The Ventnor City Farmers Market opened for the season Friday, May 22.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR You can't keep a good city down, even during a pandemic. The Ventnor City Farmers Market got off to a good start as it opened the market season Friday, May 22.
There was a steady flow of customers, all of whom wore protective face masks and adhered to social distancing guidelines.
According to Market Manager Andy Starer, people were lined up to get in for a while, and volunteers stationed at the entrance allowed 40 people in at a time. As shoppers left, others quickly replaced them.
We have half the amount of vendors, a total of 19 in all, compared to last year's 40 vendors, Starer said. But we feel it was very successful. We had very few complaints and people were very respectful of each other.
Market Co-manager Maria Gatta, who operates Red Room Café on Dorset Avenue, said the new single-file layout left lots of room for people to browse the Jersey Fresh produce, baked goods and soup stands. A row of parked cars separated the two isles of vendors.
Red Room sold out of everything, she said.
The Atlantic County Health Department was there early in the day to ensure safety protocols were being followed.
They were very happy with our set up, Starer said.
The market will be held 8:30 a.m. to noon every Friday until Labor Day in the parking lot at St. James Church on Atlantic and Newport avenues.
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