Shankweiler’s Drive-in on Route 309 in Orefield hosted its Farm & Food Autumn Market Sept. 13 bringing together local growers and food vendors for a day of celebrating food, community and local businesses.

The event was a collaboration between Shankweiler’s and Crooked Row Farm, also of Orefield, and offered a wide variety of fresh produce, prepared foods and related goods.

Shankweiler’s co-owner Lauren McChesney says she sees the event as an opportunity to build connections within the vibrant local community of farmers, growers and vendors.

“We love to support our neighbors,” McChesney says. “We always try to find ways to elevate other local businesses.”

Shankweiler’s hosted two Farm and Food Market events last year. Collaborator Liz Wagner of Crooked Row Farm says the success of those events led to the decision to increase the number of food markets to four this year.

The charming event had much to offer, and the overcast weather did not deter community members from stopping by to purchase some fresh produce and tempting baked goods while enjoying some spicy Caribbean fare or sipping a lemonade mocktail. In addition to farm-fresh produce and prepared foods, vendors at the market also sold flowers, roasted coffee and handmade soaps and candles.

Chef Anthony Rowe of Lip Smacking Sauces & Caribbean Cuisine was on hand preparing food from his Caribbean-inspired menu and offering his own line of hot sauces.

Tempting treats were offered by Bouchra Aqqab, who founded Delish Kookies in 2021. She was at the market selling mouth-watering baked goods, including baklava and Moroccan cookies.

Mums in an array of autumn colors filled the stand of Lyon Creek Farm. Lisa Pollock, who co-owns the farm with her daughter Kate Pollock, was vending with the help of grandsons Ben and Sam.

Mocktail Lemonades in delightful flavors of summer were offered by Amy Dee of Coal Country Boilo. Dee began her business after preparing her drinks for a library fundraiser. While she was selling her mocktails at this market, she will soon be switching over to her boilo recipes for the holiday season.

Newcomer Vivian Jaber opened her business, Cacao Eclipse, this summer. She was selling handmade chocolates, with offerings that are both vegan and gluten-free.

These and many other vendors created a fresh and interesting market day, with a wide variety of delicious options and an opportunity to support farms and businesses right here in the Lehigh Valley.

Among other events slated for Shankweiler’s is one more food market this year, the Farm & Food Harvest Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14.