The Salem Farmers Market returns for its 12th season at a new, temporary location at the Bentley School parking lot, Thursdays 3-7 pm June 11-October 15, 2020. This new location will allow more space for social distancing and will make it easier to maintain the following guidelines for vendors and shoppers:
The market will open with food vendors only. Additional vendors may be added at a later date per recommendations by the Board of of Health.
Face coverings are required to be worn by both customers and vendors.
There will be a maximum capacity of 100 customers within the market at one time. The temporary move to the Bentley School parking lot will give customers the option to wait in their cars if the market is at capacity.
The market will operate on a clockwise layout with marked entrances and exits. This flow of traffic will be maintained by a police detail and Farmers Market volunteers.
Sanitizing stations will be available at the entrance and throughout the market.
Food samples or food prepared on site will not be allowed.
Vendors may not use tablecloths to allow for easier cleaning of tables, and prepackaged items are encouraged to reduce handling and make shopping quicker.
During the market’s initial reopening there will be no live music, community nonprofits or sponsor tents.
As you plan your visit to the Salem Farmers Market, please keep in mind…
- Face coverings are required.
- Reusable bags are not allowed.
- No dogs allowed.
- Restrooms are only available for vendors.
- EBT programs are temporarily suspended until a safe, paper-free solution can be developed.
- Single-person shopping is encouraged.
- Vendors are being encouraged to consider CSAs and pre-orders, but this will not be organized by the market, however the market committee will promote these initiatives.
These policies may be reevaluated and changed at any time by the market committee and the Board of Health to ensure the safety of all involved.
For five months every year, the largely volunteer-run market gives residents and tourists alike the opportunity to buy farm-fresh produce, seafood, baked goods, meat, and a variety of other goods. At the heart of the market are seven major farms: Clark Farm, Gibney Gardens, Maitland Mountain Farm, Grant Family Farm, Heavens Harvest Farm, Long Hill Orchard, and Wally’s Vegetables. They will be complemented as the season progresses by an array of specialty foods, bakery products, spices, and non-food vendors.
The market is made possible through the leadership of Salem Main Streets and the Farmers’ Market Committee, as well as the generous contributions of numerous volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help with weekly set up from 1:30 to 3:00, help at the info table between 3:00 and 7:00, and break down help from 6:30 to 7:30. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact salemfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
To get the latest updates about the farmers’ market, visit our website at salemfarmersmarket.org, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
About Salem Main Streets
Salem Main Streets’ mission is the continued revitalization of downtown Salem as a vibrant, year-round, retail, dining and cultural destination through business retention, recruitment, and the promotion of the downtown district. SMS provides direct support to downtown businesses and produces numerous community events and initiatives throughout the year, including the Salem Farmers’ Market, Salem Arts Festival, Salem’s So Sweet, and the October Information Booth. SMS operates thanks to the generosity and partnership of the City of Salem and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, Creative Collective, and many other local business sponsors and community volunteers.
Tags: Outdoor
