By Erinn Miller
Ever since the conception of the Homer Farmer’s Market, the community has had a place to gather weekly in the summer, meeting new people and having access to fresh, locally grown produce.
Now, with the national pandemic giving rise to health concerns that put a stop to many community events, the Homer community and Sara Essig, one of the women in charge of organizing the event, are working tirelessly to hold the market while prioritizing the health and safety of their friends, families, and neighbors.
The 2020 Homer Farmer’s Market will be held every Wednesday from 4-6 PM starting on July 1.
This year the market will look quite different, though, with a new location in downtown Homer along First Street, instead of the usual Main Street. This is one of the many decisions made by organizers to better streamline traffic in the market and maintain social distancing, along with only one entrance and one exit.
Another difficult decision made by organizers is only allowing produce to be sold.
Although the Homer community will miss the Sydney Dairy Barn Moo Mobile and local craft vendors, Essig still wants shoppers to have access to local vendors by making their contact information available on the Homer Farmer’s Market Facebook page.
Organizers still want their community to have access to fresh local produce, which is why they ask shoppers to follow social distancing rules. Shoppers should wear a mask, send only one member from each family, pay with one dollar bills or quarters and refrain from touching the produce by indicating selection to vendors. Hand washing stations will be available.
These regulations will be available for review on Facebook and posted at the entrance of the market.
In addition, organizers have required that vendors wear masks and gloves during the Homer Farmer’s Market, too. They have been instructed to separate out produce for purchase at a whole dollar amount to limit the amount of changed being exchanged.
Although the Homer Farmer’s Market will look very different this year, the opportunity to purchase locally grown produce is something to be thankful for.
Vendors are continuously being announced on the Facebook page along with the produce they will sell every week. Any updates can be seen on the Facebook page and questions can be sent there as well.
