Goshen Farmers Market opens May 29

Opening day for the Goshen Farmers Market is Friday, May 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the general public with senior hours from 9 to 10 a.m.
“The Goshen Farmers’ Market of 2020 is going to open,” said Mark Kalish, president of Board of Directors of the Goshen Chamber of Commerce. “The committee has worked hard to put together the elements to make this market a reality.

“We want to have the Farmers’ Market in a safe way,” said Kalish. “Farmers’ markets are deemed essential and we’re following strict precautions. We have developed a policy that we feel will work.”

To ensure the safety of the event, the market will be located on the green at the Orange County Government Center, at the corner of Erie and Main Streets in Goshen.

Kalish said customers are asked to park in the Govenment Center’s parking lot and enter the market grounds from there. This arrangement allows one entrance and one exit area, following a direction around the grounds and prohibiting pedestrian traffic from the sidewalk on Main Street.

“We’re grateful to County Executive Steve Neuhaus and the County for allowing us to use the grounds at the Government Center and for supporting farmers and others who produce locally grown products," Kalish said. "Here we have a safe, controlled environment.”

He’d also acknowled Chris Wilson, the market co-coordinator, who worked long hours working out the details to make this event happen.

This year, 39 vendors onsite will be selling old favorites and some new ones, offering fresh fruits and veggies, jams, baked goods including gluten free, goat’s milk, natural beauty and health products, cheeses, plants and much more.

In following guidelines for hosting a safe event, Kalish said there would be plenty of sanitizer available, as well as hand-washing stations on site.

Customers are required to wear masks and for those who don’t bring one, they will be made available. Volunteers will be onsite to help people with these guidelines and precautions, Kalish noted.

“We’re confidant visitors will comply with safe distancing and other precautions we’ve put in place,” said Kalish, “If things go well, we’ll be able to lengthen the day.

“The committee and I are happy and excited to open, and we’re looking to make this the greatest Farmers’ Market yet," Kalish added. "We’ll miss having it at the church park, but this new location meets our need for having a safe, controlled event."

The market will be open every Friday until Oct. 30, rain or shine.

For more information and a list of guidelines for safe shopping, go online at www.goshenfarmersmarketny.com.