Hudson Valley Farmers’ Markets in the Era of Coronavirus

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Photo by Todd Shapera

With area outdoor farmers' markets set to open for the season this month, area residents are excited to see their favorite farmers and purveyors in person and connect directly to local food sources. But "in person" has taken on a different meaning in 2020 as the worlds adapts to COVID-19. The pandemic has forced Hudson Valley markets to adopt new guidelines like creating distance between stands, increasing sanitary measures, and encouraging pre-orders. Some markets, like the one in Beacon, have gone so far as to make their market pre-order only.

Multiple locations in the Hudson Valley have introduced new rules for people to follow. The Goshen Farmers' Market, run by the Goshen Chamber of Commerce, would typically push for guests to stay awhile during their season, but now they have to do the opposite. "We are still going ahead with our market, but we won't be able to have live music, children's activities, or anything that would encourage anyone to mill around. We've had to make it into an environment where you come in, grab, and go," said Barbara Martinez, executive director of the Goshen Chamber of Commerce. 

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Photo by Todd Shapera

Their market will open on May 22, but like most markets across the Hudson Valley, it will create distance between stands and the guests, provide signs to encourage social distancing, practice meticulous sanitary measures, offer more pre-packaged meals rather than cooking on site, and encouraging a grab-and-go type of experience. 

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Photo by Todd Shapera

The Kingston Farmers' Market, normally held on Wall Street in front of the county courthouse, has moved off the street and into the county courthouse parking lot to encourage social distancing. Like markets across the region, Kingston is following strict health guidelines, and shoppers will be required to wear masks. Further, they are offering sign-ups for a 20-minute shopping trip to decrease the density of guests at one time. Kingston's first outdoor market is on May 9.

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Photo by Todd Shapera

Kingston also has a monthly indoor winter market which is held in the Old Dutch Church. Market Manager Laura Wilson Crimmins says the indoor market didn't get its usual turnout. "Our usual winter market sees about 400 people in traffic per day, and lately we've been seeing about 250 people coming through each day," Crimmins says. 

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Photo by Todd Shapera

However, she mentions that mostly everyone is registering in advance for 20-minute slots and vendors are seeing the same or even greater sales since people fear the human density of grocery stores. "We hope this trend will continue and that the boost farmers are able to get during the spring will help them get through the year," Crimmins says. 

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Photo by Todd Shapera

There is a fear for farmers financial well-being now that COVID-19 is drastically changing some rules for farmers' markets. Andrea Bartolomeo, Rhinebeck Farmers' Market manager says that farmers are looking for creative ways to stay afloat instead; like selling directly to consumers and offering farm pickups. "Farmers are trying to be as flexible and accommodating as possible, especially as many of their wholesale accounts are closed or limited now with restaurants not being open," Bartolomeo says.

Bartolomeo says as much as they help the farmers, the farmers help them. "We work cohesively with them and their traffic helps us and our traffic helps them too."

Though COVID-19 has kept most of us staying at home, there is still a need to grocery shop, and for many, the local market is perfect spot for finding fresh, local provisions. Even if starting turnouts for these farmers' markets aren't as large as usual, Kingston's Crimmins predicts that in the long run they'll be okay. "Sometime in May, or possibly June, the restrictions are going to ease up and there will be a desire for people to come together locally and support local businesses. This might peter out when we start going back to more normal life," she says.