Farmers market is an outdoor shopping oasis

Every Saturday in Cloquet farmers and gardeners come together to provide fresh vegetables and goods from their homes and smaller farms. Even in the midst of a pandemic, farmers markets, modified for physical distancing, are a small joy in the sometimes stifling state of things. As a bonus, the county market has another location in Carlton that is open Tuesdays.

Booths are spread out and customers can freely move around in the outdoor space. Signs remind people to be aware of physical distancing and not inviting a spread of Covid-19.

"It's safe for customers because of how closely we follow the guidelines given to us by the Minnesota Farmers Market Organization," coordinator Gail Olson said.

Those guidelines include sanitization stations for visitors and vendors, mandatory masks, and distanced booths.

The Carlton County Farmers market in Cloquet opens at 9 a.m. Saturdays until Oct. 17 in the Premiere Theatres parking lot off Minnesota Highway 33. The market in Carlton takes place 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays in the parking lot of the Four Seasons Sports Complex.

Photos and text by Caleb Swanson

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