After postponing the opening due to COVID-19, the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar returns for its 43rd season this Sunday, June 14. We have missed seeing you each week, but this postponement has allowed us to plan out the healthiest and safest way to reopen during this health crisis. This Sunday, things will look and feel differently under the JFX. While we are used to gathering, socializing, and shopping together, we have had to redesign the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar – for now – to focus on operating only as an essential food source. This is not permanent; however, it is necessary in order to open the Market in the safest way possible.
In the past few weeks, we have seen the country come together in an impressive show of solidarity against injustice and racism. As BOPA opens the market this weekend, we consider the importance of equal access to healthy environments, good food and safety as a way to address systemic issues such as food deserts that prevent communities from gaining access to much needed resources. Access to our market provides fresh food with the goal of contributing to the health and nutrition of all Baltimore residents.
As we reach out to farmers and food vendors to provide services at the market, we are cognizant that those resources should accurately reflect Baltimore. We continue to network with Black and urban farmers, but we could use your assistance in identifying diverse farmers within the agriculture community who can make our market team stronger, more equitable and more representative of the City we love.
In addition, the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar has been an annual platform for a diverse group of Baltimore-based artists and makers to showcase their crafts and grow as entrepreneurs. Since we are opening a food source only in this initial phase, we look forward to eventually resuming the Bazaar and bringing in more of our beloved vendors as they grow their businesses here in Baltimore. While we cannot welcome our Bazaar vendors to the market at this time, we have made their names and contact information available on the BOPA website so that you can contact them directly.
We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend and throughout the season. While the market will be different as we maintain social distancing, wear our masks and shop expeditiously so that others can also shop, we hope you’ll still feel the empowering sense of community as we resume this beloved Sunday tradition.
Please be well and stay safe,
Donna Drew Sawyer
CEO, Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts
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The full list of changes, restrictions and recommendations for the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar is available here.