A rainy morning and warm afternoon greeted vendors and shoppers for the first Henry County Farmers Market of the 2020 season. 

  However, the weather did not keep eager vendors and shoppers away.

  Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, 115 shoppers perused the wares of various farmers market vendors at Heritage Park.

  Canned fruits, fresh produce, baked goods, sewn face masks, purses, blankets, and birdhouses were just some of the items for sale throughout the day. 

  Frank Hancock, University of Georgia Agriculture and Natural Resource County Extension Agent, has overseen the Henry County Farmers Market for 11 years and was pleased with the outcome of the first market day of the 2020 season. 

  “We had a good opening day. The weather can be a factor. When it’s raining, it’s not the best day for the market,” said         Hancock. “With that going on and COVID-19 going on we were not really sure how many people would come to the market but, as it turned out, it met what we had hoped for.”

  Hancock states that the farmers market is important in keeping the revenue for fresh produce within Henry County while also supporting area farmers. 

  “We started the farmers market to help our local farmers have a place to sell their goods,” said Hancock. “It’s a twofold thing of giving people access to fresh produce and giving our farmers a place to sell it where they don’t have to go out of town.”

  To keep vendors and shoppers safe, staff at the Henry County Cooperative Extension Office are taking many safety precautions in light of COVID-19, to include having visitors wash their hands prior to entering the market, having their temperatures taken, and limiting the number of shoppers to no more than 10 at a time.

  Vendors are required to wear masks, where it is recommended that visitors wear masks and gloves.

  Shoppers can also use hand sanitizer that is placed throughout the market.

  “We get guidelines from the University of Georgia and Henry County. As we went through this thing, the wearing of masks, taking people’s temperature, washing your hands, using the hand sanitizer, all of those things got presented to us. We did incorporate them into the market,” said Hancock. “We are doing what we can and still trying to make our fresh produce available for folks.” 

  All of these safety precautions have reassured shoppers about having a safe farmers market experience.

  Micala Riggins has shopped at the farmers market for many years and told the Times that she feels “very comfortable” with the current safety measures put in place. And, with the variety of items provided by vendors, she plans on returning to the market throughout the summer months.

  “They’ve got a little bit of everything here. The friendliness and the atmosphere are why we keep coming back,” said Riggins. “And we like the fresh fruits and vegetables.”

  The vendors also felt reassured that the Henry County Cooperative Extension Office was taking the proper measures to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. 

  “I feel safe here,” said vendor Pat Palmer. “They are just trying to protect everybody.”

  The Farmers Market will take place each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Heritage Park through August 27.

  For more information about the Henry County Farmers Market, call the Henry County Extension Office at 770-288-8421. Heritage Park is located at 99 Lake Dow Road in McDonough.