Mark your calendars – High Street in North Phoenix is bringing back its weekly farmers market at the end of October! Located on Loop 101 and 56th Street, the farmers market will reopen on October 25 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and continue every Sunday until the end of May. With health and safety guidelines implemented and over 100 vendors bringing their local goods to the public, the High Street farmers market is going to be the place to be next month. Whether you’re looking for specialty hot sauce or organic coffee, the market has something for all ages. It is also dog friendly, so don’t be afraid to bring your furry friends along when heading out to shop for local goods.
“We strive to provide a strong foundation at the market for community access to community products and produce,” says Laura Minnick, the High Street market manager. Some of the vendors at the market are residents of the surrounding area, Minnick says, which is one way that the market is unique. “They came down during their first year, during the first few weeks actually, and said, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve been looking for an opportunity like this,’” she says. “And that goes for not only artists, but also (for) some of the bakers and other food producers.” Shoppers have also expressed gratitude for a farmers market experience in their area that has created a loyal community of vendors and buyers, Minnick says.
Although the market will be open for shopping, there will not be spaces to lounge and eat, Minnick says, a safety precaution taken in order to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. “But it’s still kind of a gathering place. We still encourage people to come down and say hey to their friends.” Minnick looks forward to reconnecting with people that haven’t had a space to congregate to sell and buy local goods since earlier this year. “This year, people will find some of their vendors from the last two years and we’re getting inquiries from new people who want to come in,” Minnick says.
“Many vendors have brick and mortar kind of stores as well, but they love the market so much that they’re still out there selling,” she says. According to Minnick, shopping local and being able to talk face-to-face with a producer is something truly special. “And then there’s the aspect of helping small business(es),” she says. “I don’t think there’s anything better than knowing that the money that you’re spending is actually getting directly to the person who did the work.”
Social distancing efforts will be implemented among vendors, with all vendors wearing masks and sampling of products being limited. Face masks for shoppers will be encouraged, but not mandated “because it’s all about protecting each other,” Minnick says, and vendors will have hand sanitizer for shoppers to use. “The market’s doing everything we can and we’d like to encourage our customers to do that as well,” she adds.
