Troy Waterfront Farmers Market Outdoor Debut 2020
By Amy Modesti
Welcome back to the 2020 outdoor Troy Waterfront Farmers Market. The return of the popular Saturday event brought some much needed normalcy into resident’s lives as they ventured out to the parking lot of Russell Sage College to purchase their food and beverages on Saturday, May 16.
Unlike its previous locations at both the Troy Atrium and River Street, the updated farmers market took place in the parking lot of the College. Twenty-five vendors, each keeping social distancing orders in check, took part in the market.
No dogs (excluding service dogs) were allowed on site. The live music and the Troy Makers Market have been taken out completely. Before entering the site residents must go onto the TWFM website to sign up for a time slot in advance before gaining access into the market. Customers must use that time slot to purchase their essentials. If patrons do not sign up for a time slot, they must wait until there is an available opportunity.
Event organizers are keeping track of the number of attendees who are in the market space at its main entrance and exit. Only fifty patrons can enter the site at a time. To keep up with the CDC guidelines, attendees and vendors must wear a mask or facial covering and take part in social distancing. Hand sanitizer, donated by Harvest Spirits L.L.C. of Valatie, was given to all twenty-five vendors and an on-site location was provided to attendees to use to clean their hands along the market pathway. Food sampling and cooking on site was not allowed.
Many of the area vendors were excited to be involved in Saturday’s farmers market. They missed their customers and felt that the event organizers did a great job in keeping the flow of people going in and out of the market.
“We’re very happy to be back at the market. It’s not too dense with the crowd,” said Zach, owner of Laughing Earth Farms in Cropseyville. Zach and his assistant, Ari from St. Louis, Missouri, have been taking the necessary precautions both at their booth and at the farm stand. Zach takes his co-worker’s temperatures at the farm before entering work. Customers can order and pay for their food and produce online on their website while self service is happening at the farm. With their plant sales beginning within the week of the farmers market, the farm has seen its fair share of customers. Only one to two people/family at a time are allowed on the farm site. Like most local businesses in the face of the pandemic, their business has seen its fair share of ups and downs and they remain hopeful for the best for both their business and the farmers market.
“It’s great to be back. We miss our customers” said Erin, a worker from the Saratoga Peanut Butter Company. Erin praised the event organizers for doing a great job in keeping the flow of customers controlled as they venture to the grounds to make their purchases and pick-ups. Normally, 4-6 people would be at their booth at a time. Only one person is now allowed in their booth. This is Erin’s second season taking part in the farmers market and it is her favorite.
Matthew Leon of Lovin’ Mama Farm in Amsterdam has been keeping busy with his business and things have been okay for them. When the epidemic began, Leon started an online store immediately that went well as far as producing sales is concerned. Customers can still attend the market to purchase Leon’s produce at his booth or at a drop off point with another Troy business, Superior Merchandise Company.
The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is more manageable and feels like a different market. Being in a smaller space, it is safe for customers and vendors to interact with each other and make personal connections that will benefit them over time. These significant changes had to be made to meet the CDC guidelines and for the safety of both customers, vendors and event organizers.
Visit the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market website to register for a time slot to shop at the market and read the guidelines and regulations prior to shopping. The farmers market is open Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.