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!