[Posted March 24, 2020]
You can still get farm-fresh in these times of social distancing.
This past week the Hillsdale Farmers Market made a super-quick transition from market stalls and bustling foot traffic to a new system of online ordering and drive-through pick-up. On Saturday, market manager Eamon Molloy wasn’t sure what to expect on Sunday, but by the end of the day it was clear that the new format, although not ideal, was a great success. Customers and vendors alike were pleased, sales were good, and the overwhelming response was, “Let’s do this again next week!”
The Market was technically closed, and sales were limited to advanced online orders. Some customers walked in, unaware of the closure, but Molloy says, “A few people who showed up expecting the usual market set-up were sad that the regular market was closed, but happy when they found out that the market is continuing online.”
The response was so great that the market will start a weekly schedule right away, instead of waiting until the previously-planned April 19 date (although there will be no market on Easter Sunday, April 12, because of traditionally low attendance). While some details are still being worked out (Molloy is looking at improved ordering systems and may add a few stalls back with appropriate social distancing measures), customers will be able to place orders online for pick-up at the market on Sunday, March 28.
Check http://www.hillsdalefarmersmarket.com/ over the next few days for details on how to order and sign up for the market newsletter to get updates to your inbox.
Valeurie Friedman