Farmers markets add so much more to the shopping experience than simply meeting your grocery needs. From the fresh smell of seasonal produce to small bites and entertainment, there’s nothing like a farmers market to uplift and fulfill. But sometimes, you might find yourself stretched thin.
That’s where online shopping, curbside pick up can save you time and stress. There are several online/curbside farmers markets that make supporting local convenient.
These farmers markets in Petaluma and Santa Rosa offer the service.
- Petaluma East Side Farmers Market (Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
- Santa Rosa Community Farmers Market — Wednesdays on Farmers Lane (Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
- Santa Rosa Community Farmers Market — Saturdays on Farmers Lane (Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Order at ILoveFarmersMarkets.org/Shop by 5 p.m. the day prior. Then, on market day, you’ll get a text message confirming your order is ready for pick up curbside. Drive up before the market ends to pick up your order. Curbside Manager Amy personally shops the market to get all your items ready. Amy is also a vendor at farmers markets so she is intimately familiar with what makes vendors and customers tick.
In the video below, Amy and customer Suzi (who happens to be Petaluma Bounty’s director) show you why it’s a great service.
Why Online/Curbside Farmers Markets?
The local farmers markets’ curbside service began as a pandemic response.
Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets (ACEFM), the organization that runs the aforementioned markets and many more, was among the markets grappling with how to adjust to the pandemic in early 2020. Statewide stay-at-home orders went into effect in March 2020 and many businesses serving the public shut down.
Although grocery stores were designated as essential services allowed to stay open, farmers markets were out of initial consideration. Petaluma Bounty worked with market managers, statewide coalitions, and the local health department to get farmers markets designated as essential services that could stay open to fulfill community needs. Farmers markets took their roles seriously, implementing public health measures including face mask requirements, increased spacing between vendor stalls, hand-washing stations, and more.
Online sales with curbside pick-up service was implemented at that time to strong customer demand. Online/curbside sales reached peak sales in May 2020 with a steady decline as time went by. Eventually, many markets stopped the service as customers returned to in-person shopping.
Access to Local Food for All, at All Times
During the same time, Petaluma Bounty, the University of California Cooperative Extension, Center for Well-Being, and partner farmers market organizations were conducting community engaged research to identify barriers and opportunities for farmers markets access. Barriers identified included public health concerns — not only the pandemic but wildfire smoke —, mobility, budgeting, and time efficiency. ACEFM continues the online/curbside service to this day to meet those challenges and more.
So, when you’re short on time, when it’s too hot outside, or for any other reason, take the opportunity to shop the farmers market with the curbside service. You’ll be supporting the markets’ efforts to continue this valuable service while supporting local and feeding yourself fresh and healthy food.