Opening day of Scranton’s Co-Op Farmers’ Market Friday found Darlene and Frank Gullone purchasing all of their usual favorites including tomatoes, onions, beans and lettuce.
Like many other area residents who arrived early at the market, they had no concerns about lettuce associated with a widespread outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora.
Gene Badwak, of Peckville, plays songs on his acoustic guitar on opening day of the Scranton Co-Op Farmers Market Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Hopkins Farm employees work their stand at the Scranton Co-Op Farmers Market Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Hopkins Farm owner Bill Hopkins stands behind the cucumbners at his stand on opening day of the Scranton Co-Op Farmers Market Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Siblings Gracie, 7, and Connor Fedorisin, 4, of Moscow, visit the Hopkins Farm stand at the Scranton Co-Op Farmers Market Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Green leaf lettuce is for sale on opening day of the Scranton Co-Op Farmers Market Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
People walk through the Scranton Co-Op Farmers Market Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
People browse the Scranton Co-Op Farmers Market Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Gene Badwak, of Peckville, plays songs on his acoustic guitar on opening day of the Scranton Co-Op Farmers Market Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The couple, of Dickson City, come to the market multiple times each year. They know what they like to eat and they know the vendors. They even know some of the other customers.
To them, there is no safer place to purchase produce, including lettuce.
Neil and Mary Frances Malatesta also came out early to get the best selection.
Neil Malatesta, who grew up on a farm, stressed the importance of supporting local farmers, especially in the face of economic challenges.
The two bought cucumbers, zucchini and other vegetables destined to their dinner table.
‘Hand cleaned, hand picked and hand packed’
Bill Hopkins of Hopkins of Hopkins Farm LLC emphasized there were “zero problems” with produce grown locally. He said vegetables sold from his farm is “hand cleaned, hand picked and hand packed.”
Smaller, local farms are always the safest choice, because they are accountable to their customers, he said.
In addition, vegetables from just down the road always tastes better than anything that’s trucked in from far away.
Hopkins was pleased with the turnout for the market’s first day and first hour.
He pointed out that even the hazardous smog blanketing the area from Canadian wildfires this week, seemed to have cleared up especially for the year’s first market.
Logan Brace, of Brace’s Orchard, said every vendor at the event was required to be “farm to market,” ensuring produce was safe and fresh.
He described that market as a “huge benefit” to local residents, who can purchase produce directly from vendors they know.
In addition, farm staff can also make suggestions and provide information about flavor.
Brace’s best seller this week, colorful peaches on display in containers which provided customers a chance to pick the fruit they deemed the freshest.
Joe Duffy of Scranton and his family were considering purchasing lettuce at the market after they threw store-bought lettuce away because of concerns about safety.
“I don’t know if we’re going to buy the lettuce,” he said. “But, if we did, this would be the safest place to do it.”
The co-op market at 900 Barring Ave. will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Thanksgiving Eve.