Local residents were delighted to return to the Bradford Farmers' Market this past Saturday for an in-person shopping experience.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Bradford Farmers' Market was closed to in-person shopping, offering online ordering and curbside pickup only.
Market Manager Laura Vree, farmers and vendors were pleased to return to a ‘somewhat’ normal farmers' market experience this long weekend.
“It’s a whole different market when people have their masks on,” shares returning vendor Shane Singh of Springh Farms. “I barely recognize the people standing in the line up.”
Twelve vendors returned to the ‘pop-up tent’ style market on Saturday while six kept with online pickups. Customers had the option of shopping in-person, ordering online with curbside pick-up, or both.
“I think it’s better than what we expected," said Vree, who monitored the exit of the market to help control the flow of shoppers. “We’re hoping to increase the capacity to double (48 people) in the next stage of re-opening.”
The market’s hours changed this year with a start time of 9 a.m. staying open until 2 p.m. Many residents were unaware of the new open time and as such, a line up of customers began to form around 8:15 a.m.
Vree says she allowed the market to start a bit early to accommodate the lines of people waiting; however, only 24 shoppers at a time could enter into the market area per regulations outlined by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
Despite the limitations, residents were in a pleasant mood and had no issues waiting their turn to enter the market from a controlled, queued line spaced out with pilons and yellow caution tape.
“We needed this," said local mother Jessica Crossan, who relies on fresh ingredients when feeding her family of six.
“I'm glad it was a nice, sunny day," said Coun. Jonathan Scott. "The organizers and vendors were clearly making the special effort to operate safely for Covid-19, even as we all look forward to the restrictions easing up. I got some salami, cheese, and jams which were perfect snacks for the long weekend."
All vendors agreed they were unsure of how to properly prepare for an unknown amount of customers, so while some farmers brought their entire stands of produce, others brought less product and sold out of items before 11 a.m.
“I was a little bit nervous,” admits Tammy Jackson, owner of Sweet Annabella’s, who sold out of all her tarts before 9:30 a.m. “How many people are going to come? How do you set up without it making people feel uncomfortable? Trying to make everything seem normal but ensuring the safety is still there… you want people to be able to see your product, but how much do you want them to see it?”
Jackson was one of several vendors who completely sold out of all product brought to the market.
“It’s a good problem to have!l shouted one customer from the line-up.
Many new vendors joined the market this weekend including E.F.T. Farms, The Jam Guy, and Sweetheart Cakes Co. Returning for a second season are Sweet Pea Sprouts and Pillitteri Estates Winery.
Vendors remaining online only are Homestead Farm (Holland Marsh), 4M Farms (Collingwood), Bradford’s Sweet Handmade Cookies, Soups from East End Kitchen (Barrie), Lake Simcoe Coffee Co. (Georgina), and Sheldon Creek Dairy (Loretto).
“At the end of the day, we gotta adapt,” said Chef Ryszard Surdyk of The Polish Chef.
Vree reminds residents to help keep the line moving while shopping at the farmers' market, and to please ‘be kind’.
“We’re so excited to see people," said Vree. “For us, every year our grand opening is like a home coming – people we haven’t seen all winter – a lot of these people (the new people) we’ve never seen them outside of their cars yet."
For online purchases, visit: www.localline.ca/bradford-farmers-market
