Tuesday Market Open For Season, Online Store Now Available

(BLOOMINGTON) – The signs that the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market is headed toward peak season produce continues with the arrival of bell peppers, Vidalia onions, black raspberries, gooseberries, and green tomatoes. Producers say there should be sweet corn at the Market on Saturday, July 4 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The online store opened at 6 a.m. today. One significant change with the online store this week is there are no longer suggested arrival times based on the customer’s last name.

This past Saturday was exceptionally busy with the distribution of Market Bucks, vouchers used to buy SNAP-eligible product in the Market. The Market doubled SNAP customers buying power to the tune of $919.35 in Double Market Bucks. The Market also issued $2,304 worth of Market Bucks to WIC clients as part of the tripling of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program vouchers. These evidence-based programs help low-income households have greater access to healthy food while supporting small farmers and businesses.

Tuesday Market will be open from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Pavilion at Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers Street.  Eight farmer vendors will sell on-site with an array of fresh produce including peaches, blueberries, and tomatoes. The first half-hour of shopping, from 4 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., is reserved for people who are at a higher risk of contracting an illness.

The Tuesday Market operates in compliance with current public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including limiting the number of people that enter the Tuesday Market area at any one time, requiring Market vendors to wear face masks, and following recommended physical distancing of at least six feet between people.

Market officials announce that through the end of the Market season, the SNAP doubling amount for SNAP customers will increase from $18 per Market day to $27, meaning $27 on your EBT provides you with $54 worth of healthy food from the Market, while you support small farmers and food and beverage artisans.

For SNAP customers who shop both online and on-site, you will need to choose between doubling your online purchase or doubling the purchase of “Market Bucks”, the vouchers used to make purchases on site. If you use the online form to place food orders, you’ll need to sign up as a SNAP customer at registration. 

Area 10 Agency on Aging has an errand service program, offering assistance with pick up of groceries. Volunteers are paired with community members in need of assistance in safely accessing groceries, including those from the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market.

If you’re interested in signing up or learning more about this opportunity, you can complete this intake form, email amywardlow@area10agency.org or call Amy at 812-269-2808.