The Arnold Farmers Market opened for the season on May 9, and the Cedar Hill and De Soto markets are set to open this coming weekend, with a fourth market expected to open in June.
Based on the attendance at the Arnold market’s opening day, county residents are interested in buying farm-fresh food and are willing to follow new rules put in place to stem the spread of COVID-19, market manger Teresa Kohut said.
She said at least 500 customers showed up to shop at the market, which is near the entrance of Arnold City Park on Bradley Beach Road. The market is open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through mid-October.
“We were really pleased with the turnout, and most people were very compliant with the rules of the market,” Kohut said. “We were worried about that a little bit, anytime you have something that is different and a change, you kind of worry.”
Kohut said everyone in the market had to wear a mask, and only 38 customers were allowed inside the market at one time. In addition, only 19 booths, about half what the market can accommodate, were set up to allow for social distancing, vendors wore masks and bagged the products for the customers, who were not allowed to handle the merchandise.
“We feel like that having it be as safe of an environment as possible in these times really brought more people out,” Kohut said. “I think people were happy to see us take their safety very seriously.”
Kohut said while there was a steady flow of customers on opening day, she only saw about seven people needing to wait outside the entrance at one time.
“Most people can make that shopping route in about 10 to 12 minutes,” Kohut said. “It was constantly moving.”
Kohut also said most people didn’t have a problem with wearing masks to the market.
“We held tightly to our rules, while still being helpful and friendly with our customers,” she said. “If someone didn’t know (about the mask requirement), someone could go in (to the market) and buy one for them, or I saw there were times in the parking lot when a customer said to someone else, ‘I have these masks that are still wrapped, you can take these.’”
Kohut said the Arnold market won’t have as many crafters and artisans this season, since priority will be given to vendors who will sell food, the managers said.
However, food cannot be prepared on site, and there will be no entertainment or places set up for customers to sit and hang out at the markets.
Kohut said meat vendors, Tri-Pointe Farms and Yesteryear Meats, and vendors who sold baked goods reported strong sales.
“(Mary Schultz of Southern Yankees Soaps) told me she had the best day she ever had,” Kohut said. “We had vendors sell out of merchandise, and vendors saying this was the best day they have ever had. It was really good.”
Kohut said last year’s market brought in $6,480 despite having to relocate the market to the Arnold Recreation Center for a while because of flooding at the park.
More coming
The Cedar Hill Farmers Market, 810 S. Industrial Drive, is scheduled to open Friday. It will be open from 3-7 p.m. each Friday through Oct. 30, market manager Ray Underwood said.
The De Soto Farmers Market will begin operating Saturday. It is located at 520 N. Main St. and is open from 8 a.m. to noon through Oct. 31.
The Hillsboro Farmers Market, which normally opens for the season on the second Wednesday in May, has not set an opening date. Market manager Carmelita Davidson said she hopes to see the market open in June.
New way of operating
Like the Arnold Farmers Market, the others will have new rules to follow.
All the county’s farmers market managers had to submit a plan to the Jefferson County Health Department to ensure they operate as safely as possible because of the pandemic.
The De Soto markets also will have fewer vendors than usual in order to adhere to social-distancing guidelines.
Melissa McAlpine said the De Soto market, which previously could accommodate 27 vendors, will limit it to 10 for the time being.
The Cedar Hill market typically has five to six vendors, so customers should not see a reduction, said Ray Underwood, the market manager.
Both the Arnold and De Soto markets have hand-washing stations, and McAlpine said customers will be required to wash their hands before entering.
Kohut and McAlpine said customers will be asked not to touch the produce, and instead, someone at a booth will bag the items customers purchase.
McAlpine said the De Soto market only allows customers to enter at the west side of the market and exit on the east side of the area. She said all other entry and exit points will be roped off.
She also said vendors will be asked to have two employees at each booth with one designated as a bagger for the produce and another one handling transactions.
“We are hoping this goes off without a hitch,” McAlpine said.
She said the De Soto market raised about $7,000 last year.
The Arnold and De Soto markets also have systems in place for people to pre-order food and have it taken to their vehicle when they arrive at the market.
Kohut said information on how to pre-order is on the Arnold Farmers Market’s Facebook page. There will be a designated parking lot at the Arnold market for people to receive their pre-ordered items.
McAlpine said people may go to the De Soto Farmer’s Market’s web page, gethealthydesoto.org, and pre-order their food. When at the market, customers who pre-order will be directed to drive to the market’s office and barn to have their order placed in their vehicle.
“You will not even have to get out of your car,” McAlpine said.
Kohut said vendors interested in taking part in this year’s Arnold Farmers Market may call her at 636-275-6989.
McAlpine said vendors may visit the De Soto Farmers Market’s website to see how many booths are available each Saturday and to contact the market about participating.