March 21, 2020

There will be a pared-down, no-frills outdoor farmer's market in the commuter lot across from the train station in Hastings from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, March 21st.

The Department of Agriculture has stated that outdoor markets are an essential part of the food chain and remain a safe option for access to fresh food at a time when we really need it. Please know this will not be your typical farmer's market experience. We are taking robust measures to eliminate close contact between shoppers, and between shoppers and vendors. There will be just one entrance to the market. In the interest of eliminating any crowds and at the behest of the Village, we will only be allowing a few shoppers in at a time from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in 20-minute intervals, with an additional half-hour from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. reserved for the elderly and/or immuno-compromised. Please only come to the market during your designated time slot. Systems are in place (they involve volunteers with tape measures and chalk!) so that if a short line of shoppers forms at the entrance, they will be directed to stand a safe six-feet apart.

Please sign up for a shopping time slot here

Again, from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. we are opening the market EARLY for shoppers who are elderly or immunocompromised. You must still sign up if you plan to shop during the 8:30 to 9 a.m. time slot. Please do not worry if you get a later time slot. We have twice as much produce and bread as last week. There should be enough for everyone.

Here are some of the other measures we are taking to ensure your shopping experience is as safe and sanitary as possible:

1. Vendors will be under tents spaced at least 20 feet apart.
2. Shoppers will not be allowed to touch any produce (sorry, you can't pick your own apples or onions) and most items will be pre-bagged.
3. Prices will be rounded up/down to the nearest dollar to avoid the exchange of coins.
4. No sampling, period.
5. As much as we hate to say it, during this crisis, we are discouraging the use of reusable produce bags and are encouraging single-use plastic bags.
6. Vendors handling non-frozen foods, or foods that are not packaged or bottled are required to have a second pair of hands at their stall to handle cash/credit card transactions.
7. Vendors will be wearing gloves and using hand sanitizer. 8. We thank Jessica Mullins of Found Herbal for her generous donation of hand sanitizer to the market.

There will be no coffee and no prepared food to eat on the spot as the objective here is to shop, not socialize. This goes against the grain of the Hastings Farmer's Market we all know and love, but we must follow these rules in order to stay open and keep bringing you local fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and cheese; and to keep our local farmers and food producers afloat.

Especially Important
We have asked our vendors to stay home if they feel unwell and we ask the same of you, our shoppers. If you are feeling the least bit sick, please stay home and pass your shopping list to a friend (digitally or via text is advised). So many of our residents are stepping up and offering a lending hand. Take advantage of their generosity. We ask that only one member of your family come to shop and that you keep dogs at home.

Also, we ask that you only buy what you need and to leave some for those who shop after you. If you have not downloaded the Venmo app, now would be a good time to do so to speed up transactions and minimize the handling of cash.

The following vendors are able to accept pre-orders to shorten your time at the market. Next to the vendor's name is the BEST way to reach them:

Anthi’s Greek Specialties
anthisgreekfood@gmail.com
917.560.1494

Bambino Ravioli Pastificio
info@bambinoravioli.com

Bien Cuit
973.393.4200 (call/text Joey)

Cooperstown Cheese Company
cheznous98@hotmail.com
347.385.9641 (text)

diRiso Risotto Balls
info@diRisoNewYork.com
914.943.9608

Dr. Pickle
joshnadel5757@gmail.com

Hive Juice Lab
914.768.3532 (text)

Hudson River Apiaries
hudsonhoney@gmail.com

La Petite Occasion
lapetiteoccasion@icloud.com
917.213.5260

Letterbox Farm Collective
http://www.letterboxfarm.com/order

Meredith's Bread
kingbaker1@aol.com