On a Tuesday in late April, a line formed in front of a table for Andy’s Egg and Poultry at the Kenilworth Farmers Market in Towson.
Wearing face masks and standing roughly 6 feet from one another, customers waited for their turn to choose from a selection of eggs, pork or poultry offered by the vendor.
This scene, like many others, has become the new reality for many farmers markets across the country. Like grocery stores and other retail businesses, farmers markets are required to practice social distancing; however, their outdoor locations offer an attractive alternative to customers.
Kenilworth Farmers Market is one of a number of farmers markets in Baltimore County that has been asked to remain open to serve their community. Considered an essential business by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, farmers markets provide customers access to locally produced products from a variety of vendors, according to its website. This year, more than 100 farmers markets will be selling products to customers across the state.
Running Tuesdays through November from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the lower level parking lot at The Shops at Kenilworth, customers at the Kenilworth Farmers Market can choose from a variety of products from up to 14 vendors.
Beckie Gurley, co-owner of Calvert’s Gift Farm in Sparks Glencoe, has been a vendor at the market for the past eight years. She and her husband, Jack, have provided locally produced fruits and vegetables to the community for nearly 25 years.
Despite the changes brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, she said farmers must continue to provide for consumers.
“We can’t just stop,” she said. “We have to keep moving forward so we can sell fresh product and fresh produce.”
To ensure the health and safety of her customers, she washes her hands before she enters the market, wears a face mask and gloves and carries hand sanitizer.
“The customers are being perfectly civil and polite and understanding of the whole social distancing rules,” she said.
Although the experience of farmers markets has changed, she said it is more important than ever to support local businesses.
“Local is the new normal,” she said. “Getting your food from a trusted source is one of the most important things.”
Like the Kenilworth Farmers Market, the Towson Farmers Market also will be open to customers. Beginning Thursdays from June 4 through Nov. 19, from 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Allegheny Avenue, customers will have the option to choose from a variety of locally produced products from more than 35 vendors.
Nancy Hafford, executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has been working to alter the farmers market to make it safe for customers and vendors.
“We have to follow guidelines, people have to wear masks, [include] hand-cleaning stations and limit the amount of vendors until we get adjusted,” she said.
In previous years, an average of 2,500 to 3,000 customers would visit the market on a typical day; however, this year Hafford expects differently.
“I feel like I’m beginning everything brand new,” she said. “It’s not going to be the same."
Farmers markets are especially valuable during this time because they give customers the opportunity to go outside and support local businesses, she said.
“More than anything it is great to be out in the fresh air to get produce that just came out of the farm,” she said.
Despite businesses closures, she said it is important that the community have access to local products.
“[We want] to make it convenient for the community to [access] these kinds of products in a safe manner,” she said.
A third market in the Towson and northern Baltimore County area that plans to open June 3 is the Baltimore County Farmers Market at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. The market will run on Wednesdays through October from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (with special dates and hours during the Maryland State Fair). The market is by the fairgrounds’ main gate at 2200 York Road, near the digital sign.
Suzanne Kassel, baker and owner of The Mondel Broad Bakery in Owings Mills, is one of the vendors preparing to sell products at the Towson Farmers Market. Baking her goods in a rented space, she has sold her products at the market for the past six years.
Since starting her business about 25 years ago, she has relied on local craft shows and farmers markets to get her products to the community.
Despite the changes to the market this year, she said she still plans to participate.
“It’s what I do. It’s my living. This is my job,” she said. “I want to continue because I have people that are waiting season to season to [buy] my goods.”
Some of the differences from previous years, she noted, is that customers will not be able to sample products and there will be further separation between tables. To accommodate her customers, she said she plans to offer them the option to pre-order her products to pick up at the market.
Regardless of the changes, she urges the community to visit.
“It’s important for everyone to come to the farmers market,” she said. “We’re waiting to see you just as much as you are waiting to see us.”