(Posted June 11, 2020)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Farmers markets throughout Madison County are already open or plan to open soon. Some are still working out details and logistics related to operating under coronavirus (COVID-19) safety guidelines.
West Jefferson Farmers Market
Opening day for the West Jefferson Farmers Market is June 20. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through mid-October. Vendors set up in the parking lot at Pat’s Pizza & Pub, 55 E. Main St.
Due to the pandemic, vendors and customers must follow local and state social distancing protocols, but otherwise the market will operate as it has in the past.
“We’re just glad we’re going to be able to do it,” said Terry Lambert who co-organizes the market with Nola Lambert and Sherry Hook.
Goods for sale range from vegetables and fruits to cookies, pies, sausage, baked goods, jewelry and crafts.
Lambert said the market is considering the idea of a drive-through service for customers who want to limit their exposure.
Also, it’s likely that a breakfast food truck will set up at the market periodically through the season.
The cost for a vendor space is $5 per week or $50 for the season. Spaces measure roughly 10×10 feet. To reserve a space or for more information, call Terry Lambert at (740) 837-0131.
Procter Store
Last year, the Procter Conference Center and Downtown London Association partnered to put on a weekly farmers market on the Madison County Courthouse lawn in London. Due to low business volume, the market was scrapped for this year.
However, the Procter Center is operating the Procter Store, an indoor farmers market, at 119 S. Main St., London. Hours are 12 to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The store opened for the season on May 21.
“We’ve been really busy. It’s been a good year so far,” said Amy Boyd, Procter Center executive director.
The store stocks products from the Procter Center’s farm and other area growers, farmers, and vendors. Offerings include fresh vegetables, milk, chicken, pork, beef, lamb, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, candies, ground coffee, jewelry, candles, home decor, and more.
As for COVID-19 safety measures, the store has installed a partition at the checkout, follows cleaning protocols, and limits the number of customers in the store at one time. Social distancing is required. It is suggested that customers wear masks.
For more information, visit “Procter Store” on Facebook.
Plain City Farmers Market
The Plain City Farmers Market is on track to take place this year, but organizers are waiting to set a start date until they lock down a location.
In the past, the market was located at the corner of Route 161 (Main Street) and North Chillicothe Street.
“Being in the center of town, that location is not going to work,” said Kathy Saxour, who co-chairs the market with Veronica Hallman. “There’s just no way to do crowd control there.”
Saxour and Hallman are looking at two different sites. Wherever the market ends up, the idea is to create one entrance and one exit.
“Ideally, we want only so many people in at a time,” Saxour said.
Hand washing stations, hand sanitizer, and social distancing are all part of the plan.
The goal is to have a site selected in time for the market to open in early July, Saxour said. The market’s day and time–Thursdays from 4:30 to 7 p.m.–will remain the same as past years. The season will run through the first week of October.
The market is sponsored by the Uptown Plain City Organization. For details or to reserve a vendor space, visit “Plain City Farmers Market” on Facebook. Vendor spaces are $5 per week or $30 for the season.
Madison County Farmers Market
The Madison County Farmers Market, coordinated by the Madison County Producers Association, hopes to open the first weekend in July.
Organizers are working with Madison County Public Health to set guidelines and procedures that meet safety standards related to COVID-19.
Once up and running, the market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays in front of Tractor Supply Center, 300 Lafayette St., London.
“We’re thinking of having the first hour being open just for senior citizens,” said Seth Osborne, association president.
All of the market’s vendors are Madison County residents who grow their produce and make their goods in the county. Customers can find all sorts of vegetables, baked goods, and crafts for sale. The market has been in operation for approximately 20 years.
The cost for a vendor space is $10 per week or $30 for the season. Anyone who signs up for the season receives a one-year membership in the association, which comes with voting privileges.
For a vendor application or more information, call Seth Osborne at (614) 989-9091.
Visit “London Ohio Farmers’ Market” on Facebook for updates.
