In New York State, where I live, the farmers market where we live (a year round outdoor market) never closed, but, to be honest, I stopped going towards the end of March because I didn't feel safe there. (Why not? It's complicated, it was fixed, we all learned and entered our New Normal. Basically, I felt it was too closed in, and it was hard to keep social distancing.)
There was a learning curve - some vendors left (offering other options to their clients), the space opened up some, and, finally enough spring weather arrived and some vendors were able to move outdoors. And, the garage doors farmers used to access the building were opened up, giving it more ventilation.
We are fortunate - we have a car, and we can afford some of the prices. The prices are not at all out of line, given what the farmers must do to make their livings, but at the same time, there are a lot of people out of work, depending on food giveaways. It is a hard time for many.
Many people are seeking to grow their own food, but farmers markets are also more important than ever as commercial food distribution channels struggle to adjust to the changes in our society.
I started going again (every other week) with my spouse in May. It used to have a one shopper per family limit, which is not strictly enforced anymore, but we still tend to separate.
Yesterday, at the market, this is some of what we found.
Lettuce.
Asparagus. (This asparagus is so, so fresh.)
We also bought chicken eggs, duck eggs and a two pack of whole wheat handmade English muffins.
I shudder to think of if we have to close back up. I am so grateful for the chance to buy fresh food from farmers I've known for years. Do we recognize each other with our masks on? Maybe not, but we are both there, and that is what matters.
There is one piece of good news for our area - a portion of Binghamton, New York (where I used to work before I started working from home in March) which hasn't had a supermarket for over 20 years is going to get one - not a national chain but a store a year or so in the making, set up by our local Council of Churches.
What is happening, as far as food, where you live?
Back in March and April our supermarkets were crazy, lots of empty shelves. Yesterday I went to Shoprite. Aside from the fact that the floors are marked for social distancing and everyone was wearing a mask, and the absence of a serve-yourself salad bar, it looked the same as it did pre-pandemic.
ReplyDeleteThe local farm stands are starting to open ...
What I will mention about local supermarkets is that I thought they were clean but going into one now is unreal. We have social distancing markers and plexiglass and sanitizing between each customer now, too.
DeleteWe have not gone to a store since March 12th. (I have a chronic lung disease.) We rely on Peapod, a grocery delivery service. Often things we order are unavailable, but we don't know until after the groceries are delivered. Some of the fresh fruits and vegetables look a little shopworn. I wouldn't have bought them if I'd been shopping in person. Still, I'm grateful for the service.
ReplyDeleteWe have Instacart here. My husband is not afraid to shop, even though his brother had COVID-19 and was hospitalized. It got really hard using Instacart; families banded together and would combine their shopping because it was almost impossible to get deliveries unless you went online at 3am and snagged a time slot.
DeleteI know the farmers market I used to sell at has continued to be open throughout, but they got rid of the other vendors, just keeping the produce (and the fish guy) open. No pre prepared food, no outdoor dining, and no other vendors. I'm sure they'll be back as things open.
ReplyDeleteOur farmers market made some of the same changes. We never had outdoor dining at ours. I'm sure Ithaca (an hour away) is suffering more - they had many, many prepared food vendors and crafts vendors.
DeleteOur farmers' market (which they call the Grower's Market, which just sounds like it sells weed) was only closed a short time, but I am not going for a good long time. It's outdoors, but I've been in the past and there is NO way if as many people as usual go you can stay 6' apart! They say the vendors can't be ill, but who's checking? I actually haven't been in a single store for almost three months! My adult son lives with me, so he goes in and shops for us. I was hoping to start next week, with a mask of course, but numbers are up (due to increased testing, but that shows us that more people than we knew were sick!) so I guess I'll wait a few more weeks. Shortages are less frequent, and they will be out of strange things.
ReplyDeleteWhat I miss most isn't the food, it's the library (we can check out again, pick up at the door, my son does that too), and thrift store rummaging! My daughter told me "NO" to thrift stores, all that used stuff!
Nice you're getting a grocery! I read the article, it sounds like an interesting one.
Some of what you described is what concerned me about our market but they did make changes, and we try to get there immediately after it opens. Our library is only starting curbside pickup today. I am not intending to use it for a while. I doubt there will be any booksales for a long while, something I do enjoy.
DeleteLovely looking produce. Our farmer market runs end of April until first of Sept. But in Nov they have a Christmas market.
ReplyDeleteHaven't been to our yet.
We haven't been to the market which was always set up on Sunday, since this all began. After reading your post, I will "convince" him to do a drive-by.
ReplyDeleteAsparagus...mmmm.