• By CHRIS ALDRIDGE
• Kentucky Agricultural News

Lexington Farmers’ Market and Community Farmers’ Market in Bowling Green are two examples of markets that are successfully coping with the current coronavirus pandemic.

Both farmers’ markets moved to larger outdoor spaces, spreading out their vendors and giving their customers more space for social distancing.

Lexington’s popular Saturday morning market moved from its usual downtown spot at Fifth Third Bank Pavillion in Cheapside Park. When the virus made headlines by spreading like wildfire in Italy in late February, the market began making contingency plans to move its operations a couple of blocks to the Rupp Arena parking lot.

“We’ve been following the guidelines from CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and taking social distancing steps,” said Lexington Farmers’ Market Manager Josh England. “We went to a large parking lot where could add 10-20 feet between vendors and allow social distancing for our customers as well.”

England said the change was well accepted by customers, who have rewarded some vendors with weekly sell-outs.

“Business is actually up, which is not typical,” he said. “The last few weekends, five or six farms have sold out their vegetables. You usually don’t see sell-outs in early spring vegetables. Usually people don’t get as excited about baby spring lettuce as they do about other crops.

“It’s exciting to see them sell out last few weekends with all that’s going on. I never imagined it {pandemic] would be as life changing as it’s been. We’ve been working to make sure our farmers have an outlet for their crops.”

England attributed the uptick in business to the change in venue in the age of social distancing.

“This is a safer environment,” he said. “It’s open air, and there’s more space, so that makes it easier to spread out. Plus, Rupp Arena parking is more convenient.”

Down in Bowling Green, Community Farmers’ Market Manager Susan Warrell said that while customer count has been drastically down, vendor sales have been much better than normal.

“The customers here are intentional shoppers,” she said. “They are here because they want local, nutrient-dense foods, and because shopping farmers’ markets are a safe way to shop.

“I would venture to say that they are spending the majority of their food budget on local food here at our market. Our social distancing and reduced foot traffic rules are working. People aren't loitering around or just walking through looking at everything. They're here to buy local.”

The year-round, indoor market responded to the pandemic by moving outdoors.

“We quickly realized that our indoor space would not allow the extra space for social distancing,” Warrell said. “Moving outside, we were able to be out in the fresh, open air, and we were able to spread out space between vendors, and have plenty of space for customers waiting in line.”

Bowling Green vendors’ booths are spaced 10 feet apart.

“We painted dots on the ground to show people where to stand, and those are spaced 7 feet from each other and 7 feet away from the vendor,” Warrell said. “We asked customers to ‘shop with their eyes’ – to please point out or tell the vendor what product they would like, and the vendor gets each product for the customer.”

Warrell called this time in history “a weird time for everyone, and especially for farmers’ markets, with many customers wearing masks covering their mouths and noses.

“I feel like I'm in a bizarro world that's opposite from our normal farmers’ market world,” she said. “We usually tell people, ‘Come! Bring your friends and family! Come hang out and visit! Talk to our farmers and vendors!’

“Now we're asking them to get in, get their stuff, and get going – and monitoring that they're not too close and that they're shopping alone. Strange times! But it allows us to continue to sell local produce and products, and it's keeping healthy foods in the hands of our community, so we'll do what it takes to keep going!”

England said he has fielded phone calls from other farmers’ markets around the state that are struggling.

“We’ve been able to overcome the fear and make people feel our products are safe,” he said. “We offer preordering now. Most (vendors) are doing it online, while for others it’s as simple as calling them and asking for things to be set back.”

England and Warrell offered some advice for other farmers’ markets.

“First thing, if they’re afraid to open, communicate with city officials,” England said. “Make it a collaboration. Make sure you have a plan that doesn’t make the city uncomfortable, but let them know you’re allowed to stay in business and take every opportunity available to get your products out.

“Also listen to customer feedback,” he added. “Make them (customers) feel safe.”

“Reach out to other farmers’ markets across the state and country for advice,” Warrell said. “I have found that the farmers’ market manager groups that I'm a part of have been invaluable resources.

“Do what you can to help keep things normal and running smoothly, and don't be afraid to ask for help,” she added. “We truly are in this together.”