City’s green markets follow new rules, fret over future
It was a sight that wouldn’t make you think twice just about a week ago: Shoppers packed at the northern end of Prospect Park Saturday, ambling by vendors selling Brooklynites fresh farm products at the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket.
But in the age of coronavirus, the crowds have raised concerns that open-air markets across the city may be flouting social-distancing guidelines. And vendors at the markets are concerned that if their outdoor stands get shut down, they’ll be out of work.
“That’s like my lifeline right now. That’s my income,” said John Madura, who sells produce at the Union Square Farmers Market in Manhattan. “I have four kids and a wife and the winter markets are slow enough, but now they’re really slow.”
GrowNYC, which operates greenmarkets across the boroughs, from Grand Army Plaza to Union Square to Jackson Heights, Queens, has taken steps in response to the fast spread of coronavirus in the city, where more than 12,300 cases have been confirmed and nearly 160 people have died.
Only vendors can handle the goods and sampling is forbidden, as are apple cider sales by the cup.
Madura said he now uses gloves, regularly sanitizes his station, and does not allow customers to touch the produce in accordance with the new rules.
“If they want the beets, we put the beets in a bag and weigh it out for them. Things have been changed to be safer,” Madura said.
GrowNYC went even further this week. All of its markets were closed Monday and Tuesday so the organization can implement more social-distancing measures — like spreading out vendor tents by 10 feet instead of just 2, limiting the number of people who can enter a market, and using more public space so shoppers can spread out.
GrowNYC said it has no plan to shut down the markets completely, especially as Gov. Cuomo last week designated farmers markets as essential businesses.
“We’re not concerned because Cuomo in his executive order deemed us essential and we are essential. People have to eat,” said Catherine Crawford, a spokeswoman for GrowNYC, who added that the markets are no more crowded than grocery stores — and they’re open-air.
One former vendor at Grand Army Plaza said sellers are following the lead of GrowNYC and leaders and will keep working until the markets are shut down.
“Are the markets something that might look a little off? Sure. But we’re following the CDC, the State Liquor Authority, whatever governing body determines what’s okay or what’s not okay,” the former vendor said. “Until our leaders drop the hammer on us I think it’s up to the discretion of shoppers and business owners.”