Thanks to our Community!

Thanks to our community!

The market opened for the 2020-21 season on Saturday, November 7th 2020 in “Shop ‘n Go” mode. However, due to the rapidly rising incidence of COVID19 in VT and the region, we pivoted to 100% Curbside Pick up so as to keep our community safe. We were overwhelmed by the positive response of our customers, and thank each and every one of you for helping to keep our market safe and alive through this crisis!

Feeding Our Community

Thanks to NOFA-VT for access to Crop Cash, and grants from C&S Wholesale Grocers, the New England Grassroots Envirommental Fund, Brattleboro Savings & Loan, Post Oil Soltuions, and the generousity of many community members and market customers, we were able to provide weekly support enabling many of our neighbors in need to access fresh healthy local food. Their overwhelming messages of appreciation for this food security boost truly warmed our hearts even on the coldest of days!

Pivoting to Curbside

Hello WInter Market Friends & Fans~

In all honesty, I have to say that it's quite a challenge to write these weekly messages these days, with no weekly live music offerings to let you know about, or exciting happenings like another visit by The Caterpillar Lab this season. We long for those kind of market days to return - and they will - but in the meantime, our aim is to keep everyone as safe as we can, while continuing to connect you to our fabulous growers, bakers and makers! We know that is what you want for your tables and gift giving for this coming holiday season. Like all of us at the market, fewer friends and family will be gathering around our tables for Thanksgiving next week.

Reports of the rising numbers of COVID cases in Vermont and all around us is very much on our minds. This and knowing that many of our friends and neighbors are struggling during this time weighs heavy on us all. And while Vermont has imposed measures to contain the spread, we all know that during the holidays, the risk of spreading the virus is only greater! Because of that reality, we have made the hard decision to pivot to a curbside only market model after this week's market. Starting a week from this Saturday, that is the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we will not be open for in-person shopping. But there is good news - and that is that most everything you might want to bring home from the market can still be purchased through our online pre-order system for curbside pick up. And there are even some items availabe there that you wouldn't find at the market anyway, like Susan Dunning's beautiful pottery or Livewater Farm cheese and raw milk or Vermont Elderberry tonics to name a few!

This Saturday, Nov. 21, will be the third week of this new mode of business for our market. The number of orders have grown each week, and these three weeks give us a chance to work out the kinks in the system so we're ready to ramp up and serve you in place of in-person "Shop 'N Go" market.

We hope you'll join us on this new journey and make the purchases you would have made in person in this new way. Maybe you'll purchase even more local foods for your table, because, heck, eating out is less and less of an option now anyway! You will still get the fresh local foods and goods you want, and help to support all the small independent businesses that are part of our market at a time when they need you the most!

And we are most pleased to say that our SNAP/3SquaresVT shoppers too can shop from us on-line! And you can still turn $10 into $30 each week for curbside orders just as you do with in person shopping. Thanks to generous donations from C&S Wholesale Grocers, New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, Brattleboro Savings & Loan, and our own Post Oil Solutions our new Boost Your Bread Bucks along with the familiar Crop Cash programs are truly keeping goof food on many local tables that might otherwise not have enough to eat.

As you likely are, we will be watching the news about the Vermont's COVID cases, with the plan to re-evaluate how we connect with you come January. But one way or the other, we will be available to connect you with all the wonderful food and goods our vendors have to offer!

So I hope to see you Saturday at the market, even if it is just in passing as you drive through to pick-up your curbside order. We'll be sure that all you need to know about ordering online is there for you at the "shop." But if you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch. And stay tuned here for any changes we need to make. Oh, and before I forget, the online shop opens Tuesdays at 8 AM!

Update 3/27/20

UPDATED 3/27/20 4:00 PM

We got the Waiver!

Greetings Market Friends,  

We heard this afternoon a positive response to our waiver request so that market could officially serve your food needs to tomorrow!  What a relief...and I thought worth a second message in 2 days!
Though that is good news, there is still much to be concerned about and all you can do to help us mitigate the risk of spread is much appreciated.  Again, below you'll find contact information so you can pre-order for pick up at the market...that is curbside in the parking lot!

High Goose Farm -  Email  Blackcurrant and other berry preserves, syrups and more
New Leaf CSA - Email  Assorted veggies and greens
Wingate Farm Greens, spinach and eggs
Maya Zelkin Specialty Foods -  Kraut, kimichi, dilly beans, salsa verde, mole negro, tortillas, chicken mole or black bean tamales
Hidden Bean Bakeshop - GF Whoopie pies, brownies and other baked goodies
Naturally Friendly Soap - 802-275-8944 for assorted handmade soaps

And while NOT attending this week they would be happy to take orders for on farm pick up:
Wild Shepherd Farm - Email Assorted meats, spinach and more 

In the interest of keeping everyone safe, please keep these guidelines in mind

• Stay home if you are sick in any way! 

• Don't Linger.  - Shop & go, pick up what you need and go home. 

• PLEASE arrange to arrive with the needed cash or check, or arrange pre-payment. 

• Vendors have been encouraged to round up or down to eliminate the exchange of coins!

• Farmers will have paper vouchers for EBT transactions. 

• Maintain that 6 ft zone of distance.  Enjoy the picture below as a reminder that 2 out stretched arms - not touching of course, is your distance guide.

And please in the meantime, do all you can to keep you and yours safe and stay tuned.  We'll be putting up more detailed information in the days ahead on how you can connect with many of our regular vendors to arrange pre-orders and pick-ups over the time uncertain time ahead.  And many thanks to those of you who are already taking that measure.  Keep fresh local food safe and flowing is so important now as we may seen challenges to the usual channels of foods from a far getting to our local grocery shelves. 

Let's come together by staying at least 6 feet apart to beat this thing as fast as we can!

Check our website or Facebook page for updates or just to let us know you are well! 

Update 3/26/20

UPDATED 3/26/20 9:15 PM

So much is in limbo!

Greetings Market Friends,  

I'm writing to you just after 8 PM on Thursday.  We just learned this afternoon that Governor Scott wants all winter markets to cease operations through April 15 as he has deemed them not to be an essential food business.  We have submitted an appeal for a waiver as we believe markets are essential as a critical outlet for nutritious local foods.  We hope to hear on that tomorrow.

In the meantime, FARMERS ARE seen as essential and they DO have the right to conduct business keeping a mind of course to the guidelines for minimizing risk of exposure to COVID19 for themselves and their patrons.  And so since our plan was to again be all outdoors with 5 farm operations, and a few others, you'll likely still find much of that around the edge of the parking lot.  And here is what you need to contact these folks in advance to pre-order for curbside pick-up:

High Goose Farm -  Email  Blackcurrant and other berry preserves, syrups and more
New Leaf CSA - Email  Assorted veggies and greens
Wild Shepherd Farm - Email Assorted meats, spinach and more 
Wingate Farm Greens, spinach and eggs
Maya Zelkin Specialty Foods -  Kraut, kimichi, dilly beans, salsa verde, mole negro, tortillas, chicken mole or black bean tamales
Hidden Bean Bakeshop - GF Whoopie pies, brownies and other baked goodies
Naturally Friendly Soap - 802-275-8944 for assorted handmade soaps

In the interest of keeping everyone safe, please keep these guidelines in mind

• Stay home if you are sick in any way! 

• Don't Linger.  - Shop & go, pick up what you need and go home. 

• PLEASE arrange to arrive with the needed cash or check, or arrange pre-payment. 

• Farmers may be able to do paper vouchers for EBT transactions. 

• Maintain that 6 ft zone of distance.  Enjoy the picture below as a reminder that 2 out stretched arms - not touching of course, is your distance guide.

And please in the meantime, do all you can to keep you and yours safe and stay tuned.  We'll be putting up more detailed information on how you can connect with many of our regular vendors to arrange pre-orders and pick-ups over the time ahead.  Check our website or Facebook page for updates. 

Let's come together by staying at least 6 feet apart to beat this thing as fast as we can!

COVID 19 Update for 3/21 Market

UPDATED 3/20 3:30 PM

The Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market will again be open on a smaller scale this Saturday and next - March 21 & 28 from 10-2 at 80 Flat St. in downtown Brattleboro.  However, in light of the very real cautions related to public gatherings, we are now treating the market as an essential grocery shopping access point, not as the typical community and social gathering place it usually is.  There will be no musicians, the Kid’s Room will be closed, no community groups doing outreach, etc.  

To help us succeed in this effort the following changes will apply - 

• Please Shop & Go.  During this challenging time, we need you pick up what you need and head out.  We look forward to being a community gathering place again next season.

• Any hot food/lunch vendors will be offering menu items in to-go containers only, another effort to discourage congregating at the market. 

• We will not be offering any sampling whatsoever.. 

• We’ve marked off 6 FT intervals on the floor to help you maintain safe distances.

• Vendors will have products pre-packaged to minimize handling and exposure to contamination.

There will be a wireless terminal for processing EBT cards, but we ask that everyone else PLEASE arrange to arrive with the needed cash to help maintain social distancing and thus reduce risk to market staff. 

The situation is fluid, and plans that make sense as of this writing might need to be changed by Saturday morning on March 21 or 28.  So check back for updates.

The following vendors are planning to participate this Saturday, March 21. You will find veggies, greens, eggs, meat, preserves, breads & other baked goods, coffee, and zero waste soaps.

High Goose Farm, New Leaf CSA, Wild Shepherd Farm, Wingate Farm, Orchard Hill Breadworks, Gilles Baguettes, Hidden Bean Bakeshop, Studio Main Botanicals

3/16/20 COVID19 Update

The Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market will again be open for those vendors wishing to connect with their regular customers this Saturday and next - March 21 & 28 from 10-2 at 80 Flat St. in downtown Brattleboro.  However, in light of the very real cautions related to public gatherings, we are now treating the market as an essential grocery shopping access point, not as the typical community and social gathering place it is.  There will be no musicians, the Kid’s Room will be closed, no community groups doing outreach, etc.  

The situation is fluid, and plans that make sense as of this writing might need to be changed by Saturday morning on March 21 or 28.  Therefore all are encouraged to check our website - www.brattleborowinterfarmersmarket.org for updates prior to Saturday morning. You can also join our mailing list there, or follow our Facebook page for changes and updates.  

To help us succeed in this effort in the following changes will apply - 

• Please Shop & Go.  During this challenging time, we need you pick up what you need and head out.  We look forward to being a community gathering place again next season.

• Any hot food/lunch vendors will be offering menu items in to-go containers only, another effort to discourage congregating at the market. 

• We will not be offering any sampling whatsoever. 

There will be a wireless terminal for processing EBT cards, but we ask that everyone else PLEASE arrange to arrive with the needed cash to help maintain social distancing and thus reduce risk to market staff. 

Please understand that you may not find a particular vendor as each needs to make their decision about participation based on their particular situation.  We have asked any vendors who are sick to stay home, and urge our customers to do the same. 

We are striving to keep the market open for the sake of the farmers and food makers who rely on it for their livelihoods and to keep fresh, local foods and goods accessible to those in need at this critical time. Again, check for updates via our website or social media pages, or look for our email. 

Eat your vegetables, support your local farmers and producers as well as your health!

COVID19 Update 3/12/20

Because of the concern with COVID19 spreading via public gatherings, a number of our vendors will not be coming to the market this week.  We were going to officially cancel the market, but a few intrepid farmers insisted on coming for you. You’ll find veggies from Elizabeth Wood of New Leaf CSA, Mary Ellen Henry from High Goose Farm with all those healthful black currant concoctions, Olivia from Wingate Farm with greens and eggs, Orchard Hill Breadworks, Hidden Bean Bakeshop and Thai Hut.

Check our Facebook page for updates.  

So when you come to the market on Saturday, you will find a smaller version of us. BUT YOU WILL NOT find a terminal to run credit, debit or EBT card sales. Plan accordingly and be prepared with cash or check, or the tokens and coupons you already have on hand.    

For all concerned we do ask that folks with cold-like symptoms please remain at home. As we did last week there will be hand sanitizer inside the door.  But with the growing concern about the spread of this virus and to borrow words from our friends at NOFA-VT, we want to help flatten the curve of the COVID-19 infection rate to slow the spread of the virus.

We will be discussing what this means for the remaining 2 weeks of our market season, and if needed possible alternatives for putting customers together with our vendors and the fabulous goods they bring to market for you each week.  So stay tuned.

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