NIK SNACKS: Triad farmers markets endure the pandemic

They’re open for business, one way or another

Grocery shopping used to be therapeutic. Remember meandering up and
down each aisle, casually picking up boxes, caressing ergonomic jars and
actively crinkling cellophane packages? Grocery shopping was once a
stress-reliever. But now, instead of sampling cubes of cheese and bread slices
dipped in oil along with sips of wine from paper cups and grabbing slices of
fruit stabbed with toothpicks, we’re marveling at the empty shelves and trying
not to touch anything.

My, how times have
changed.

To tamp down on the
community spread of COVID-19, local governments have issued ordinances and
suggestions to limit gatherings of people in indoor and outdoor spaces to no
more than 10 people. While restaurants are limited to take-out, carryout and
delivery options, farmers markets are seeing a boost. An ordinance issued by NC
Gov. Roy Cooper on March 20 states that farmers markets are in the same
classification as grocery stores and can remain open, according to guidance
issued by the state Department of Health and Human Services.

“A big part of my week last week was working with Pricey Harrison, our state rep, about keeping our market open,” says Kathy Newsom, the manager of the Corner Farmers Market in Greensboro.

The market opened
Saturday morning, just like always.

“We didn’t know
what to be prepared for, but about 150 people came through the pre-order pick
up line,” she said. “And while at no time were we crowded, a good clip of
people came through to shop the market.”

Normally, more than
40 vendors set up at the market; last week that number was reduced to 16.
Market communications via email and social media encourage people to pre-order
and utilize the drive-up pick-up option.

“We wanted assured
items that may not be available at grocery stores,” said Newsom. “We asked
certain vendors to sit this one out and focused on sellers of food, plants,
soap and cleaners.”

Farmers Markets
that choose to operate during the COVID-19 outbreak are required to follow the
same federal or state- mandated directives as grocery stores on issues such as
social distancing and crowd size. According to the CDC, the virus is most
likely to cause illness through respiratory transmission, not eating. The
highest concerns include being in very close proximity to people or coming in
contact with highly touched surfaces.

The Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Farmers Market in Colfax, run by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is still open daily from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. As of March 17, operations at the Greensboro Curb Farmers Market, which is run by the City of Greensboro are suspended. Market organizers have compiled a resource directory to connect customers directly with vendors while in lieu of a Saturday market.

“We will be
announcing new portals and models as the days go by,” said Executive Director Lee
Mortensen. “We are moving from a traditional public market to a virtual
marketplace. The market will be here for everyone to continue connecting farmer
foods and friends when we can open our doors again,” Mortensen adds.

The Cobblestone Farmers Market in Winston-Salem usually operates in Old Salem. Since the living museum is closed to the public, Cobblestone staff have decided to set-up outside in the parking lot at 1001 S. Marshall St. on Saturdays with extended hours of 8:30 a.m.-noon until further notice.

All operational
farmers markets are taking several new precautions:

• Providing high-risk
  and senior customers aged 65 and over an exclusive shopping time from 8:30-9
  a.m.
• Creating a 20-foot
  distance between booths, reducing crowd volume by extending market hours and
  promoting pre-ordering, drive-up, pick-up and home delivery.
• Increasing
  awareness and opportunity for social distancing between customers in lines, and
  discouraging prolonged conversations/interactions at a distance
• Vendors will use
  gloves when handling money and, packaged items; two people will manage each
  booth — one money handler and one product handler. 
• Regularly
  sanitizing high- touch areas within the market area and using non-porous
  tablecloths

“We are going above
and beyond grocery stores,” says Salem Neff, Cobblestone Farmers Market
co-founder.

Farmers markets are
an important link in the local food chain. Food access for vulnerable
populations may be a problem, but both farmers markets have a solution.

“We are actively
trying to increase economic growth through agriculture. It’s on our website.
It’s in our mission statement,” says Margaret Norfleet-Neff, Cobblestone
Farmers Market Co-Founder and CEO.

The Cobblestone
Food Access Program and the Greens For Greens program at the Corner Farmers Market
make SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) dollars go farther by
matching every $10 spent at the market with an additional $10 in market tokens
to spend at the market. For example, if a SNAP customer chooses to spend $50
using their EBT (electronic benefits transfer) card, the market matches that
amount and provides an additional $50. Both markets use a token system for SNAP
customers. Tokens are exchanged in lieu of cash to spend at each vendor. The
programs are funded through private donations, grants and sales of market
merchandise such as tote bags, travel mugs and T-shirts.

“The word isn’t out
there about these programs at farmers markets,” says Lauren Shemelya, a SNAP
recipient. She and three of her children qualify for $186 a month in benefits.
“People are lazy and don’t want to cook. Good, fresh fruit and vegetables are
out there. I didn’t even know about the matching program.”