Brookline Farmers Market [09/03/20]

The Brookline Farmers’ Market is held in Coolidge Corner at the Centre Street West Parking Lot, Brookline, MA. The lot is behind the Coolidge Corner Theatre just across Centre Street from the main parking lot in Coolidge Corner. For Directions click here.

The Brookline Farmers’ Market has been running for thirty-nine years, thanks to our hard-working vendors and wonderful customers. Our vendors bring a diversity of products, most of which are produced here in Massachusetts or New England. We are proud to support local growers, producers, and artisans, and to be a part of the Brookline community!

In 2020 the market will run every Thursday, 1:30 – 6:30 PM, from the first Thursday in June until the last Thursday before Thanksgiving.

In light of the current pandemic, we would like to reach out to all of you on behalf of our vendors and the Brookline Farmers’ Market. While the current situation calls for all of us not to spread the virus, it is more important than ever to fulfill our mission to provide access to healthy, fresh, affordable food, and to support local producers and small farms.

This global crisis reminds us of how important it is to have strong, resilient local food chains. Luckily for us, our farmers and many of our other vendors are working extremely hard to adapt to these new conditions. They continue every day to provide Eastern Massachusetts with their incredible local food and products. And with so many local livelihoods in danger right now, it has become more important than ever to support our local economy and agriculture.

We were encouraged on March 23rd when Governor Baker included Farmers Markets in the list of essential services – “workers supporting groceries, pharmacies, and other retail, including farmers markets and farm stands, that sells food and beverage products, including liquor stores.” Language was also included to make an exception for farmers markets from the state’s Assemblage Guidance prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people. It is also worth noting that outdoor markets are innately safer than indoor ones in terms of the spreading of the virus.

Keeping all of this mind, as of now we are still planning on running the market on our normal schedule, starting on the first Thursday in June. Together with the Brookline Health Department we will work hard to meet all of the health and safety requirements they set for us, as well as making some additonal changes of our own, following suggestions from our vendors and guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). We are excited to continue to provide food for our community while preserving our public health.

Some of the changes to market operations that are likely to occur are:

1. All customers and vendors inside the market will be required to wear face masks.

2. All customers will be required to maintain social distancing of 6 feet while inside the market.

3. The number of customers entering and exiting the market will be carefully controlled to maintain social
distancing.

4. A strict no-touch policy will be enforced; up until a purchase is made, only the vendors will be able to
handle produce. All displays of produce and products will be roped off.

5. The placing of online pre-orders and in-person cashless transactions will be strongly encouraged.

These and potentially many more changes will undoubtedly have to be adopted in order to preserve the safety of our customers, vendors, and the Brookline community. Many issues surrounding the market are still under consideration. We will keep you updated as our plans unfold.

So what can you do right now to help our local economy and your own immune systems? Buy local food! Many of our farmers and vendors are currently taking pre-orders online, along with increasing their delivery and safe-pickup initiatives. To learn more, please find the links to your favorite vendors on our Vendors page.

More news to come soon. Until then, stay safe and eat good food!

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Brookline Farmers Market

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