The Cobourg Farmer’s Market held their first opening where people could walk through – almost.
Cobourg Farmer’s Market Manager, Laura Berman said customers had to pre-order what they wanted, the items were then packaged and the customers would show up on Saturday, May 30, 2020 to pickup their orders.
Last week, the Farmer’s Market had a “soft opening” to sort out any “kinks.”
This week people were allowed to pick-up their orders by walking in to the area after being advised of the new rules due to COVID-19.
A health inspector with the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit was on location and was given a tour of the market with Berman, Community Events Coordinator, Jackie Chapman-Davis and Licensing Officer, Angela Stewart.
Berman said it went “beautifully.”
“All of our vendors have appropriate sanitisers and are using the safe method of pre-ordering.”
Initially it was thought a drive-thru would be best, but Berman admitted both the town and the farmer’s market decided it wasn’t the safest way to do things.
“Ideally we would like to return to a browsing shopping mode where the vendors have their wares out and people can select.”
“We’re not quite there yet, but we have proposals in. The Health Department seems ok with it. We’ve had their approval. So now we’re approaching Cobourg Council – we hope to get back to normal.”
Berman said it’s been a “tough Spring” for farmers because of the cold, wet Spring.
“They’re just coming into their main Spring harvest.”
“This model is tough on new vendors.”
Berman explains traditionally Farmer’s Markets develop relationship with their customers over the years.
“Our vendors are happy with this. The alternative is not having a farmer’s market, so we would like it to return to a normal farmer’s market. So we’re in the middle.”
One visitor to the market said her family was happy with the market being open as she was turned away last week because her family didn’t pre-order.
“I think it’s wonderful the market is open now that I know how to go about it.”
But she admitted the fear in the air really affected her when she arrived.
“But the produce from here and all the farmer’s is wonderful. The vide of all the farmers is wonderful.”
But in a general sense the woman said, “I can’t wait until it’s all good.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
