The Arnold Farmers Market will open for the season on Saturday (May 9), although operations have changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The market, which is located near the entrance of Arnold City Park on Bradley Beach Road, is expected to be open from 8 a.m. to noon that day and then every Saturday through mid-October.
“We are excited to get going on May 9,” Arnold market manager Teresa Kohut said.
Because of the pandemic, though, the market will limit both the number of vendors and customers in order to adhere to social-distancing guidelines.
The market will allow no more than 19 vendors, at least for now. Typically, it could accommodate 37 vendors.
Also, only vendors who sell food items or food-producing plants will be allowed, and no food will be prepared on the site.
The number of customers allowed in the market at one time will be limited to 38 – two per vendor booth. So, there will be no entertainment or places set up for customers to sit and hang out.
“That is different from what our markets have been in the past, where they have been a place for socialization,” Kohut said.
In addition, both vendors and customers will be required to wear masks. Vendors also will wear gloves.
The market will have a hand-washing station and customers will be asked to wash their hands when they enter the market. Also, customers will be asked not to touch the produce, and instead, the vendors will put items customers want to purchase in bags.
“We are trying to do right by the farmers and local community to provide them with the freshest, local produce that we feel is the safest alternative to grocery shopping,” Kohut said. “We will try to do everything we can to protect our customers and allow them a safe environment.
”We say here at the market, just the famer touches your food before you buy it, while in the grocery store, many people have touched the food before you buy it. We think we are offering a safer alternative to shopping. We also think social distancing is easier outside, because you are not limited to an aisle.”
Each farmers market in the county had to submit a plan to the Jefferson County Health Department to ensure they would be operating as safe as possible during the pandemic.
The market also will have a system available for people to pre-order food and have it taken to their vehicle when they arrive.
Kohut said information about how to pre-order is on the Arnold Farmers Market Facebook page. There will be a designated parking lot for people to receive their pre-ordered items.
Kohut said vendors interested in taking part in this year’s Arnold Farmers Market may call her at 636-275-6989.
