Pandemic or not, farmers market begins its 40th season
BONNERS FERRY— The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market kicked off its 40th season on Saturday, April 25, with 10 vendors and a handful of residents braving the weather.
According to market vendor Derek Blumenschein, the market can accommodate up to 40 vendors’ booths.
Blumenschein, owner of Sweet Heat, a company that makes pepper-infused jellies and preserves, was present with a nice selection of products.
“It is what it is, I guess,” said Blumenschein, “People seem to be doing the social distancing thing and understanding that they can’t touch items.”
Part of the rules that the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market board put into place for opening day concerns patrons being able to touch items for sale. Each vendor must ensure that customers are not allowed to handle products for sale and that they would need to ask for assistance from vendors garbed with gloves and masks.
“I think a lot of people understand,” said Blumenschein, “I think a lot of people are just happy to get out and pick up some stuff that they haven’t been able to get since last year’s [Farmers Market].”
Local produce producer and regular farmers market vendor, Edward Newcomb of Cloud Eleven Mountain Farms, hopes for a lifting of the vendor restrictions.
Organic producer and Bonners Ferry Farmers Market icon, Marsha Semar, is rarely absent at the market.
“Marsha didn’t show up, she’s worried about it,” Newcomb said, “We are trying to be safe.”
The Cloud Eleven Mountain Farms booth was set back a little, with vegetable items away from the customer reach. The husband and wife team have divided up the customer service whereas Newcomb handles the produce and bagging of items and his wife only concerns herself with the payment and money exchange.
Under Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s emergency declaration, farmers markets are considered an essential business.
The proposed changes to the farmers market will stay in effect until Little’s mandates are lifted. While this order is in effect, only vendors of food, produce, and household cleaning supplies such as soap will be allowed to participate. Shoppers will need to enter the market at the south end closest to Kootenai Street, said Kate Painter, University of Idaho agriculture extension educator. A hand washing station will be located near this entrance, and everyone will be encouraged to wash their hands upon entering the market.
Other “best practices for farmers markets,” as recommended by the Idaho Farmers Market Association, that will be implemented include limiting the total number of shoppers at any one time if social distancing is compromised. Shoppers will not be allowed to handle the produce, and should stay six feet away from other shoppers. Vendors will need to prepackage their goods as much as possible. Since money is often contaminated, vendors will need to wear gloves or wash their hands after handling money, or have different individuals handling the produce and the money. If there is sufficient demand, a curbside pickup or drive through pickup will be created.
The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market is one of the oldest markets in Idaho. On June 6, the market will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special market day devoted to this event. Other special market days include a Seed Swap on May 2, Flowers for Mom on May 9, Kids’ Day on June 27, a Flower Faire on July 25, the Garlic Festival on Aug. 22, a Harvest Party on Sept. 19, and Customer Appreciation on the last market day, which is Oct. 3. The Holiday Market will take place at the Bonners Ferry Middle School on Nov. 21.
The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market is open on Saturdays, from April through September this year, and located at the Visitors Center parking lot. More information may be found at bonnersferry farmersmarket.org or by calling 208-597-2927.
