One of the most successful and most loved Get Healthy DeSoto programs is the DeSoto Farmers’ Market. Since it started, it has been a wonderful place to shop for local produce, visit with neighbors, learn about preserving food, and share a cup of coffee and cookie with a friend.

The market will open for the season on May 16, 2020, pending approval by the Jefferson County Health Department of our plan to keep vendors, customers, and volunteers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a bit different from our original intent to open on April 25th with the normal hoopla and fanfare of a Tractor Parade and plant sale. These changes are necessary though to keep our community safe.

Since many of our vendors are part of the food supply, they are considered “essential”!

We certainly think of all our vendors as being essential because each of them bring so much knowledge and a sense of community to our market. However, not all vendors will be present when the market opens in May. Only produce, food, and some plant vendors will be allowed to be at the market. You’ll still be able to pick up your lettuce, radishes, broccoli, and (keep your fingers crossed) asparagus. Vendors with food items, such as breads, pies, and jam will also be allowed. Our honey vendors will certainly be invited, and you’ll be able to pick up your beef, pork, turkey, and chicken as well. You’ll also be able to pick up your tomato and pepper plants, microgreens, and herb plants.

Our artisans and crafters will be absent for the first part of our market season. This means you’ll miss out on the handpainted signs, wooden benches, aprons, potholders, crocheted hats, paintings, jewelry, and carved spoons. (I love those carved spoons!)

We know that Mother’s Day is quickly approaching, and if there is something in particular that you missed out on last year that will be missing from the market, we are happy to put you into contact with the vendor. However, until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, these vendors will be missed from the market.

Vendors aren’t the only thing that will be different…

We’ll miss the live music, Power of Produce activities for kids, and sitting at our happy picnic table to “people watch”. (No worries! Since the Olympics have been postponed, there’s still plenty of time for you to hone your people watching skills!)

But wait! Won’t that make the market boring?!

The DeSoto Farmers’ Market has become the Saturday Morning Place to Be. It will be that again. We just need to take safety into consideration and take stock of all the things that are still available and working for us right now. You can still offer a friendly smile and wave to your neighbors and vendors. We just want to keep you safe while doing so.