill body and soul, said Madonna. "Education is one of EFM's core values," she shared. "We want to empower our community through access to resources on a variety of topics, with food at the center of it all. The market will allow our community to become familiar with healthier and more sustainable choices, such as reducing your plastic consumption, cooking demonstrations and wellness programs."

Vendors, community partners and sponsors are still being accepted for the market. Vendors may fill out a Google Form at http://tinyurl.com/2d4zns63, or people may email etownfarmersmarket@gmail.com or call 717-287-9413 for more information.