Penny Peavler

COVID-19 brings with it many challenges. At the Market, we are constrained by space. In order to keep everyone healthy through social distancing, booths are spread out. Many of our long-time vendors are not participating right now due to space constraints or other COVID-19 restrictions. We want to keep you up to date on the status of regular vendors and alternates you will not find currently at the market. We will update this list as information becomes available.

Highland Moor, a plant propagation and cut-stem nursery in Midway, Kentucky is offering delivery in Louisville. Visit http://highlandmoor.com/ to learn about their offerings and email info@highlandmoor.com to order. Kristine McNeil will be happy to assist you. They’ve been long-time vendors at the market and if you need bushes, and shrubs or cut stems, please reach out to them.

Bluegrass Bowls is the business of wood-turner, John Lander, whose parents, Art & Bonnie Lander, are original vendors at the market through their Holy Branch Farm in Bethlehem, KY. Visit https://www.bluegrassbowls.com/ for convenient ordering and shipping options.

Foxhollow Farm is offering CSA subscriptions and their farm store has open hours. Visit their website to learn about their offerings. https://foxhollow.com/

Gallrein Farms, Blueberries of Daviess County, and Gypsy Ridge Farm will be back when more produce is ready and in season. Watch our news for details.

Lexington Pasta will be back later in the season.

We don’t have any information on when foods prepared on site will again be permitted at the Market. Please stay tuned for more information.

Other craft vendors are permitted to operate and we are committed to providing space for returning vendors as soon as we are able.

Broadway Clay, and potter, Les Greeman, are sitting this market year out. If you’d like one of Les’ pieces, please call him at Broadway Clay in Frankfort or visit their online store. https://www.broadwayclay.com/

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and Commissioner Ryan Quarles, provided clear guidance for market managers operating during the COVID-19 epidemic. This includes on-site hand and surface sanitation, proper money transaction procedures, and discontinuing sampling and cooking demonstrations. For staff handling money and vouchers, sanitary gloves and hand sanitizer are required. We implemented a limited entry procedure to ensure we can maintain appropriate social distances.

Vendors and volunteers are asked to wear cloth face coverings as recommended by the CDC.

Our all-volunteer Market Committee made the decision to require customers to wear masks as well. This helps keep vendors, volunteers, and customers safe. We respect that not everyone wants to wear a mask, however, we require it.

The Market Committee created a convenient “no contact” drive-thru experience for those who don’t want to walk the market. This is a great option for those who prefer not to wear a mask.

Our goal is to keep everyone safe, and keep the market open for the farmers who depend on it. We appreciate all who have shopped the market these past two weeks and followed the rules we set to ensure we can operate safely.

Commissioner Quarles offered this advice in his training to market managers, “All of these practices are only useful if they are followed. This may be uncomfortable but please remember, we are trying to keep people safe, and keep the market open.”

Thank you for shopping the market! Our farmers appreciate your business.

Per Executive Order, shopping at the market 1 person per household means just that. 1 person per household at a time. No groups permitted. This season farmers markets are transitioning from community gathering spaces to in and out markets. We welcome you to shop but even 2 person groups are not permitted.

Gov. Andy Beshear issued an executive order on April 8 to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state. Beshear said as essential businesses remain open, such as grocery and drug stores, only one person per household should be visiting them at at time. For example, that would mean spouses should not be shopping together. On how this will be enforced, Beshear asked the businesses to use good judgement.

This is not a family event due to COVID-19 and we discourage you from bringing children to the market at this time. There are some exceptions. If an adult needs to go shopping but there is someone dependent on them, such as a young child or someone with disabilities, that can’t rely on someone else, they may accompany.

We hope to return to regular operations soon.

Read a news story about what it means here. https://www.wlky.com/article/executive-order-1-household-member-at-a-time-allowed-inside-ky-businesses/32086452

THANK YOU.

Beginning May 9 the market will offer drive-up pick-up for pre-orders. Visit your favorite farm or vendor’s pre-order site here, place your order by Friday at noon. Write your name and the name of the farm or vendor from which you placed your order on a piece of paper. Arrive at the market on Saturday.

The Drive-Thru Pick-Up Tent is most easily accessed from Browns Lane by turning onto Church Way. Signs at the parking lot will direct you.

Volunteers will direct drivers to pull up to the tent. Hold-Up a piece of paper with your name and the name of the farm or vendor. You will then be directed to a parking space to await your order. A volunteer runner will retrieve your order from the farm and place it in your car. Please open your trunk so the runner may place the order there.