GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Farmers’ Market is making its return to Court Square this weekend, with a mix of “old-time favorites” and new products and vendors.
“We’re just excited. … I think it’s going to be a great mix of those old-time favorites we’ve had for years and some new products and vendors,” said Manager Victoria McGarril. “I think it’s going to be a great year for the market.”
The weekly market kicks off on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with more than 25 vendors lined up for the 2022 season.
“As far as our opening day and how things are going to kick off, it’s essentially going to be how it was a few years ago, before the pandemic started,” McGarril said.
In addition to the seasonal vendors, the Greenfield Farmers’ Market will host several community organizations on opening day, including Stone Soup Culinary Institute, the Greenfield Garden Club, Adams Donuts and local parent-teacher organizations.
Some of the products patrons will find this season include perennial plants, flowers, a wide variety of vegetables including mushrooms, sourdough bread, pasture-raised beef and pork, maple products, handmade quilts and other knitted items, according to a press release from the Greenfield Business Association.
Unlike recent years, masks won’t be required and the market will return to its usual array of vendors filling the street.
“We won’t have to worry about distancing or requiring … the produce be handed to customers,” McGarril said.
Still, she noted, the market will stay up to date with guidance from local public health officials.
“We’ll be following any recommendations closely, and we’ll change as soon as we get guidance,” McGarril said.
After two years of modified markets, with masking and one-way traffic enforced, McGarril said it feels great to get back to “normal.”
“I think people can expect to see more vendors, more products — both farm and food-related — but also some artisan vendors,” she noted. “Because we’re operating in a post-vaccine world, we’re expecting to be able to have more vendors and a fuller street.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne