Finding a local farmers market
Where and when to find them (and what’s different this year).
Along with heading to the nearest public pool or ice cream parlor, summertime doesn’t feel quite as sweet without a trip to the local farmers market. Strolling the lanes of fresh produce, baked goods and other local offerings now feels like a summer mustdo. And, fortunately, due to the nature of the markets, many are still able to remain open during the summer months without posing a health risk to customers in the age of the coronavirus.
From the popular 2nd Street Market to the Miami County Virtual Farmers Market, there are options for every kind of customer across the Miami Valley — whether you’re ready to venture outside to buy fresh produce or you’d rather do a virtual form of this summertime tradition.
Here is a sampling of farmers’ markets open and welcoming customers across the Miami Valley, and how policies have changed this season.
If your market is now open or opening soon, please send the details to Ashley.Moor@coxinc.com to be included in our online guide to farmers markets this summer.
2nd Street Market
When: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 600 E. 2nd St. in Dayton Five Rivers MetroParks’ popular 2nd Street Market in downtown Dayton is open to the public. The market has implemented a list of COVID-19-related guidelines to keep its customers safe. For one, customers must enter at the east end of the market’s south parking lot and exit at its west end. Additionally, only a certain number of people will be permitted to enter the market at a time, so be prepared to stand in line (while wearing facial coverings and maintaining a proper social distance, of course) before entering the market on especially busy days.
Other coronavirus-related policies include:
■ Shoppers and vendors will be required to wear facial coverings at all times.
■ Social distancing of at least six feet must be maintained at all times.
■ Shoppers are asked to purchase their items and move along so that others may do the same, as well as to prepare a list to expedite shopping.
■ Shoppers are asked to designate one person per household to visit the market.
■ Shoppers will not be allowed to touch products, but instead must ask vendors for what they’d like to buy.
■ Shoppers cannot use their own bags.
■ Dogs are not permitted, aside from service animals.
■ Restrooms and water fountains are not available, and shoppers will not have access to the interior of the market building.
3rd on Third
When: Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month until Oct. 18
Where: 1121 E. 3rd St. in Dayton
This downtown Dayton institution often features antiques and collectibles, handmade and recycled items, produce, baked goods, food trucks and live music. 3rd on Third has implemented a few new procedures that will keep its customers safe:
■ There will be more space between vendor booths to allow for social distancing.
■ Hand sanitizer stations will be set up throughout the market.
■ Social distancing will also be encouraged for guests and vendors.
■ Masks will be worn by staff, and customers are encouraged to also wear masks.
Downtown Franklin Ohio Farmers Market
When: Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Sept. 12
Where: 1 Benjamin Franklin Way in Franklin
Located in downtown Franklin, the Franklin Farmers Market is now open and offering plenty of local produce and goods to the masses. If you’re in a higher risk category for coronavirus, organizers are encouraging you to shop at the market from 9-10 a.m. Wearing masks and maintaining a proper social distance are recommended at the market.
Cherry Street Local Farmers Market
When: Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon until Sept. 26
Where: South Cherry Street between West Main and West Franklin streets in Troy
Troy residents looking for fresh produce and other local goods can find a large assortment at the Cherry Street Local Farmers Market, located on South Cherry Street in downtown Troy. Before you head to the market, be aware of these guidelines that the market has instituted to avoid the spread of the coronavirus:
■ Only one person will be permitted inside of a booth at a time.
■ Maintain a social distance of six feet at all times.
■ Don’t touch any items that you aren’t going to purchase.
■ Vendors and customers will be required to wear a face mask.
■ Purchase your desired items as quickly as you can so that the market can avoid overcrowding.
Eaton Earlybird Farmers Market
When: Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (closing date has yet to be determined)
Where: At the intersection of Barron and Somers streets in Eaton
Though Eaton’s Earlybird Farmers Market has not officially opened for the season yet, a small group of vendors have decided to set up shop in downtown Eaton. Social distancing and masks will
be encouraged by customers and mandated by vendors. The vendors will be selling baked goods, plants, produce and frozen meat.
Lebanon Ohio Farmers Market
When: Every Thursday from 3-7 p.m. until Oct. 15
Where: The city lot at the corner of West Main and Sycamore streets
The Lebanon Farmers Market is open once again and offering a plentiful array of fresh produce and local goods. This year, the Lebanon Farmers Market will be putting a few measures into place to ensure the health and well-being of its patrons:
■ Vendors will be spaced further apart and there will be no cloth table coverings, samples or single-use packaging and bags.
■ Vendors will also be regularly cleaning their booths, wearing gloves and have been strongly encouraged to wear masks.
■ Customers should be practicing social distancing and are strongly encouraged to wear masks.
■ Customers should not be touching any items that they do not intend on purchasing.
Miamisburg Farmers Market
When: Every Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. (closing date has yet to be determined)
Where: Miamisburg Christian Church, 1146 E. Central Ave. in Miamisburg
The Miamisburg Farmers Market, located at the Miamisburg Christian Church, will be selling meat, milk, fresh produce and other local goods every Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. The elderly or those with pre-existing medical conditions are encouraged to shop between 2:30-3 p.m.
Oakwood Farmers Market
When: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 17
Where: 22 Orchard Drive in Oakwood
Open now to the public, the Oakwood Farmers Market, in operation since 2013, has worked to provide fresh produce, gourmet food and artisans to the heart of the city’s business district. This year, operations will look somewhat different as vendors adjust to the new normal. Organizers of the farmers market have put the following coronavirus-related precautions in place:
■ They recommend that shoppers wear cloth face covering as recommended by the CDC.
■ They ask that customers eat and drink their goodies outside of the market space.
■ They also ask that shoppers prioritize their purchases and discontinue social gatherings.
■ If possible, they ask shoppers to send only one member from each household to the market in order to curtail crowds.
■ Practice the recommended 6-inch social distancing from one another while at the market.
■ Refrain from touching any products, rather allowing the vendor to select and bag products customers wish to purchase.
■ Hand sanitizing stations will be at the entry/ exit as well as at the back of the market.
■ Discontinue use of reusable bags and materials at this time. Accept only new bags from your farmers and food producers.
■ There will not be food trucks for the month of June. They will re-evaluate food trucks throughout the season.
Piqua Community Farmers Market
When: Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. until Sept. 10
Where: 116 W. High St. in Piqua
Located on High Street in front of the Piqua Public Library, the Piqua Community Farmers Market will be offering fresh produce and other local goods. Similar to other farmers’ markets in the area, customers at the Piqua Community Farmers Market are encouraged to maintain a proper social distance and wear facial coverings.
Sugarcreek Township Farmers Market
When: Fridays from 3-6 p.m.
Where: 6124 Wilmington Pike in Dayton (behind the Fazoli’s)
Every Friday, the Sugarcreek Township Farmers Market is open to the public from 3-6 p.m., offering goods like fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, pottery and an assortment of other things. Social distancing is encouraged
for vendors and customers.
Yellow Springs Farmers Market
When: Every Saturday from 8-11 a.m.
Where: Antioch University Midwest, 900 Dayton. St. in Yellow Springs
This popular Yellow Springs institution has moved its location to better comply with coronvirus-related mandates from the state. These are the policies that the Yellow Springs Farmers Market has put in place to keep customers safe:
■ Customers and vendors should be wearing facial coverings at all times while in the market.
■ A physical distance of six feet between customers should be maintained at all times.
■ A hand sanitizing station will be available at the entrance of the farmers market.
Miami County Virtual Farmers Market
When: Pickup for goods purchased online will be from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesdays
Where: First Place Christian Center, 16 W. Franklin St. in Troy
Still feeling wary about leaving your house but still want a chance to purchase fresh produce and other goods from local vendors? The Miami County Virtual Farmers Market is here to help. Each week, vendors post their available goods at https://miamicounty.locallygrown.net. Customers can register for a free account and preview market offerings and place orders from Tuesday evening through
Sunday evening. Then, customers can come to the First Place Christian Center in Troy to pick up their fresh local goods from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Springfield Farmers Market
When: Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 117 S. Fountain Ave. in Springfield
The Springfield Farmers Market is back up and running for the 2020 season and will be located in the market alley between the CoHatch and Heritage Center. The market will now be operating with the following coronavirus policies:
■ All employees, volunteers and staff members will be wearing facial coverings and sanitizing often.
■ Shoppers will be required to enter at the front of the Heritage Center and exit behind CoHatch.
■ Physical distancing of six feet between all people in the market will be observed.
■ Vendor booths will spaced farther apart.
■ Multiple sanitizing stations will be available.
■ There will be no scheduled food trucks, live music or other activities at the market for the 2020 season.
■ Increased way-finding and instructional signage will be posted to keep customers apart.
This Old Farmers Market
When: Every Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. and 2:30-3 p.m. for high-risk population
Where: 3930 Dayton Xenia Road in Beavercreek
This Old Farmers Market in Beavercreek is now open to the public and instituting several health measures to keep its patrons safe. Customers can find assorted goods in the market, from local honey to kettle corn, roasted nuts, flowers and herbs. This Old Farmers Market coronavirus policies:
■ The market will not be hosting live music, food trucks or be offering seating of any kind.
■ Customers will only enter the market on the front sidewalk and exit near the old chicken coop. There will be plenty of signage to signal this change.
■ Vendor booths will be spaced farther apart.
■ Marked spots will be placed on the ground to establish appropriate social distancing for customers.
■ Vendors will not be offering samples.
■ Customers are also encouraged to do prepaid ordering with vendors, if possible.
■ All staff members and vendors are required to wear facial coverings, while guests are encouraged to wear facial coverings while inside of the market.
■ Customers are encouraged to not bring small children and to only bring one member of their household at a time.
■ The store will also be open during the market hours, and customers are required to wear a mask inside of the store. Only 10 customers will be allowed in the store at one time.