Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit its stride in March, the Bridgeport Farmers Market has continuously found ways to roll with the punches.

 

That perseverance will continue into the winter and beyond.

 

There will be no indoor market this year and although that is certainly a decision the Board for the market would have preferred not to make, they also have found a way for the community to still be able to acquire market goods.

 

“Number one we can’t have it because of the indoor restrictions,” said Debbie Workman, a board member and one of the original founders of the Bridgeport Farmers Market. “On any given Sunday we would have probably 300 people in the conference area at one time and that is way over the limit.

 

“Secondly, we just couldn’t figure out a way to do the line to be able to get in. We started in 2012 so this is the first time in eight seasons we haven’t had a winter market.

 

“But what we are doing, the way people can keep in contact with the vendors over the winter is follow us on all the social media platforms and our website because many of our farmers they will be taking special orders throughout the winter. Some have already started. So, whenever they contact me with what they are doing I will post that on social media. Just follow the instructions and most of them will be doing drop offs in the Bridgeport area.”

 

Workman said right now some of the protein providers have already found success with the on-line orders and that as we get closer to the holidays, the artisan vendors will also be ramping up their on-line special deliveries for those in search of holiday gifts.

 

For more information about what vendors you can place an order with or Market updates in general, visit the Bridgeport Farmers Market website HERE or the Bridgeport Farmers Market Facebook Page HERE.

 

The last two indoor markets last season were forced to close at the onset of COVID leading into questions at the time regarding if there would be an outdoor season.

 

It looked a little different and changed with the flow of restrictions, but the outdoor market opened on Memorial Day Weekend and remained open for 18 weeks.

 

At first it was a drive-thru only market, then small crowds were allowed in, then slightly bigger crowds, then artisan vendors on a rotating basis were brought back.

 

“Now that we have been closed for a while and looking back on it, it’s one thing when you are in the middle of it, but when you look back on it, it was really hard,” Workman said. “But we were happy to have been open for 18 weeks and we did it very safely and we had everybody’s support.

 

“We were happy that our farmers and small businesses were able to keep going. It was probably the best sales market that some of these vendors have ever seen. We found there were more people wanting to buy local, especially the meat and eggs. It was a great year for sales.

 

“We had customers comment that they appreciated No. 1 that we were doing things in a safe manner, requiring masks, only allowing certain number in at a time and we were still providing access to local food.”

 

In addition to helping their vendors with on-line special delivery orders this winter, the Market already is thinking ahead to the next outdoor season.

 

“We are spending this winter revamping the website because we don’t know what next spring will bring,” Workman said. “We weren’t able to have our biggest fundraiser this year, normally in September, the Wild and Wonderful Table. So, we are looking into some on-line virtual fundraisers to help keep the market going.

 

“We are beginning to think about what next season will look like. Can we have take-out options for Sunday brunch, maybe live music on a limited basis.

 

“Bridgeport Farmers Market is not going anywhere. We found out we could adapt. Not just the board and volunteers, but our vendors. We have that experience under our belt and the confidence that the community will support us. Whatever is thrown at us, we will make it work. The Market is more than a market. It’s a community we’ve formed within the community.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo of some of the goods available at the Bridgeport Farmers Market courtesy of the Market's Facebook Page. Bottom two photos from the outdoor season by www.benqueenphotography.com