By Richard L. Gaw

Staff Writer

In many ways, the Genesis Walkway and State Street in Kennett Square is the perfect location for the weekly KSQ Farmers Market.

It is centrally located in the borough. 

Shoppers who work nearby can visit a wide variety of vendors during their lunch hour, and those who make their weekly drive there can park right next door in the Genesis parking garage.

Like many other businesses navigating their way through the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the popular market has had to pivot in order to persevere. Beginning May 8, the market and its vendors moved to the Creamery of Kennett Square’s parking lot on 401 Birch Street, as a precautionary measure that allows for more social distancing.

“We knew that the State Street location, as much as we love it up there, just wouldn’t allow for that kind of management of public space, because it’s a public sidewalk,” said Ros Fenton, who has been the KSQ Farmers Market manager for the past three years. “As the pandemic hit, we moved into the Kennett Library parking lot, but that wasn’t large enough to go forward with the full season. We were looking for a space for our vendors to park their vehicles and provide them with additional room to set up and safer handling of their products. 

“The Creamery of Kennett Square has been the perfect location we were looking for.”

On May 15, the market featured 11 vendors who showcased an assortment of local fresh-cut flowers, maple syrup, farm-raised vegetables, meats, poultry, breads and baked goods.

“All of our vendors have adapted quickly to the changes by creating pre-order systems and safe-handling procedures,” Fenton said. “It’s been amazing to watch these businesses transition so quickly.”

To better assure the safe transfer of products and abide with social distancing, safety precautions were posted throughout the market, including a sign created by the market that encouraged shoppers to pre-order, wear face covering, limit shopping to one customer per household, and condense their time at the market by arriving with a shopping list. To reduce handling, there is no self-service; vendors package customers' selections for them.

Fenton said that the safety guidelines were compiled by looking at recommendations from the Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the PA Farm Markets.

“Everyone is pooling their resources and putting their information together in order to make markets like this work around the state so small farms and independent food businesses can continue to provide fresh, local foods direct to their communities,” she said.

The KSQ Farmers Market will be open every Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Creamery of Kennett Square parking lot, 401 Birch Street, Kennett Square. Free parking is available at 226 East Birch Street, across the street from Braeloch Brewing. Please note that from 3 – 3:30 p.m., the market is reserved for seniors and high-risk customers only. 

Some vendors accept pre-order only, some have on-site sales only, and others are encouraging pre-orders but also have on-site sales.

The KSQ Farmers Market is a program of Historic Kennett Square.

To receive a list of weekly vendors and to obtain the KSQ Farmers Market online newsletter, visit  historickennettsquare.com/events/kennett-square-farmers-market/

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].