Pay What You Can Markets

The idea for a Pay-What-You Can Market stand came when local urban farmers noticed a surplus of crops in their neighborhoods of scarcity. The Erie downtown district has no grocery store, which presents great difficulty for residents to find healthy, fresh, affordable foods. Thus, the PWYC markets were born out of abundance as an opportunity to offer everyone in the area a more secure food system. The markets not only grant equal access to the gifts of the Earth, but uplift local farmers, as well. Anyone is welcome to take the food they need and “pay what they can”, setting their own price to suit their budget.

Groundwork Erie joined the PWYC coalition of farmers and other non-profit organizations in 2025. Since the beginning of the growing season, our Green Team has been planting, growing, and harvesting produce on our 4th Street Community Farm to be shared with neighbors at the PWYC markets. Groundwork Erie hosts two of these markets each week.

Wednesday 4:00-6:00pm at ECAT (650 East Ave)

Friday 12:00-2:00pm at 4th Street Farm (310 E 4th St)

With the success of each market, it is the coalition’s goal to inspire community members to:

  • join the movement for a sustainable local food system

  • try new foods

  • try new garden ambitions

  • share in community meals and conversations

  • share gratitude with our local growers and the Earth

In addition to Groundwork Erie’s two market stands, five other PWYC markets take place around our city each week. PWYC season will continue throughout the summer months into the beginning of October. We hope to see you stop by a market and get some fresh, locally grown produce!

The Pay-What-You-Can coalition is supported by BUILD through the Hamot Health Foundation. Check out more here.