Opening one weekend later than usual, the Powassan Farmer’s Market used Saturday’s event as a pre-order, pre-pay only market.
It has been working with Farmers’ Markets Ontario and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit to ensure it is working within the COVID-19 guidelines to keep the customers and vendors safe.
“We wanted to make sure we had the setup down pat. We had to wait until we had all of the approvals and it was quite a bit of work getting this set up. So, we just pushed it back by one week to give ourselves a little bit of time,” explained market secretary Lindsey Gradeen.
“We just got approval Friday to open it up to more shopping, still with social distancing. So next week the vendors will have a lot more extra items that they’re bringing with them, but we still really encourage people to do the pre-orders.”
In promoting online sales, Gradeen says the process is easy.
“If you visit our Facebook page, pinned to the very top is a poster that lists all of the food vendors, their email addresses and their phone numbers. If you want to email us with any questions, it is really easy [email protected].”
Only five vendors attended the opening day, selling a variety of items including baked goods, bedding plants, maple syrup, herbs, and greens.
“That’s because we’re only allowed to have food vendors at this moment. But we are still promoting our artisan vendors on our Facebook page because they’re able to do their own curbside pickup,” said Gradeen.
In a normal year the market allows leashed pets on-site and offers activities for the children.
“We just want to make sure everyone is safe with as little movement as possible, so we’re encouraging only one person per household coming to pick up, and no children or pets.”
Both the vendors and the customers are happy to see the market up and running.
“We’ve heard some people say they like the pre-orders because then they know what they want is actually going to be there. People have been really friendly. They understand that things have to be different. They’re just really happy to get local food and to be supporting local businesses,” said Gradeen.
Vendor Ruth Lagassie, owner of Ruth’s Bakery says while the format is different, it is workable.
“It is not as good as people being able to see and pick and make their own choices, but it is a different world. We’ll get by,” says Lagassie.
The format has changed the way she normally prepares for market sales.
“This takes the guesswork out of it. You just bake what you need, but I like the combination of online shopping and shopping in person. A lot of people like being able to just browse and pick.”
Even the amount of baking she does has changed with people staying home due to COVID-19.
“People are stuck home now. They’re not out in the workforce and hustling and bustling their kids here and there to every sport and activity. So, they have time to actually bake, so that makes it a little different in my world again. You just go with the flow.”
Anne Dockendorff sells a variety of foods from her Silver Rapids Farm.
“I really enjoy being at the market. It is a little bit different, but I’m really glad it was able to open. You become friends with customers over the years. You can greet them from afar, so that is nice too,” said Dockendorff.
“The online business is new for me and I think business is better online than when people just come to the market, for the plants anyway. When I have fresh vegetables they usually sell out before the end of the morning, but for the plants I can predict exactly what I need so that has been nice.”
As a regular customer of the market, Laurie Hoyt was glad to see it open, even if it is in a limited capacity.
“It makes me happy. I’m very grateful that they have become a little more innovative with the times and that they’re still able to sell their goods,” said Hoyt.
“I found the online shopping super easy. Most of the vendors have their phone numbers. If you have any questions you can give them a call. It is very user friendly. Buying local and supporting local is very important to me. These people here do so much to help other groups in the community and it is only right that we try and support as many local businesses as we can.”
The market will be open next Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon.
