The Wilmot Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday, June 27, from 9 AM to noon. The market plans to continue every Saturday through September with COVID guidelines in place to protect customers, vendors, and the community. It will be a market unlike any other before. The socializing and entertainment that characterize the Wilmot Town Green at 9 Kearsarge Valley Road has been axed. 

Out of necessity, there will be no music, no kids’ activities, and no education tent. If at all possible, one member of the family should be the shopper, and pets should not be brought. 

The Wilmot Farmers Market board, with the support of the Wilmot town selectman, are in charge of having the market operate safely and are prepared to enforce the guidelines set forth for all farmers markets. The community is being asked to spread the news that the market is opening, as well as the new guidelines they will find.

For at-risk individuals, or those who do not want to wait in vendor lines, there will be options for ordering and picking up at the market’s welcome tent, staffed by the Merrimack County Conservation District. Furthermore, there will be some vendors who will not be at the market; however, their items will be available by order. Items will be ordered from vendors and either paid for in advance or by individual checks to vendors at pickup. SNAP benefits with Granite State Market Match and the Veteran’s Program will continue. Information on these programs and pickups will be soon be added to the website at WilmotFarmersMarket.com.

This season’s downsized number of vendors allows tents to be at least ten feet apart, with ample room for six-foot social distancing and marked waiting lines at vendor spaces. There will be no touching or contact with products. Vendors have been told to prepackage items whenever possible. Foods, including breakfast and any samples, are not allowed to be eaten on the Town Green. As always, customers are reminded to wash their produce thoroughly.

Customer traffic will be one way, with all travel to the right with the gazebo at the center of the hub and the vendors as the rim of the wheel. The entrance and exit will be from the paved parking lot of the Wilmot Town Offices. As markets continue, alternative entrances will be added if feasible.

As people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus, everyone needs to be masked. If you do not have one, one will be provided. A hand washing station will be set up beside the town offices. Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance, exit, and all tents.

Do your best not to gather and socialize. While we know this is difficult, being able to open the market and provide fresh, nutrient rich, local foods depends on all of us following these guidelines.

There are a lot of changes, and no one likes them. There are a lot of “new normal” lifestyle habits with which we are all learning to cope.

During this time of uncertainty, it is so very important to connect with those that grow your food. The committed core of local farms and artisans that make up your Wilmot Farmers Market vendors are looking forward to seeing you and serving you. That hasn’t changed!  For more information, call Donna at 768-5579.