Louisville farmers markets will open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's your 2020 guide
Gege ReedSpring is in full force, which means it's finally farmers market season. But what does that look like in a world where the coronavirus pandemic has brought "social distancing" and a "Healthy at Home" initiative to the forefront of our culture?
It means that while markets will open, each will practice various forms of social distancing and follow the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, according to Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, including allowing only one shopper at a time per family, encouraging customers to look but don’t touch items, and, when available, to go cashless by using cards for payment or even pre-ordering online.
Many are also encouraging both vendors and customers to wear face masks.
“It is time that we begin to reopen our economy in a responsible way,” Quarles said in a news release. "I want to applaud our producers and our market managers for adapting to these new realities to safely provide local food for Kentuckians. ... I hope consumers will show up to buy local."
It might look different, but the quality of produce, artisan products, and more will remain at the same level that people in Kentuckiana have come to expect from the more than 20+ farmers markets in the area. A full list of farmers market details broken down by county can be found at kyproud.com.
The Original Bardstown Road Farmers Market
WHAT: Seasonal fruits and vegetables, beef, pork, lamb, poultry, bison, sausage, eggs, baked goods, jam, jellies, salsas, honey, potted plants and more. This market also accepts SNAP, debit and credit cards.
WHERE: 1722 Bardstown Road
WHEN: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. through November; 10 a.m.-noon, December to March
MORE INFORMATION: bardstownroadfarmersmarket.com
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Beechmont Open Air Farmers Market
WHAT: Fruits and vegetables, flowers, baked goods and hygienic products.
WHERE: 4575 Third St.
WHEN: May 30 to Sept. 26. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon
Douglass Loop Farmers Market
WHAT: Meats (beef, chicken, pork, goat, lamb and veal), dairy products, fruits, vegetables, soaps, honey, jams, jellies, breads, plants, wine and prepared foods. Pre-order with drive-through pick up available. Enter through Douglass Boulevard and exit on Woodford. Vendors can be found at douglassloopfarmersmarket.org. Updates and more timely crop info can also be found on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
WHERE: 2005 Douglass Blvd.
WHEN: Now through Dec. 19. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: douglassloopfarmersmarket.org
East End Farmers Market
WHAT: Drive-thru 100% produce-only market
WHERE: Grace Evangelical Free Church, parking lot, 13060 Factory Lane
WHEN: Now to Oct. 31. Saturdays, 2-4 p.m.; Tuesdays, 4-6 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: eastendfm.com
Eastwood Village Farmer’s Market
WHAT: Fruits, vegetables, baked goods and more.
WHERE: 1411 Buckley Creek Parkway (Beckley Park at the Paddling access parking lot)
WHEN: June 6 to Sept. 12. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon
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Jeffersontown Farmers Market
WHAT: Produce, meat (organic available), artisan bread, mushroom vendor, canned goods, soap vendor, coffee and sweet treats.
WHERE: 10434 Watterson Trail
WHEN: May 2 to Oct. 31. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: jeffersontownky.gov; facebook.com/JeffersontownFarmersMarket/
La Grange Farmers Market
WHAT: Fruits, vegetables, beef, jam, jellies, sweet treats, herbs, eggs, honey, candles, hygienic products and more.
WHERE: Courthouse Square, 100 West Main St., La Grange
WHEN: May 9 to Oct. 10. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: lagrangefarmersmarket.com
Middletown Farmers Market
WHAT: Fruits, vegetables, professional baked goods, artisan breads, eggs (chicken, duck and turkey), beef, pork, dried fruit, bourbon candy, cloth mask, candles, lotions, honey, sorghum and more.
WHERE: First Baptist Church of Middletown parking lot. 11721 Main St., Middletown
WHEN: May 6 to Oct. 28. Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: facebook.com/middletownmdfarmersmarket/
New Roots Fresh Stop Markets
WHAT: Successfully leverages the power of cooperative economics to pool their money and SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps) on an income-based sliding scale, and negotiate wholesale prices with local organic produce farmers. Everyone gets the same fresh food no matter what they pay. The markets run from June through October. For more information and to place an order: 502-509-6770 or newroots.org
LOCATIONS:
Shelby Park at Logan Street Market
- WHERE: 1001 Logan St.
- WHEN: Tuesdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Old Louisville at First Unitarian Church
- WHERE: 809 S. 4th St.
- WHEN: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
West Louisville at Dr. William G. Weather Senior House
- WHERE: 2900 Dr. William G. Weather Dr.
- Thursdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Berrytown at First Baptist Church
- WHERE: 11500 La Grange Road
- WHEN: Tuesdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Gender Grapevine at The J (Jewish Community Center)
- WHERE: 3600 Dutchmans Lane
- WHEN: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
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Southern Indiana at Sojourn Church New Albany
- WHERE: 2023 Ekin Ave, New Albany, Indiana
- WHEN: Thursdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Portland at Facilities Management Services
- WHERE: 1500 Lytle St.
- WHEN: Fridays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
California Neighborhood at California Community Center
- WHERE: 1600 W. St. Catherine St.
- WHEN: Tuesdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Norton Commons Kentucky Proud Farmers Market
WHAT: Fruits, vegetables, cakes, BBQ sauce, baked goods, hygienic products and more.
WHERE: 6301 Moonseed St., Prospect
WHEN: May 10 to Nov. 1. Sundays, 1-4 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: facebook.com/NortonCommonsFarmersMarket/
Phoenix Hill NuLu Farmers Market
WHAT: Fruits, vegetables, flowers, meat, herbs and more.
WHERE: 1007 E. Jefferson St.
WHEN: May 19 to Oct. 27. Tuesdays, 3-6 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: 502-262-7194; facebook.com/PhoenixHillNuLuFarmersMarket/
Prospect Area Farmers Market
WHAT: Fruits, vegetables, professional baked goods, artisan bread, eggs (chicken, duck and turkey), beef, pork, dried fruit, bourbon candy, cloth mask, candles, lotions, honey, sorghum and more.
WHERE: 12900 W. Highway 42 (east of Prospect on south side of Highway 42), Prospect
WHEN: Through Oct. 31. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Rainbow Blossom Farmers Market
WHAT: The great thing about this market is it's at the steps of Rainbow Blossom's flagship store in St. Matthews. Raegan Stremel says farmers know they can set up there on Sundays. And if you don't like what you see, you can wander inside a retailer that reliably stocks and encourages products by new and established local food producers.
WHERE: 738 Lexington Road
WHEN: May 10 to Nov. 29. Sundays, 12-4 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: rainbowblossom.com; 502-498-2340
St. Matthews Farmers Market
WHAT: Many farms accept online orders with easy pick-up at the market. Check the website. Taking precautions to keep the farmers and customers safe during COVID19.
WHERE: Two doors down from Beargrass Christian Church, 4124 Shelbyville Road ( parking lot at the former location of the St. Matthews Woman's Club. Enter at the light at Shelbyville Road and Thierman Lane at Owens Medical Plaza)
WHEN: May 9 to Sept. 26. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: smfarmersmarket.com
Westport Road Baptist Farmers Market
WHAT: Fruits, vegetables, baked bread, hygienic products and baked goods. Updates available on their Facebook page.
WHERE: 2813 N. Hurstbourne Parkway (across the street from the church)
WHEN: May 2 to Oct. 31. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Facebook.com/westportrdbaptistfarmersmarket
SOUTHERN INDIANA LOCATIONS
Corydon Farmers Market
WHAT: Fruit, vegetables and more. Covid-19 safety measures in place. Check Facebook for updates.
WHERE: 124 S. Mulberry St., Corydon, Indiana
WHEN: May 15 to Oct. 30. Fridays, 4-7 p.m.; Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: 812-738-4236
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Harrison County Farmers Market
WHAT: Fruits, vegetables and more. Check Facebook for updates.
WHERE: Corydon New Hope Wesleyan Church, 1390 Old Highway 135 N.W., Corydon, Indiana
WHEN: May 30 to Oct. 31. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon; Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: 812-738-4236
Jeffersonville Farmers Market
WHAT: The Big Four market operates at the foot of the pedestrian bridge just over the Ohio River. That's a great excuse for a nice walk or bike ride in good weather. Produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, flowers and more. Check the website for updates.
WHERE: Big Four Station, at West Market Street and Mulberry Street, Jeffersonville, Indiana
WHEN: May 30 to Oct. 31. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
MORE INFORMATION: jeffmainstreet.org/farmers-markets
Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards
WHAT: Farm market, winery, ice cream, cheese shop are open all year round. Fruit, vegetables, baked goods, ice cream, cheese shop and wine.
WHERE: 19816 Huber Road, Starlight, Indiana
WHEN: Hours vary throughout the year
MORE INFORMATION: huberwinery.com
Reach news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.