5th Farmers Community Market To Be Held April 16 In Annapolis

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The fifth Free Community Farmers Market hosted by Latitude 38° Waterfront Dining will take place Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. First responders, active duty and retired military veterans should pick up a bag of items first before other shoppers during the first 30 minutes. To help abide by social distancing measures and ensure as many people receive items while supplies last, only one pre-made bag per person will be handed out.

The first market was held March 25 and pulled together items found in the restaurant's kitchen. Buddy's Crabs and Ribs donated produce on hand at the time and Belair Produce contributed 10 cases of asparagus. The Gateway Florist in Eastport donated buckets of flowers, too. An hour before the first market, there was a line of almost 50 people waiting and more than 200 people received free items by the end of market.

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For the second market, Latitude 38° purchased 275 cases of produce and other items to create a pop-up market and ended up assisting almost 250 people. Various area companies have been donating goods to be given out at each community farmers market, which helps expand the free offerings to people who are facing uncertain times during the new coronavirus pandemic.

"People love it. Residents not in need are walking by and seeing it and saying how much they love it and asking how they can help. They are dropping bags off left and right of canned goods and more. Everyone is extremely appreciative. I have had people in tears thanking me because they did not know how they were going to feed their kids for the week. I had a well-dressed man, who with tears in his eyes told me that this was the first time in his life he has never had a job, and the first time he never had food," Latitude 38° bar manager Justin Schaffner told Patch.

Latitude 38° remains open during the state's stay-at-home order, offering curbside pickup and delivery service via DoorDash. Schaffner said the farmers market is separate from the restaurant and is "simply the right thing to do to help the community."

To help abide by safety guidelines, there are line markers six feet apart and lines are limited to a maximum of 10 people. For those who arrive and the line is full, people are given tickets and asked to take a stroll and listen for their number to be announced over the bull horn when they can return for their items. They can also be contacted on their cell phone.

"We are taking all measures we can in order to keep our staff, volunteers and guests safe," said Schaffner.

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