The Farmers Market will be 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday on North Market St. adjacent the Heritage Center of Clark County and near COhatch The Market.
Vendors include Bakers Vegetable Market, On the Rise, Mama Nola’s Pies, Foodie Bob’s, Le Torte Dolci, Robin’s Nest Granola, Sissa’s Sweet Thangs, Mitch’s Sweet Treats, Bank Barn Meats, Pencil Bison Ranch, Tina’s Sweet Treats, Universal Hagar’s Spiritual Church, Dugan Road Creamery, Reaver Farm & Orchard, Annabelle’s Blooms, Familiar Books, Designs by Carla, The Paper Moon & Co. and TSH Woodworking.
While many area events and series were canceled due to health precautions, the Farmers Market was deemed an essential business allowing vendors to begin selling items in early June.
“Overall the market was extremely successful even considering the covid situation,” Sloan said.
She explained that the market started with 12 vendors selling essential items like groceries and expanded to over 20 vendors selling essential and non-essential items.
“The patience and flexibility that we’ve had from our customers and vendors has been amazing," Sloan said.
To limit the possible exposure to COVID-19, vendors were spaced between 6 and 10 feet apart, customers were encouraged to not linger and to only touch items that they were buying, employees, volunteers and staff were required to wear masks and many vendors changed their displays to items that could easily be sanitized, she explained.
“We asked people to not linger as much at the market, but it hasn’t slowed down shoppers at all," Sloan said. "We’ve had some (long-time) vendors say they’ve had their best weeks, best sales this year.”
She added that community sponsorship has “doubled, if not tripled this year," - allowing the Farmers Market to move forward with increased PPE for staff and shoppers. Mercy Health - Springfield was their presenting sponsor and Fellowship Christian Church was their supporting sponsor for 2020.
Sloan said the Farmers Market not only helps the farmers, producers and artisans sell their products, but it’s a great place for residents to shop local.
“It’s one place in our community where you have people from all walks of life coming together in the feel of a community," Sloan said.
For more information, search for Springfield Farmers Market on Facebook.
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