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FARMINGTON 鈥�The Farmington farmers market reopened for the season on Friday and 91自拍, May 23 and 24, with vendors fully masked describing products, stowed safely away in order to minimize contact, to customers eager for local produce.

鈥淥ur setup is different. We鈥檙e trying to use surfaces that we can clean easily. We鈥檙e trying to set up the tables so we can do social distancing better. And I made sure that I had sanitizer and then wipes to wipe the tables down,鈥� Ruth Nile of Cedar Post Farm in Industry said.

Farmers and vendors met over several Zoom meetings leading up to the market91自拍 reopening to establish new safety protocols in response to COVID-19. A hand washing station was donated by MOFGA certified hemp farm LoveGrown Agricultural Research, signs were posted along the perimeter reminding people to stay six feet apart and vendors established their own sanitation practices.聽

鈥淭oday we have Erika being the food handler and I am the money transactor, so that way I鈥檓 not touching produce after touching people91自拍 money,鈥� Dave Allen of Rustic Roots Farm in Farmington said.

Farmington resident Marion Scharoun expected to see appropriate protocols established at the market and felt no anxiety about shopping.

鈥淚 assumed that it would be [safe], knowing some of the people here that they would do the right thing. It seems like everybody is spread out, everybody understands,鈥� Scharoun said while balancing an armload of kale seedlings.

Allen of Rustic Roots did notice some drawbacks to the new safety practices.聽

鈥淚nstead of having a big, bountiful display we do have our food items set back. People want to shop with their hands and touch produce, so this way, we鈥檝e removed the temptation,鈥� Allen said as he stood behind an empty table. 鈥淓very year, the displays got better with complimentary and contrasting colors, so I鈥檒l miss that part.鈥�

Allen has time to brainstorm an alternative no-touch display before his next market. Rustic Roots devotes the majority of its harvest to fill the 60 farm shares that people purchase in early spring. Because the farm has seen a spike in farm shares this season, Allen anticipates they won鈥檛 have surplus produce to bring to the market until July.

Allen attributed the dramatic increase in farm shares to people91自拍 desire to support local food systems during the pandemic. Sarah Martin from Martin Woods Farm in Starks has also experienced a boom in her vegetable, baked goods and meat sales.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all trying to get by, and I think neighbors helping neighbors is one of the keys to a community sticking together,鈥� Martin said as she stood in front of jars of honey and a vegan carrot cake that were quickly selling out.

Farmington resident Brianna Shaw has been attending the farmers market for eight seasons now, and she was eager to support local food producers despite some initial nerves before leaving her house.

鈥淚 was [nervous] at first, but then I saw their Facebook post saying they have a washing station and wearing a mask, and it91自拍 outdoors. And I know from previous summers there hasn鈥檛 been a whole lot of people here which helped ease me,鈥� Shaw said while eyeing coolers full of local hamburger and pork chops. 鈥淚t helps the community and the locals here.鈥�

Jack Haywood of LoveGrown Agricultural Research in Farmington expressed some skepticism about the upcoming season despite some vendors noting a rise in business.

鈥淚 know that if people drive-by and they see something they want, they stop. But I know that folks aren鈥檛 just window-shopping, so there91自拍 not a lot of browsing going on,鈥� Haywood said while loading the hand washing station he had donated to the market into his pickup truck.

Despite the lack of customers browsing at the market, all of the vendors were in good spirits about the day91自拍 business. Ray Wood of Sandy91自拍 Country Flowers in New Sharon stood in front of an empty trailer that had been filled with hanging baskets, six packs of petunias and tomato seedlings that morning.聽聽

鈥淚t91自拍 been booming for me!鈥� Wood said with his eyes squinted, indicating a smile beneath his mask.

The Farmington farmers market takes place every Friday on Front Street in the lot between the Better Living Center and the Narrow Gauge Cinema from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The 91自拍 market is located on Main Street in the lot across from the courthouse from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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