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Even though the Martinez Farmers’ Market was gone for only one week as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic, it was clear that many of those on hand for its return Sunday morning were welcoming back an old friend.
“I’m so glad they deemed this ‘essential,'” said Teri Gwin of Crockett, who described herself as a loyal Martinez Farmers’ Market customer. “This is so much safer than the grocery store. I’m glad it’s open again.”
On Sunday morning, in the middle of a downtown that was eerily quiet and almost completely shut down, about 20 vendors set up on Main Street selling fruits, vegetables, meats, tamales, flowers and other items. It was a beehive of activity in a fairly inactive area.
“I’m thrilled they brought this back; this is going to help everybody,” said Pleasant Hill resident Pete Sabine, the owner of Roxx on Main, a Martinez restaurant within the boundaries of the farmers’ market. “This will help bring the town together.”
Micheal Peterson agreed. He is the Martinez market manager with the Concord-based Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association, and had a careful eye for how things were going Sunday. Among his professional observations were that some booth layouts will have to change for next week.
Peterson also had personal observations. A resident of downtown Martinez, he recognizes the market’s value beyond the fresh fruit and vegetables.
“This is one of our strongest community markets, and everybody bands together,” he said.
Though the Martinez market was closed for a week in the name of social distancing, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has since deemed farmers’ markets as essential food sources that may remain open. A number of other weekend markets in the Bay Area, including those in Concord, Pleasanton and Danville, remain “temporarily closed.”
Mike Ceas of Martinez was carefully examining several vendors’ wares Sunday. He said he comes to farmers’ markets because his money goes farther than at a grocery store. A CalFresh client, Ceas said he uses the “Market Match” program in which someone who spends $10 in CalFresh benefits at the farmers’ market gets an extra $10 to spend on fresh produce.
“This a crucial thing for me,” he said. “I save a lot of money with this.”
Peterson pointed out that the booths Sunday were about 10 feet apart from one another, for social distancing purposes. There are also new safety edicts to be followed — there were no free samples being offered by the vendors, and there was no live musician, as there generally has been here. Vendors were wearing gloves. Also, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes were everywhere.
Early during Sunday’s market, people were generally good about keeping 6 feet from others.
Despite all those things, “The crowd’s good, maybe more than I expected,” Peterson said. “It’s winter season, and this is pretty typical for this time of year.”
During the summer, he said, the Martinez Farmers’ Market often has twice the number of vendors.
Vendors on Sunday said they were generally happy with the level of business, and that they were glad Martinez is back on the circuit of markets. Nannette Mori, with Ken’s Top Notch Produce, from Reedley near Fresno, said the Martinez closure was one of only two that affected that company last week.
“We’re happy to be here, and so many people have said, ‘We’re glad you’re here,'” Mori said as she weighed customers’ oranges and grapefruits.
Teri Gwin said she bought produce at the grocery store the week the Martinez Farmers’ Market was closed. She was happy to be back on Main Street Sunday.
“This is safer than the store, she said. “It’s always better to be in the fresh air.”
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the Pleasanton farmers Market is an excellent source of high quality fruits and vegetables. Considering that it operates outside it seems to me to be a safer environment for purchasing these fruits and vegetables. How does the Pleasanton authorities justify keeping this resource closed yet allow the enclosed grocery outlets to remain open?
If someone could post some officers or volunteers to remind people to keep their distance from each other, it should really stay open in my opinion.
Or not Dotard. Maybe we keep them shut. If health experts say keep them shut, that’s what we should do.
Exactly… In reference to the Farmers Market the state experts have spoken. Farmers Markets are deemed as an acceptable outlet for fruits and vegetables and should be allowed to operate. It was the local authorities who decided to suspend services. By the way, these local Pleasanton authorities made the decision with only the best intent in mind. However they are not the experts.
The current configuration of the farmers market does not enable adequate social distancing.
I can’t even get people to stay six feet away when walking Even when I move off of a 10 ft wide sidewalk into the street or landscaping.
What makes anybody think the selfish people will think of others if the farmers market is opened?
And another point – this isn’t really the time of year when there is a variety of fresh produce in season.
Play it safe for the sake of your community – even ‘old guy’ who doesn’t seem to think he has anything to worry about even though he is (I assume due to his name) a person who is at risk.
This isn’t about us as individuals and our personal freedoms, it’s about doing what is right for your community and country to allow this terrible virus run its course as quickly as possible.
The longer people stay in denial, thinking this is hoax or joke or don’t want to give a bit of freedom for a short time for the good of their community, the longer it’s going to take. And more people will DIE.
“Weekend markets” or “Wet markets” not much difference once one vendor has the VIRUS. And before you order your takeout you better call the restaurant and make sure the cook is wearing a mask and gloves, and a hat to catch the sweat.
Gee Karl, you certainly make a lot of accusations / assumptions about someone you don’t know. Please understand that I am not in denial, don’t think this is a hoax, don’t think this a joke and am quite willing to give up my freedom for the better good. During these times we all need some level of guidance whether we agree with them or not. In this case there are those in our state who have been anointed as those who provide this guidance. And those folks have determined that farmers markets are deemed an essential entity tasked with providing food to us all. This fine publication reported that fact in an article a few days ago. Those state experts have made their decision and now it is the responsibility of the local authorities to enforce the rules so we can be well fed and safe at the same time.
Not all my comments were directed at old guy and I noted my assumption.
I trust the Federal Task Force Doctors, mind you not the president, and they are telling at risk people, which by the way I am one, to stay home.
Opening farmers markets goes against their guidance.
The state of CA has the right to go against this and individuals do as well.
Just take a look at NYC to get an idea of “the potential” situation CA could be in a week or more.
Why risk it?
Why put yourself, your family, your friends and your community needlessly at risk?
I went to Safeway and Raley’s at 6am yesterday and there was plenty of fresh produce, including organic.
There were maybe 10 people max in each store and there was no lines at checkout .
So there is a “safe” way for people to get healthy food and also keep themselves and their community safe.
Raley’s and Safeway also offer safe food delivery as another option.
I am offering my more senior neighbors my help if they meed groceries or other help.
Old guy – I’d be happy to help you or any other at risk person in my community…….honestly
It’s situations like this that force us to look at things differently and maybe make uncomfortable adjustments to our lives or lifestyle
To provide one clarification
While I am an at risk person approaching my 61st birthday, it is very low risk for me to go shopping at 6am with nobody else in the store. I otherwise am keeping away from people until it is clear CA is not going to get as serious as NYC
I agree. I wouldn’t go to the farmers marked either way. Just not worth the risk to all of us.