Written by Emma Roberts, Photos by Brigid Moore
Locals enjoy Forsyth farmers market Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020.
The Forsyth Farmers’ Market continues through Covid-19, but not without challenges. The Market, open every Saturday, changed to accommodate various restrictions placed by local and state governments. Vendors, selling fruits, vegetables, spices and other foods, have spaced their booths out further, and personal interaction is kept to a minimum. Face masks are also worn by nearly all vendors, and customers are highly encouraged to wear one.
The market itself is relatively spread out, extending across the bottom half of Forsyth Park. One such shop that adapted to the restrictions is a family-run Italian booth, selling pizza, cheeses, garlic and various spices. The family has operated at the market for over 10 years.
The vendor, who goes by Chris, said, “We used to have a big cheese wheel that we would cut in front of people, but we can’t do that anymore.” The shop has also increased their use of plastic since the pandemic and they are relying less on free samples.
Another vendor impacted by the pandemic was Taylor Nolan, who sells tortillas. Nolan started working in May, after restrictions had been put in place.
“It’s an outdoor space, nobody is really crammed into each other,” Nolan said. “The main challenge now is that it’s boiling hot.” Chris and Nolan’s comments reflect a thread seen throughout the Farmers’ Market – less interaction. Since the pandemic, there has been a decrease in samples, less working hands-on with food and maintaining quick service. Customers spent a bit of time inside each tent, mainly grabbing what they needed and leaving.
Many companies at the market started using mobile orders and having people pick them up with relative ease.
Mom and daughter enjoy baked goods on a bench at Forsyth Park Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020.
The Forsyth Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the south side of the park.
