Outdoor farmers market returns to Fairfield

FAIRFIELD - From a distance, there's nothing out of the ordinary at Fairfield's Farmers Market.

The market made its outdoor debut on May 2 after getting the go-ahead from Gov. Kim Reynolds on April 26 when she announced farmers markets could assemble once again. Fairfield's market had been canceled for the prior month and a half when it was supposed to meet indoors at the Fairfield Community Center.

Reeta Murphy, president of the market's board of directors, said attendance has been good at these early markets in May.

'Our vendors have been doing well. People were ready for the market to come back,” Murphy said.

The most notable difference this year from prior years is to see so many vendors and customers wearing masks to guard against transmission of the coronavirus. Market-goers should know that, though the market's board is strongly encouraging vendors and customers to wear masks, they are not mandatory. Murphy said she's fielded some complaints on this matter from patrons who believe the board should make vendors to wear masks.

Though Murphy shares in the customers' frustration that not everyone wears a mask, she didn't feel it was right to force her beliefs on the vendors. She noted that the governor's order does not require mask-wearing by vendors.

'It's an individual's choice, and I can't take that away,” Murphy said.

This year, the market is providing plastic bags courtesy of Farm Bureau for all vendors who want them because customers are discouraged, though not barred, from bringing their own bags from home. Murphy said that if reusable shopping bags are not washed on a regular basis, they will harbor bacteria.

'Even though they'll wear out faster, you should wash them. They're not meant to last forever,” Murphy said.

Patrons who visit the market will notice that booths are farther apart this year than in prior years, 10 feet to be exact, in accordance with social distancing guidelines. They'll also notice a quieter market, one with no live entertainment. This led to an argument between Murphy and a man who insisted on playing his guitar at the market even after learning of the prohibition.

'He set up his microphone and amplifier, and just kept strumming his guitar the whole time,” Murphy said. 'I called the sheriff, and he confronted me again after he took his time putting his stuff away. I don't like confrontation in the first place. I'm just trying to run a peaceful market.”

Other patrons have gotten angry at another rule, again from the state and not up to the local board, that forbids the use of picnic tables during the market. The picnic tables can be used, just not during the market, a rule intended to stop the public from lingering too long in a crowd and increasing the chance of virus transmission. Murphy said she hopes people comply with these rules because 'we're lucky to have a market.” She worries that if the governor learns of too many violations of these rules, she'll decide to shut down the markets altogether.

One of the biggest differences between this year's market and a normal one is that, so far, crafters are not allowed. Only those selling produce or baked goods are allowed. Murphy said the most recent order from the governor bars crafters at least through June 17, but there's a chance the prohibition could be lifted after that. The only exception to the no-crafts rule pertains to sanitary supplies, so homemade masks can be sold.

Murphy said the market is missing at least half a dozen craft vendors because of the rule. A couple of food vendors have told her they won't be at the market this year because the loss of revenue from being off 1.5 months meant they couldn't afford to renew their state certifications.