SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The Summerside Farmers’ Market is moving outdoors.
The popular event has moved from inside to the back parking lot of the Holman building for social distancing purposes, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The market will reopen on Saturday morning.
“Space-wise, inside, we wouldn’t be able to operate because some of our food vendors and tables are only 55 inches apart,” said Summerside Farmers’ Market manager Don MacDonald. “They are some of the busiest vendors – the food vendors.
“There was just no way we could do it and do it properly. We looked outside and decided that was the way to go.”
Longtime vendor Barry Clohossey of Clohossey Farms from Nail Pond added moving outdoors was the only option.
“We can’t function as a market inside, just for the number of vendors we have,” said Clohossey, who is on the market’s board of directors. “It’s the only way it’s going to happen for the present time as far as we can see. It’s a way we can stay in business and get fresh, good products to our customers.”
Clohossey said he is not a fan of outdoor markets, but he understands the situation.
“There is not a lot going on, and we are quite comfortable our regular customers are going to stick with us and keep us going,” he added.
MacDonald said 26 or 27 vendors are expected Saturday. He noted there would normally be 38 to 40 vendors in the summer.
Some are seasonal vendors and some people come in during the summer with items such as crafts.
“There are still a few of our regular vendors who are not ready to come back, but may come back at some time," said MacDonald.
NEED TO KNOW
Here are some facts about the Summerside Farmers’ Market:
- It will open on Saturday and will run every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
- It will take place in the parking lot behind the Holman building. Vendors will start by the entrance to the Farmers’ Market and proceed along the back parking lot.
- There will be a separate entrance and a separate exit. Directions will be clearly marked.
- Vendors will be selling items such as beef, pork, blueberries, strawberries, rhubarb, beer, wine, cheese and a few crafts.
The Department of Health provided its approval for the market last Thursday.
Regulations, which have to be followed quite strictly, focus on things like social distancing and sanitation.
“It took quite a while (to get those in place)," said Clohossey.
“Everybody is wanting the market to go, and it’s the way it’s going to be this summer. We have no choice in the matter, and if we are going to do anything this is all we can do.”
MacDonald said “it means an awful lot” to be able to keep the Farmers’ Market going.
Over the last three or four years it has become a social outing to a lot of people, although for now, at least, they won’t be able to sit down and have a coffee.
“They will be able to buy a coffee, but there will be no place to sit down and talk. It’s a big, big part of a lot of people's Saturday mornings.”
We’re happy to announce that after weeks of planning, The Summerside Farmer’s Market will be reopening OUTDOORS,...
Posted by Summerside Farmer's Market on Saturday, June 6, 2020
