GREENFIELD — It’s that time of year — the Greenfield Farmers’ Market will return to Court Square on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with all that market-goers expect and then some.
Every Saturday morning between now and Oct. 31, the 46-year-old market will offer fresh local plants, vegetables, meat and other items. More than 25 vendors will return this year, continuing to offer a variety of locally grown and produced farm products like mushrooms, flowers, pasture-raised beef and pork, maple products, bread and handmade quilts.
“The success of the Greenfield Farmers’ Market is owed to our loyal customers and wonderful vendors,” Farmers’ Market Manager Victoria McGarril said.
She said it is those customers who have kept the market running and “funning” for so many years.
The 2021 market will operate using the most recent COVID-19 guidance for farmers’ markets as outlined by the state Department of Public Health. McGarril added she is “extremely excited” for the opening of the season, and that the local Board of Health approved the opening plans.
“It hasn’t changed a lot from last year,” she said. “People will be required to wear masks, foot traffic will go one way — enter from the south end and exit at the north onto Main Street. We will do a customer count, though that wasn’t a problem last year. Booths will be spaced apart and people will be asked to social distance. We’ll disinfect high-touch areas.”
Still, McGarril said patrons will be able to choose their own products and put them in their bags, unlike last year when vendors were required to do so.
“We will ask that people don’t eat in the market,” she noted. “And we won’t have prepared food unless it is pre-packaged.”
Additionally, McGarril said, the 2021 season will welcome back musicians, who did not perform last year because of the pandemic.
“We will host a variety of musicians through the season and encourage our market-goers to show their appreciation for the Greenfield arts by visiting their booth on the common,” she said.
According to a press release, the market will continue to support Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) customers. HIP allows SNAP customers to double their SNAP benefits when they purchase fruit and vegetables from select farmers. Many vendors have electronic benefit transfer (EBT) machines at their booths, and once customers make an initial purchase, they can then buy eligible SNAP foods with the incentive earned from purchasing approved HIP fruits and vegetables.
“When a SNAP customer swipes their SNAP/EBT card for fruit and vegetable purchases, an equal amount of incentive funds are immediately and automatically added back to their cards, up to the monthly cap,” McGarril said. “For example, if a family uses its SNAP benefits to buy $15 of fresh produce at a farmers’ market, a credit of $15 will be immediately returned to their EBT card.”
The Greenfield Farmers’ Market website, at greenfieldfarmersmarket.com, will have up-to-date information on changes, news and the musicians who will be performing each week.
The market is still looking for volunteers. Those who are interested in helping should email info@greenfieldfarmersmarket.com.
“We’re so excited to continue this tradition,” McGarril said. “We made it through the last year and we’re looking forward to a great summer.”
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.