The Open Air Market hosted by Phoenix Public Market is still open for business, but has made adjustments to accommodate the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure shoppers’ safety.
For more than 15 years, the farmer’s market has helped distribute and produce other goods provided by local farmers and artisans to the downtown area. Over that time, the market has grown from a simple gathering of 12 vendors to the large-scale community hub of more than 80 vendors that it is today.
Due to the pandemic, the market had to adapt its operations to enforce preventative measures. Gov. Doug Ducey outlined in the statewide stay-at-home order that farmers markets are essential businesses, and Community Food Connections (CFC), a statewide nonprofit dedicated to alleviating public hunger through community development, works tirelessly to keep the market running.
“We do miss seeing the faces of our volunteers,” said Samantha Jackson, Downtown Phoenix Inc.’s senior director of strategy and community affairs. She serves as a member on the administrative board of the market.
Jackson said that by remaining open, the market needed to adapt quickly to the constraints presented by the pandemic; however, she said she appreciates the opportunity to support some of the regular vendors, local growers and artisans that rely on the market for their revenue.
She said that what she appreciates most about the transition is how mindful and respectful patrons have been with the new preventative rules. Jackson said that she is even glad to see new faces drawn to the market despite the unfortunate circumstances.
In recent weeks, many businesses in the Phoenix area have begun to depend on one another for mutual support and are focusing more effort on their local communities. Jackson said that similarly, many nonprofits are working to build stronger community connections as a means of supporting one another during the crisis.
Other members of the administrative board have also been impressed with the effort shown by local businesses to bring people together.
“It’s kind of incredible to see the amount of work that people are doing, so we’re proud to be a part of that community,” said Sara Matlin, executive director of Community Food Connections.
Matlin said that she has worked alongside her staff to oversee the continued success of other areas of CFC through the crisis, such as ensuring that local farmers are able to sustain themselves and making sure that proper nutrition is provided to impoverished families through the EBT system.
Matlin said that some of the greatest challenges facing CFC right now are a shortage of volunteers, continued product shortages, and the issue of supplying vendors with the proper preventative means. She said that despite the setbacks and constraints, which have included stockpiling of eggs by panicked buyers, CFC continues to be a small but mighty force in the betterment of Arizona communities.
One of the largest ways in which CFC adapted its services to the current issue is the construction of a new website to support the Phoenix farmer’s market. The website provides patrons of the market with an opportunity to buy groceries and other products online, and to have them delivered or picked up.
Brian Hines, a market vendor, owner of charcuterie The Proper Beast and the board president of CFC, said that he has worked closely with vendors and community members to build the delivery service and ensure that it works smoothly.
Hines said that CFC will continue to provide its services, and the Phoenix farmer’s market will remain open in one form or another this coming Saturday.
Contact the reporter at esaguil2@asu.edu.
