Boise Farmers Market came up with new plan because of COVID-19. Here’s how it works
The Boise Farmers Market will open for the season Saturday but in a drive-thru, COVID-19-friendly format.
Customers will place their orders online by 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, choose a pick-up time through the Eventbrite ticket system and arrive at the appointed time at the market at 1500 Shoreline Drive. Orders will be delivered to their car.
“There are other farmers markets in other parts of the U.S. that are doing farmers market drive-thrus,” market Manager Tamara Cameron said by phone. “This just seemed like the safest concept for us.”
The farmers market looked for ways to sell fresh food while limiting contact between vendors and customers that could lead to the spread of the coronavirus. While making people order ahead of time and not allowing them to browse will make it harder on people, it’s the safest way to allow the market to continue, she said.
The city of Boise and the Central District Health Department approved the plan, and their approvals were needed for the market to operate, she said.
The market is offering pickup times every 15 minutes between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. There are 25 slots for every 15-minute period.
“That will mean 400 pickups over the course of the day,” Cameron said. “We’ll see how that goes. And then if we can add more, we will. We might even decide to run later in the day,” in future weeks.
All of the pickup slots for Saturday’s market were reserved by early Tuesday afternoon. In subsequent weeks, times can be reserved Monday morning.
“It really is heartwarming for me to see the response,” Cameron said. “I know people want local food and and we are thrilled to provide it. And if this system works, nothing will make me happier.”
The opening market will feature 21 vendors selling early season crops such as spinach, scallions, fennel, rosemary and tarragon. There’s also beef, chicken, pork, lamb, elk, rabbit and goat, along with breads, pies and pasta.
The market also has a link with information about offerings from market vendors. Many offer delivery or curbside pickup on other days.
Vegetable and flower starts will be added in coming weeks, she said.
The Capital City Public Market has not announced its opening. It’s seeking a parking lot that could be fenced to limit the number of people going in and out.
The market’s home at 8th and Idaho streets is not available, because it would be too hard to control the number of people going in and out, Executive Director Mona Warchol previously told the Statesman.
This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 2:21 PM.
