Southwest Illinois farmers’ markets find ways to operate during coronavirus pandemic
While some area farmers markets have postponed opening for the season due to the coronavirus pandemic, others are adapting to public health concerns so they can continue to deliver locally-grown produce to their customers.
Some local farmers’ markets have already opened their 2020 season with drive-thru services.
Since mid-March, patrons of the Maryville Farmers Market have been able to place orders through Facebook and prepay online. They then pick up their orders at Village Hall from 5-6 p.m. on Thursdays without having to step out of their vehicles.
Anne Matthews, president and founder of the non-profit market, said business over these past weeks has been “amazing to watch.” Vendors are serving more than 500 individual orders per event, she said.
Customers come from all over with cars lined up for blocks.
Matthews posted on the market’s Facebook page after their April 30 market: “Just want to take a minute and tell you how amazing you all are! While we see so many farms and small businesses struggling everywhere - you all are showing up in droves to support these farmers and local businesses …. I’ve never been more proud, humbled or grateful!
“I think I speak for all of us that operate, participate and volunteer at the Maryville Market when I say we are blown away by your love, generosity and kindness!”
Turning to tech into an advantage
It took a lot of planning to get the market to have any measure of success, Matthews said.
“Technology was definitely a challenge,” said Matthews.
Many of the participating vendors are local farmers who did not previously use the Internet to market their produce. Now they have an online presence to accommodate the online ordering.
Matthews says this an advantage.
Vendors are more efficient in that they no longer need to guess how much produce to bring. They arrive only with what has been ordered without the worry of hauling unsold produce back to their farms.
Since the first week, small changes have been made to improve efficiency. At first, customers were lined up in one queue with all of the vendors on one side. Now the event is set up with vendors on multiple sides.
Matthews said the vendors play a role in making the process more efficient. They have to package their orders, label them and be very organized to get customer in and out quickly. All the customers have to do is pull up and open their trunks. The vendors load the orders.
The Maryville Farmers’ Market is not the only local market to offer a drive-thru service.
Adjusting on the fly
O’Fallon’s Vine Street Market and the Land of Goshen Community Market in Edwardsville have also been offering online pre-order- and prepay-only with drive-thru or curbside pick-up.
The Vine Street Market held its first drive-thru market April 14. Coordinator Sarah Burton said followed the lead of other area farmers’ markets.
“I adapted it to fit what we can do. We are in unchartered waters with the current pandemic and wanted to offer a shopping option in lieu of going into a store, plus it supports our local farmers and businesses,” Burton said.
Vine Street Market will continue with the drive-thru service until the regular farmers’ market can open.
The Land of Goshen Market website lists participating vendors and products available each week. Customers can shop and pay online from Friday to Tuesday each week for Thursday pick-up. Curbside pick-up takes place on Thursdays at 222 Artisan Bakery in Edwardsville. Local delivery also is available.
Other local farmer’s markets are opening with plans to implement social distancing practices.
Added safety measures
The Monroe County Farmers Market in Waterloo opened May 2, practicing guidelines provided by the Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA).
Nathan Johanning, Extension Educator from the University of Illinois Extension and one of the organizers of the Waterloo farmer’s market, said prior to the May 2 market that precautions would be taken to ensure the safety of vendors and customers.
Johanning also said he is encouraging vendors on Facebook to post their inventories in advance so customers can plan their purchases before they arrive. Vendors are also asked to limit their displays by not to putting out all of their merchandise at once to minimize handling.
Vendors will wear masks, frequently sanitize hands and surfaces, and handle the produce for all customers. Buffers will be provided by placing extra tables between vendors and customers. Handling of cash will be kept to a minimum, Johanning said.
Signage will be posted to remind patrons to take their own precautions. Precautions include maintaining six-foot distances from others and washing all produce prior to use, Johanning said.
The Swansea Farmers Market opened May 7 in the Rural King parking lot in Swansea. According to the group’s Facebook page, ILFMA guidelines were also followed at this market. Signs with ILFMA guidelines were to be posted at each vendor booth. Customers are expected to wear masks and maintain safe distances from others.
Open Markets
Swansea Farmers Market — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays. Rural King parking lot, 2801 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Behind Burger King. Fresh local produce, baked goods, jams, jellies, honey and more. Social distancing guidelines will be in place. Signs will be posted. Have monetary denominations of $10s, $5s and $1s available. Wear masks, keep your distance. facebook.com/SwanseaFarmersMarketInc
Land of Goshen Market — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays. 222 Artisan Bakery, 222 Main St., Edwardsville. Online orders taken Friday through Tuesday for pick-up the following Thursday. Order at goshenmarket.org/shop. Call 618-659-1122 for curbside pick-up. Delivery is available in most of the Edwardsville and Glen Carbon area. goshenmarket.org/shop
Maryville Drive-Thru Farmers’ Market — 5-6 p.m. Thursdays. Maryville Village Hall, 2520 N. Center St., Maryville. Customers can place orders through Facebook before noon on Thursday and pay online. When arriving for pick-up, give your name, remain in your vehicle, then drive up to each farm. Your order will be placed in your trunk/vehicle. facebook.com/MaryvilleILFarmersMarket or maryvilleilfarmersmarket.org
Monroe County Farmers’ Market, Waterloo — 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays. The Family Video parking lot, 100 Plaza Drive, Waterloo. Items available include bedding plants, bread, jams and much more. Social distancing practices will be present with additional tables to provide space between vendor and customer. Vendors will be wearing masks and sanitizing hands and surfaces frequently. Vendors will be handling their produce for customers. facebook.com/Monroe-County-IL-Farmers-Market-316315321779010
Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market — 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Parking lot at the corner of Landmarks Blvd. and Henry St., Alton. Drive-thru only. Fresh produce, plants, meat, cheese, eggs, honey, baked goods and other edible products will be available. Pre-ordering is encouraged. Orders can be made from your car window. Electronic payment preferred. Cash accepted; bring small bills. Vendors advised not to give change. facebook.com/AltonFarmersMarket
Vine Street Drive-Thru Market — 5-6 p.m. Tuesdays. O’Fallon Station parking lot, O’Fallon. Pre-orders and pre-pay only. Orders placed with individual vendors online. Vendor availability and order deadlines vary. For details and information: ofallonstation.com/vendors-vine-street-market-drive-thru or facebook.com/vinestreetmarketofallon
Millstadt Farmers’ Market — 3-6 p.m. Fridays starting May 15. Millstadt VFW Post 7980, 200 S. Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Featuring produce, plants, baked goods, kettle korn, jam, jewelry, honey, Avon and much more. Directed by St. Clair County Health guidelines. 618-476-3037 or facebook.com/MillstadtFarmersMarket
Belleville’s Old Town Farmers’ Market — 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays starting May 16. First block of S. Charles St., between E. Main and E. Washington streets, Belleville. Food and agricultural products only at this point. Masks and social distancing measures required by all. Exact change requested. Link/SNAP/EBT accepted.
This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 11:12 AM.