Westfield And Summit Farmers Markets To Open Despite Coronavirus

WESTFIELD AND SUMMIT, NJ — Coronavirus will not keep you from your corn, your strawberries, your organic hot peppers, your Jersey tomatoes. And with so many kids missing school lunches, you may be looking to feed them something healthy right about now — even if they reject it for grilled cheese.

Farmers markets will return to some North Jersey towns this spring, including Westfield and Summit — just with new rules. Lots of new rules. For instance, in Summit, dogs are not allowed. (Have you ever seen dogs do social distancing?)

Read on for information about both markets.

Westfield: Starts Saturday, May 2

Mayor Shelley Brindle shared an announcement from the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday night: the Westfield Farmers Market has gone virtual.

The Virtual Farmers Market will arrive this Saturday, a month ahead of the usual start date. All purchases must be made online and picked up by car in the North Avenue train station parking lot between 10 a.m. and noon.

Brindle wrote, "Because the market is starting a month early, it will take time before the farmers have all of their usual seasonal products available. The initial launch includes a few vendors, with more to be added in the coming weeks."

To place an order and obtain all details about pick up procedures, visit mycommunitymarketplace.com/westfield-farmers-market.

Brindle wrote, "Thank you to the GWACC and to the organizers of the market, Chris and Lisa Devine, for their ongoing commitment to providing locally sourced products to the community — especially at a time when additional options for produce and food products are even more beneficial."

Summit: Starts Sunday, May 10

The Summit market will run on Sundays, May 10 through Nov. 22. It's celebrating its 25th year.

There many new rules this time around, including: Wear a facemask, one family member at a time, no samples, and no dogs.

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Summit Downtown, Inc. said the market will run each Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The market’s location has been changed this season to Park & Shop Lot #1, at the corner of DeForest Avenue and Woodland Avenue. The change is meant to provide more space between the vendors and for the customers to remain safe.

New COVID-19 guidelines have been developed for the market, to prevent the spread of the virus. They include:

• Masks or face coverings will be required for both customers and vendors.
• Painted lines on the sidewalk outside of Park & Shop Lot #1 will provide a social distancing guide while waiting to enter the market
• Customers are also required to remain 6 feet from others inside the market.
• Customers will enter at the vehicle entrance on DeForest Avenue and exit at the alleyway at the back of the parking lot near Woodland Avenue.
• Dogs will not be permitted in the market.
• Only one person per family may shop at a time.
• Only vendors will be allowed to handle their own merchandise so customers will need to shop individually with the vendor at each stand.
• The vendors will also offer a touchless pay system in addition to cash.
• There will be no samples.

For additional rules and information about the Summit market, click here.

Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday that the number of deaths in New Jersey linked to the virus had climbed to 6,044. The previous 24 hours saw the highest death toll ever: 402.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

Experts say that the novel coronavirus, because it's new, is more lethal and much harder to treat than the flu. The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

Got a local news tip or idea, or just want to reach out? Email caren.lissner@Patch.com. To keep up with local breaking news and get a free morning newsletter with local stories, sign up here.