One of the truly great components of an Appleton summer is set to kick off its 2020 schedule on Saturday morning.
Though with covid-19 still of heightened concern, the Downtown Appleton Farm Market will have a bit of a different feel this year.
It’ll be less of a street festival while still serving as the top spot in town for fresh, local produce.
The market will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday and will still stretch for four blocks of College Avenue from Appleton Street to Drew Street.
Expect fewer vendors. The market will spread out its vendors in effort to promote social distancing. For that matter, don’t come looking for the unique gifts or home decor items that made Appleton’s market unique in typical years.
This year, it’s just about produce. There will be no arts and crafts. There will not be musicians. Prepared foods will continue to be part of the market, though purchases will be packaged for takeout. Visitors are encouraged to partake in their favorites outside of the market once the shopping is done.
Hey, a safe market is better than no market and there’s little better than fresh and locally grown. Appleton Downtown Inc. will ask visitors to observe the following precautions:
• Minimize the number of people coming with you to the market.
• Maintain at least six feet of physical distance from other customers and vendors.
• Do not bring reusable bags from home.
• We recommend shoppers wearing a face mask. Masks will be available at no cost at the information booth & sponsor booths.
• Use hand sanitizer or on-site hand-washing stations frequently.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Allow vendors to handle all product/produce until transaction is complete.
Those looking for a yet safer way to bring home some farm market goodness can use the new pickup option.
Go to appletondowntown.org for a list of participating vendors and shop directly with them. Orders placed by Thursday will be available at a drive- or walk-through pickup location behind City Center on Saturday between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
