You wait in line, not too long. When you get to the entrance, the hand sanitizer was required. Welcome to a farmers market in 2020.
You couldn't approach the produce, watching from a distance. Credit or debit was the word. The vendors were in a half circle with no aisles to bump into other people.
Not the usual farmers market scene but an attempt at an interim normal.
Customers were moving in a timid fashion. No socializing among customers or vendors. I missed the asparagus that I hoped would be all set to go. The early May farmers market doesn't produce a lot of good options.
This also reflects that this farmers market isn't my normal farmers market but my normal farmers market is charging a $9.99 delivery fee. I love you Green City Market, but that is ridiculous.
Farmers markets in the new normal in the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic
Will COVID-19 play a role with farmers markets?
BalanceofFood.com farmers market coverage
The new normal involves pre-orders. This goes against my own personal spirit of being inspired by the produce at the farmers market and then making purchases accordingly. This might work in May but definitely not in July.
Patience is still the key. Farmers markets are trying to figure all of this and plan with safety in mind.
What farmers markets offer is worth this sacrifice. But this sacrifice needs to be easier. People are shopping in grocery stores. Farmers markets can be as safe as grocery stores. People need farmers markets as a viable shopping option.
photos credit: me
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