Brookline Farmers Market To Open Again June 4, New Rules

BROOKLINE, MA — Spring in Brookline means sunshine, fresh local produce and the start of the Brookline Farmers Market on Thursdays. But with fear about the spread of the coronavirus this year, it was unclear what it might mean for the seasonal market in Center Street West parking lot in Coolidge Corner —until now.

The market will go on, and organizers hope residents will visit and support the local farms and businesses there. On Tuesday night the select board —satisfied with amended rules surrounding how the market will work including limiting the number of vendors and shoppers, only allowing one shopper to step up to a vendor at a time and the wearing of masks— approved the opening.

The market will be open from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. beginning Thursday, June 4, though mid November on Thursdays, unless conditions change.

When you arrive, volunteers and staff will review the new market rules with you before you enter, including a no touch policy, a hand washing station and no groups or couples permitted. You'll notice booth set up and the layout of the market will look a bit different, designed this year to keep everyone safely distanced from one another. Also, the market season will start with a smaller number of vendors than past years in an effort to create a space that allows for distancing.

You will not be able to touch anything until you have paid for it, so be prepared to clearly point at what you want to buy.

Market organizers recommend heading to the Brookline Farmers Market website to find out which vendors will be on hand, and to familiarize yourself with the products you are interested in so you can shop quickly at the market or pre-order and pre-pay.

"The more efficient you can make your trip, the more people will be able to access the market overall," Abe Faber, director of the market said.

The gentle reopening comes as a number of experts have said that the drop in coronavirus cases and deaths are more reflective of the successful social distancing measures that have been taken during the past few months rather than a reduction of the prevalence of the virus. Specialists have said there may be more spikes, or a “second wave” as the nation reopens.

"Therefore, we at the Brookline Farmers’ Market plan to err on the side of caution as we make decisions as the season goes on about when to allow things to 'return to normal' at the Market," said Faber.

Market officials have been working under the guidance of the Brookline Department of Health and under state regulations. Vendors have had to reinvent how they bring their product to market, how they are displayed and sold.

"Just like all businesses in Brookline and beyond, we are figuring out all these new rules and guidelines as we go," said Faber. "In addition to bringing your mask to the Market, please bring your patience and best positive attitude."

Beginning June 4 these vendors will be at the Market:

• Assawaga Farm
• Boston Smoked Fish Company, LLC
• Clear Flour Bakery
• Monumental Market
• Dick’s Market Garden
• Golden Rule Honey
• Habibi Gourmet Food
• Kimball Fruit Farm
• Langwater Farm
• Luluna Kombucha
• Monumental Market (coffee & baked goods)
• Myco Terra Farm
• Nicewicz Family Farm (starts July 9th)
• Red's Best Fish Company / Fish Lady
• Smith's Country Cheese (Catlin Creamery)
• Stillman Quality Meats
• Stillman's Farm
• Valicenti Pasta Farm

For those who use SNAP, or EBT and HIP:

• SNAP cards will be accepted as usual at the info booth in exchange for tokens to be used at all vendors. Reminder: SNAP purchases made with the tokens don't earn HIP Benefits
• There is no SNAP match this year.
• There are five vendors that accept your SNAP cards at their booths and offer HIP Benefits: Dick’s Market Garden - Stillman’s Farm - Kimball Fruit Farm - Mycoterra Farm - Nicewicz Farm.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, opinion piece.