Farmers market

Spring in 2020 looks quite different from a year ago. Farming weather has been cold and dry in contrast to the wet spring of 2019. It’s been great to stretch our muscles in the garden sooner than usual, but some early crops suffered during the frosty nights. And we’re all adapting to the medical and social challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fortunately, many important things remain the same. Lettuce and rhubarb shrug off the cold, peas stretch toward the sky, garlic greens emerge from winter mulch, and future laying hens race around the pasture, exploring their new world. Carlton County Farmers Market bakers, growers, preservers and artisans will be here to provide you with luscious breads and baked goods, fresh-picked fruits and vegetables, pastured meat and eggs, scrumptious preserves and heart-gladdening fine crafts.

We will open Saturday, June 6 in Cloquet, running 9 a.m. to noon in front of Premiere Theatres, 904 Hwy. 33 S. The Carlton market will open Tuesday, June 16, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Four Seasons Sports Complex and Event Center, 90 West Chestnut.

Both markets will look a little different because of social distancing protocols. We are regulated by the State of Minnesota through the agriculture and health departments and guided by the Minnesota Farmers Market Association. All these agencies have provided tremendous assistance as we developed plans to keep us all healthy at the market.

Here is a guide on how to shop at the farmers market under new guidelines:

• Stay home if you are sick or have a cough or fever.

• Physical distancing: Vendors will spread out to allow plenty of room for physical distancing at the market. Please stay 6 feet apart from other customers when you are shopping and standing in line.

• Pre-orders and pickup: If you feel more comfortable ordering for pickup at the market, you can contact our vendors through the CCFM website, http://www.carltoncountyfarmersmarket.com. This is also a good way to avoid the 9 a.m. “rush hour” in Cloquet. If you are concerned that you will miss out on popular items that sell out early, such as Ken Jorgenson’s asparagus, Elizabeth Naglak’s cranberry wild rice bread or Mike Little’s vegetable transplants, contact them beforehand to reserve an order.

• Shop alone and shop efficiently: The market is usually a wonderful place to gather and chat with vendors and friends on a sunny day. During the pandemic, we ask that you shop alone and in a timely way so that more people can use the market and provide the necessary physical distance. We know that you may need to bring your little ones — that’s fine.

• Don’t touch the products: We borrowed a simple but effective idea from the St. Paul Farmers Market. An extra table will be set up in front of a vendor’s stall to ensure physical distancing and serve as a clean product and payment “transfer table.” Only the vendor will handle the items you choose.

• Hygiene: Handwashing stations will be provided at both markets. Our vendors are already trained to prevent the spread of illness for baked and canned goods and produce. We are increasing our cleaning and sanitation routines during the pandemic.

• Wear a mask: This is encouraged but not required. There are a lot of talented sewers in the neighborhood who are making comfortable, colorful masks. Rock your favorite.

• Canceled programs and events: We have canceled Market Mouse, drawings, sampling, and other ancillary events. We know that kids love to look for Market Mouse. Let’s just say the mouse has gone on vacation for a while.

• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and cards and Market Bucks are suspended. Our application process for the program was stymied by the pandemic. We are working to bring it back, but it might not happen this season. If you know someone who is SNAP-eligible, ask them to talk to a market manager. We have other options available.

We care about you. We love owning small businesses, working as creative entrepreneurs, and producing fresh, delicious local foods, body care items and crafts. We also enjoy the friendliness of a community space where we can talk directly to the people who buy our goods. The social part of the market experience will change a little this year but, by doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and bringing you our products in a safe way, we want to show you that our love and care endures and can adapt to challenging times.

Visit us on Facebook for updates and order for pickup through our website at http://www.carltoncountyfarmersmarket.com. Or email us at [email protected].

Gail Olson of Cloquet is a co-manager of the Carlton County Farmers Market. She can be reached at 218-879-4142. The other co-manager is Ken Jorgenson in Carlton, 218-384-4202.