TURNERS FALLS — Despite the coronavirus pandemic, or maybe because of it, the Great Falls Farmers Market has been at least as busy as in past years, and is expected to have more vendors this year than in the past.
It has also added a new online order service with pick-up and delivery options, to cater to people who still are not comfortable in public spaces, according to Market Manager Annie Levine.
The farmers market is open at Peskeomskut Park on Wednesdays from 2 to 6 p.m. Its season started at the beginning of June — a month later than usual, due to logistical complications of the public health crisis.
Now, in addition to regular customers, Levine said the market is probably drawing new customers who are more comfortable with an open-air space than an indoor supermarket.
“I’ve definitely seen some customers who are just glad to be talking to people,” Levine said.
The market moved to Peskeomskut Park last year, having formerly been at the corner of Second Street and Avenue A, as part of an effort to draw more customers. Peskeomskut Park was chosen because it has electricity, running water and shade, and is in an area with more foot traffic, Levine said.
The change worked, and business last year reached higher levels than in past years, she said.
This year, only three weeks into the season, the market is already as busy as its busiest times last year.
“We’re starting off this year where it took a whole season to get to last year,” she said.
More vendors than usual are interested in selling at the farmers market, probably for similar reasons, Levine said. Some have said they can’t sell to their normal buyers, or are selling less, and are using the farmers market to make up for lost income, she explained.
In a normal year, the Great Falls Farmers Market has about five vendors at a time. Now, Levine said, she expects to have eight within the next few weeks.
With the online order service, customers can order ahead either to pick up at the market when it is open on Wednesday, or to have their food delivered.
“We know not everyone wants to shop in public right now,” Levine said. “We’re trying to make the market as accessible as possible.”
Every Sunday night, that week’s order forms will be made available on the Great Falls Farmers Market Facebook page, on turnersfallsriverculture.org and on Instagram, @greatfallsfarmersmarketTF.
Completed order forms must be sent to gffmorders@gmail.com by Tuesday at 9 a.m. The customer will get an invoice on Paypal Tuesday night, which must be paid before noon on Wednesday.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) payments cannot be processed online, so those orders can only be made for pickup, not delivery, and must be paid at the market on Wednesday.
Although the market is as busy as ever, the differences as required by the state government’s guidelines for coronavirus safety are clear upon arrival: the market is cordoned off, managers limit the number of people allowed inside at a time, customers can’t touch produce and everyone wears masks.
Yet, customers and vendors don’t seem to mind the differences too much, Levine said.
“It’s not too difficult,” she said. “Especially now that we’re used to having masks — or, a little more used to having masks.”
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.