Get in, get out: New COVID-19 policies for farmers’ markets in York Region

Limited vendors, masks required, preorder and curbside pickup new normal for farmers’ markets

Yorkregion.com
June 11, 2020
Amanda Persico

For many, the first sign of summer is the opening of farmers’ markets, lined with farm-fresh produce, delicious baked goods, enticing food vendors, live entertainment and the bustling of people shopping.

This year, it is not business as usual.

While many farmers’ markets are open for the season, there are a number of COVID-19 restrictions in place, from limited shoppers and farm vendors to masks being required and preorder pickups only.

“Markets are to be considered essential services,” said Catherine Clark, executive director of Farmers’ Markets Ontario.

“They are not events. It’s a shop and go (approach).”

Gone are the social gatherings, live music and artisan vendors.

“(Farmers markets) are a social thing; you meet your friends, you’re in a park,” Clark said. “That’s not the way markets are going to operate this year. You’re going to be asked to move along. You gotta get in and you gotta get out.”

But that doesn’t mean fresh produce is not within grasp.

Check out our list of farmers’ markets in York Region and the new COVID-19 measures to ensure shoppers and farmers are safe.

Local farmers markets and on farm markets:

Aurora:

Aurora Farmers Market and Artisan Fair:

Aurora Town Park, 49 Wells St.

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., to Oct. 31.

COVID-19 measures:

One-person shopping; no pets, children or reusable bags; physical distancing practices with a limited number of vendors on site; playground, splash pad and public washrooms remain closed; handwashing stations and portable toilets on site; no artisans or live entertainment.

East Gwillimbury:

East Gwillimbury Farmers Market:

Closed until further notice.

Brooks Farms:

122 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert;

Dairy, eggs, meats, preserves, frozen vegetables and fruit, farm-fresh produce.

Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for online, curbside pickup.

COVID-19 measures:

Curbside pickup for same day orders; online shopping; physical distancing measures in the market place; increased sanitation.

Sharon Creek Farm:

18805 2nd Concession;

Organic eggs, seasonal produce and pantry staples such as honey and flour.

Saturdays for prepaid orders.

COVID-19 measures:

Online farm store; farm closed to visitors.

Thompson Potato Farm:

19228 McCowan Rd., Mount Albert;

Potatoes, carrots, onions, and sweet corn (seasonal).
Daily.

COVID-19 measures:

Self-serve produce section is moved to outside; farm building closed to the public.

Georgina:

Georgina Farmers Market:

Closed until further notice.

Clearwater Farm:

1614 Metro Rd. North

Local food box programs.

COVID-19 measures:

Orders placed online for curbside delivery; farm market closed until further notice.

Elmgrove Organic Collective:

535 Catering Rd.

Eggs and produce.

Daily, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

COVID-19 measures:

Window shopping model where customers can select -- but not touch -- items. Sanitizer provided prior to purchase.

Hamilton Farm:

23806 McCowan Rd.

Cheese, eggs, honey, meat, preserves and in-season produce.

Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment only.

COVID-19 measures:

Online and email orders; scheduled pickups 15 minutes apart; and assigned cooler numbers with only one order in each cooler.

Homestead Orchards:

3961 Old Homestead Rd.

Produce, cheese, cider, in-store bakery.

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment only.

COVID-19 measures:

Online ordering; specific customer pickup times; and one order picked up at time.

Hutchings Farm:

8923 Morning Glory Rd.

Eggs, chicken, lamb, produce.

COVID-19 measures:

Serving customers one at a time; disinfecting after each visit; by appointment only.

Rae Family Farm:

25347 Stoney Batter Rd.

Asparagus, strawberries, in-season produce, beef and lamb.

COVID-19 measures:

By appointment only with contactless payment and pickup options.

Victorian Farm:

25277 Valleyview Dr.; 905-955-1614

Free-range fresh eggs.

COVID-19 measures:

New cartons used with each order; eggs and change left on the porch for pickup; and pickup and drop-off locations marked.

King Township:

Hwy. 9 Farmers Market:

905-775-8605

3890 Hwy. 9, Schomberg

Daily 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Fresh fruits and vegetables and plants.

COVID-19 measures:

physical distancing; limited number of people in the market.

Round the Bend Farms:

16225 Jane St. Kettleby

Turkey products, seasonal fruits and vegetables, specialty pies.

Thursday noon to 5 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

COVID-19 measures:

Physical distancing in the farm market; one shopper in, one shopper out policy; curbside pickup available; farm yard, barn and playground closed until further notice.

Pioneer Brand Honey:

5815 15th Sdrd., Schomberg

Local honey.

COVID-19 measures:

No contact online orders; e-transfer payment options.

Markham:

Main Street Markham Farmers Market:

Closed until further notice.

Unionville Stiver Mill Market:

Closed until further notice.

19th Avenue Farmers Market:

2931 19th Ave.

Vegetable plants and flowers, fresh, local fruits and vegetables, eggs and pantry items.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to noon.

COVID-19 measures:

Online ordering; curbside pickup options with dedicated time slots; farm market is closed to the public.

Reesor’s Farm Market:

10825 9th Line

Fresh produce, take-home entrées, preserves, frozen meats, fresh baked goods.

Pick-your-own strawberries starting end of June.

Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

COVID-19 measures:

Physical distancing measures; credit or debit accepted; hand sanitizer provided prior to entry; online booking and time slots for pick-your-own strawberries.

York Farmers Market:

7509 Yonge St., Thornhill

Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COVID-19 measures:

Non-essential vendors are closed; physical distancing measures; extra sanitary measures.

Newmarket:

Newmarket Farmers Market:

Magna Centre, 800 Mulock Dr., use west entrance off Mulock Dr.

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon.

COVID-19 measures:
No shopping on site; pickup orders only; drive-thru and walk-thru lanes available; one shopper per family; varying pickup times based on last names.

Richmond Hill:

Hillcrest Mall Farmers Market:

Closed until further notice.

Vaughan:

Village Market:

Toronto Waldorf School, 9100 Bathurst St.

Biodynamic and organic farmers market.

Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon.

COVID-19 measures:

Physical distancing; masks required to enter market; preorders from select vendors.

Woodbridge Village Farmers Market:

Closed until further notice.

Whitchurch-Stouffville:

Reesor’s Market and Bakery:

5758 Main St., Stouffville

Fresh baked goods, entrees, salads, deli counter, pantry items and fresh produce.

Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

COVID-19 measures:

Online ordering and curbside pickup available; disposable gloves provided prior to entry; three customers allowed in the store at a time; one shopper per household; and between 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. is for seniors and others with vulnerabilities.

Stouffville Farmers Market:

Lebovic Centre for Arts and Entertainment -- Nineteen on the Park, 19 Civic Centre Dr., Stouffville

June 27 to Oct. 3

Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

COVID-19 measures:

Preorders available online; one shopper per family; masks required.

Strawberry Creek Farm:

17471 Woodbine Ave., entrance off Davis Drive.

Opening soon.

COVID-19 measures:

physical distancing; limiting number of customers for pick-your-own strawberries; spacing and signage in the fields.

Simpson Family Farms:

15152 Hwy. 48.

Potatoes, farm fresh boxes.

Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

COVID-19 measures:

Curbside pickup only; farm store is closed to the public.