April 2, 2020
We have made the difficult decision to keep the Outdoor Farmers’ Market closed for a prolonged period of time. Our hope is to re-open the Farmers’ Market on May 2nd, the first Saturday of the month.
We are greatly saddened by this decision, as we know this affects many who depend on the Farmers’ Market for essential goods, as well as the hard-working farmers and passionate small-business owners who bring their product to our community through the Farmers’ Market. However, we are confident this is the best way we can protect our vendors, our customers, and our larger community.
We agree that our vendors provide essential goods; however, we have decided that the nature of the Farmers’ Market does not allow for proper safety protocols. One of our favourite parts of the Farmers’ Market is that we are allowed the opportunity to socialize as a community while supporting local. At this time, we must find alternative methods to do so, and there are many!
Many of our wonderful vendors are already bringing their product to the community in alternative ways, such as online ordering, no-contact deliveries, pick-up, and more. We continue to support our vendors as they follow these routes. Please stay tuned to our website, our newsletters, and especially our social media including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, to see which vendors are open for business!
We hope to find everyone safe and healthy when we re-open and are looking forward to once again celebrating local at the Farmers’ Market where you can come meet your farmers, the makers, and our community!
Each week, I will be adding an updated list of our farmers’ market vendors who have created alternative measures for you to access their products. Today’s list can be found below! It is very important at this time, as always, to support local. Please read this post on the best ways to do so!
Morsels: Please contact Lorraine through email or phone to place an order. You are welcome to pick up or ask for delivery! lorraine.jaikaran@sympatico.ca // 519-642-2391
Helm Baked: Helm Baked are doing doorstep deliveries on weekends! Orders need to be in by Thursday evening for delivery on Saturday. See today’s order menu here. hello@helmbaked.com
Lynch Maple Farms: The Lynch Family has plenty of Maple Syrup on hand at their Farm! Please call them first to make pick-up arrangements. 519-471-7310
Blanbrook Bison Farm: The farm is open by appointment. Contact them in advance to place your bison meat order and pay by e-transfer when possible. blanbrook@quadro.net
Pillitteri Estates Winery: Terry still has access to VQA wine, so contact her with any requests! charmedforpets@yahoo.ca
Dave’s Beef & Lamb: Contact Dave to place an order or arrange a pick-up or delivery! 519-666-0626 // dmdekay@isp.ca
Harvest Moon Trade Co.: Stay tuned here and to their social media as they develop an online order form so you can get delicious preserves, jams, and jellies!
Greystead Gardens: The farm has set up an online ordering platform! If you are uncomfortable using this site or experience any glitches, contact them through email or phone. 519-872-6096 // greysteadgardens@gmail.com
Sungold Market Garden: The farm is working on creating an online ordering platform. Stay tuned here and to their social media for updates on accessing fresh produce!
The Whole Grain Hearth: Their online ordering system is live! Check it out here.
The Hot Sauce Co.: Their online store is coming soon! Head to their website to contact them for ordering info.
Don’t see your favourite vendor’s information here? Head to their social media accounts and reach out directly.
The Covent Garden Market has re-opened as of Wednesday, April 1st.
It is considered an essential service by the Provincial Government and we hope we can serve the needs of our customers and the Downtown residences.
The safety of our customers, tenants and community is our number one priority and we have implemented the following precautious measures:
– The entire building has been completely sanitized and cleaned from top to bottom.
– There will be no seating or tables out for people to congregate and we will become a take-out and grocery operation only.
– The King Street entrance will be the ONLY entrance available for entrance and exit. At this entrance, there will be Security posted and screening customers, asking them to please be respectful of the requested social distancing. We will also be keeping track of the number of customers coming in and out to ensure we are keeping to the safe recommended number of patrons in the building at one time.
– During this time, we will have the following reduced hours: Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday we will be CLOSED so we can clean and sanitize the building thoroughly and effectively on a weekly basis.
Again, I just would like to say a big thank you to this amazing community during this very difficult and trying time. You all have showed an immense amount of support for this little community of ours, from all of us here, thank you!💛
