Author: JenniferHelsel

Join us back on the Plaza for our Opening Day Celebration! Many of our farmers have been hard at work and are ready to hit the ground running this season with fresh, local, naturally-grown produce and plant starts. Come get some plant starts or even fruit trees to start the garden of your dreams this year, the benefit of buying plants from local sources is that the plants are already acclimated to our environment by growing at this elevation, temperature & sunshine from seed (possibly over many years).  If we have learned anything as consumers these past few years it is that food security is paramount, no yard is too small any patch of soil given attention and care can produce food. Get to know your farmers and the land you live on, our community will be more resilient from you getting your hands in the soil!

We have a lot of new Non-Farmer Vendors this year making the commitment to Local Food First by upholding our mission. The Mission of the Taos Farmers’ Market is to support, promote and expand local agriculture by providing a premier market for local farmers to sell meat, eggs, dairy, produce, and plants. 
Our Non-Farmer Vendors are selected through a tough jury process by the TFM Board of Directors (made up of 4 Farmer Vendors & 1 Non-Farmer Vendor) each year in March.  We always receive more applications than the 18 spaces we have available for Non-Farmer Vendors so the competition is tight.  The Board selects the Non-Farmer Vendors with the most creative and LOCAL ingredients in each of their products they make since they list every ingredient on their applicaitons.  The Non-Farmers are the creatives of our market, taking what amazing ingredients our farmers work hard to grow and turning fresh local agricultural goods into ready to eat food, canned goods, baked breads, and body products.  The goal is that every product we allow our Non-Farmer Vendors to sell at market has been made with locally grown or wild-harvested ingredients from our beautiful surrounding lands.  Our Non-Farmer Vendors showcase the ingredients our farmers grow: so ask them who grew the tomatoes & herbs in their sauce or inquire as to where they sourced their wheat and you’ll quickly see how interconnected our vendors are and how beautifully intricate our local food system truly is!

We’re so happy to be back, see you at the market!
The TFM Team

Follow this link to see our May Newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/bc51e58f1227/tfm-opening-day-may-14-market-news

To sign up to receive our Monthly Newsletter straight to your inbox sign up here (we promise no spam, only one email per month unless there is a cancellation or last minute update about timing/location/etc that we need to share)

Returning Vendors will receive a blank 2022 copy by mail this week, mailed out 3/3/22.

New Vendors can go to our Vendors page to download a 2022 application now. Find all applications at the bottom of the Vendors page.

Reminder that Non-Farmer Vendors must get their completed application back to us by 4/1/22.
Non-Farmer Vendors will be notified of the status of their application (acceptance or denial) by 4/21/22.

Mail to: PO BOX 3114 Taos, NM 87571
OR
Email to: info@taosfarmersmarket.org

Here is a list of modifications to our market we have in place:

• To protect others, stay home if you are sick. Vendors may not come to market if ill.
• Taos county is “Turquoise level” which means we can operate with no capacity limits since we are an essential business operating in an outdoor space
• No customer handling of products. Customers should not touch anything on the Vendor’s table, the Vendor will be the only person touching your food until you bring it home and wash it as you should always do with fresh produce.
• Do not place your personal shopping bags on vendors tables.
• All vendors must have hand sanitizer for their personal use, the market has provided every vendor a bottle of locally crafted hand sanitizer for this very purpose.
• All Vendor Booths are spaced out 6 feet in all directions for ample room for vendors and shoppers.
• NM Governor says as of 5/16/20:
  “Masks will be required of everyone in public places, with exceptions for eating, drinking and exercising and medical requirements.” (see: https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/05/13/state-to-further-modify-public-health-emergency-order/) 

“March 3, 2021

Our office has recently reconsidered the restrictions for farmers’ markets. I am happy to provide some new guidance. Farmers markets are categorized as an essential businesses that is a “retail space” in the Public Health Order. Farmers’ markets are part of this category because they are businesses that generate more than one-third of their revenue from the sale of consumable food and beverages. If a farmers’ market generates more than one-third of their revenue from food and beverage goods, non-food vendors may participate within the same market. However, farmers’ markets are subject to the occupancy limits for essential businesses identified as retail spaces for the county they operate in.  Farmers’ markets must also comply with the applicable COVID Safe Practices.

Sincerely,
Maria S. Dudley
Associate General Counsel
Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham”

We serve the farmers who rely on direct market sales for their livelihood, providing our community with the freshest, healthiest food available, while considering the safety and health of everyone involved. The short supply chain of local food is now more important now than ever and we will continue to strive to bring those products in the safest and most effective way possible.

Apply by sending your resume & cover letter to info@taosfarmersmarket.org

We’re looking for a responsible, community-minded individual to join us at market this summer! Starting rate $12/hour 7am-2pm every Saturday

Retail Manager
(Job Description)
Requirements:
Employee needs to be at the Market site at 7:00 am to set-up and must stay until the Market is completely cleaned up and closed-down, no later than 2:00 pm. Employee needs to be able to lift at least 30 lbs.
Term:
Job begins on the third Saturday in May and continues every Saturday through the third Saturday in November for a total of 28 regular markets. Salary is paid semi-monthly during the season. Salary is $12 per hour, not to exceed 10 hours per week, for the season (28 markets).
Summary of Tasks:
Retail Manager is responsible for the following:
Info Booth Set-up:

● Unloading and setting up all Info Booth items needed for each market day
● Pop up tent, tables, table cloth, merchandise, till, EBT machine and tokens, flyers, signs, etc…
● Assisting vendors and Site Manager as needed

During Market:

● Managing the Farmers’ Market Booth:

o Selling merchandise and providing information about the Market and local food/agriculture (including volunteer opportunities and vendor information)
o Managing the EBT/DUFB program (redeeming points with wireless terminal, collecting
tokens from vendors, taking responsibility for a sizeable cash bank balance, and balancing the bank at the close of each market)
o Filling out Daily Accounting sheet to be given to Business Manager at the end of each market
o Making sure all EBT/DUFB & WIC information is compiled and delivered to the Business Manager for filing reports to the proper agencies

● Coordinating and overseeing volunteers as needed
● Assisting Assistant Retail Manager as needed and when able
● Assisting Site Manager with the enforcement of all Market rules and regulations
● Fielding questions from the public
● Collecting all completed applications from new vendors and delivering to Business Manager
● Helping with the registering of farmers with WIC contracts, delivering this information to Business Manager
● Answering questions and dealing with vendor problems, relaying all concerns to Site Manager
After the Market:
● Packing all Info Booth equipment and supplies into appropriate boxes then into trailer and assisting Site Manager with overall market clean up/pack up
● Checking Plaza for garbage, etc.
● Picking up signs and banners
● Maintaining adequate copies of all necessary forms for the upcoming market, communicating to Business Manager when more forms need to be printed out:

o Daily Accounting forms
o WIC applications
o Copies of Rules and Regulations
o Farmer/Grower Vendor applications
o EBT Token Exchange Slips
o Flyers, etc.

If the Retail Manager is unable to fulfill his/her duties for a particular Saturday during the Season, they are responsible for finding their own replacement so that the duties of this job are covered.

Join us back on the Plaza May 15, 2021 for our Opening Day Celebration! Many of our farmers have been hard at work and are ready to hit the ground running this season with fresh, local, naturally-grown produce and plant starts. Come get some plant starts or even fruit trees to start the garden of your dreams this year, no yard is too small any patch of soil given attention and care can produce food. Get to know your farmers and you get to know the land you live on, we promise you’ll taste the difference.

May 15 also happens to be Dia de San Isidro Labrador patron saint of farmers – to celebrate this Saint who many of our farmers pay homage to we are partnering with the Alianza Agri-Cultura de Taos, Taos Valley Acequia Association, Taos Land Trust, & the Taos Country Economic Development Center to bring Auntie Nannie’s Seed Exchange station to the market. Come learn about farming and planting and all that goes into local food production from groups who know the ins & outs of farming and food production in Taos!

They have a whole week of activities planned see their promotional flyer on our Facebook or Instagram pages & join in on the fun!

Please follow all current state/local health orders when visiting market thank you!

Returning Vendors will receive a blank 2021 copy by mail this week, to be mailed out 3/1/21.

New Vendors can go to our Vendors page to download a 2021 application now.

Reminder that Non-Farmer Vendors must get their completed application back to us by 4/1/21.

Get all your Thanksgiving fixing and TURKEY locally at market! We will be holding market for the first 3 Saturdays in November:
11/7,
11/14,
11/21
from 9am-12pm outside on the Plaza.

Our farmers will have fall vegetables and we have a poultry vendor, Pollo Real from Socorro, NM who will be selling heritage breed turkey, order ahead or pick up your turkey 11/21

ALL of our original extra safety measures will be continuously followed through the end of the season 2020 – see here

We have worked hard in tandem with the Town to fulfill the public health requests of the Town/Governor and we feel more than ready to open to the public! The market will be a place where we can shop safety while buying the freshest, most nutrient-dense food in Taos. Since we will have a person limit at 25% capacity, once you get through the entrance gate please get what you need and move out of the market, see map below.   There will likely be a line of people waiting to enter the market area so the faster you shop the more people who will have access to our vendors’ goods. Please follow the chalk arrows on the ground for market flow and wait in line on the chalk waiting lines in front of each booth, 2 people waiting per booth. If we all keep it chill and respectful while following these guidelines we can continue to hold market so please help us!!! The better we can all follow these directives the better our chances of staying open to provide fresh, local food to our community!

Our EBT/DUFB program will be open to market shoppers.

See the map below in the Taos News this Thursday so you can make a game plan for your market visit!

We will have 30 CSA style produce bags for drive thru pick up starting at 9am see map, cost per bag will be $35 credit or cash, unfortunately we can’t do EBT for these bags but we can for shopping in the market. It will be first come first serve for the drive thru bags, please leave this service to the elderly and vulnerable. If you can shop for yourself do!

We would like to provide our customers and community with an update on the Taos Farmers Market changes put in place that provide a safer and healthier environment to shop during this time of heightened anxiety. We want you to know that we take the safety and health of our customers and vendors very seriously.

Our farmers are working hard every day to provide our community with the freshest food available in Taos. Our farmers market is safer than shopping in a conventional grocery store so please remember that fact and let it allow you to feel safe and confident while shopping. Farmers’ markets are formally deemed as an “essential business” by the state govt so they are not considered gatherings. Our farmers provide the freshest most nutrient rich foods with shortest distribution line (literally from the farmer’s hands to you!). Again we operate completely outside and with our strong mountain sunshine we are so blessed to live in such a safe and healthy environment.

Here is a list of modifications to our market we have in place:

• To protect others, stay home if you are sick. Vendors may not come to market if ill.
• Everyone must wear a face mask while at market
• We will have 4 hand-washing stations located around the Plaza for public and vendor use.
• There will be no sampling during this time.
• No customer handling of products. Customers should not touch anything on the Vendor’s table, the Vendor will be the only person touching your food until you bring it home and wash it as you should always do with fresh produce.
• No reusable produce bags for the vendor to fill at this time, but personal shopping bags are encouraged.
• Do not place your personal shopping bags on vendors tables.
• All vendors must have hand sanitizer for their personal use, the market has provided every vendor a bottle of locally crafted hand sanitizer for this very purpose.
• The prepared food vendors will sell to-go items only.
• All Vendor Booths are spaced out 8 to 10 feet apart for ample room for vendors and shoppers.
• Follow the chalk arrows on the ground to direct you around the market’s flow for customers
• Please notice and use the chalk lines on the ground in front of vendor booths for how to stand in line, 2 people allowed to wait in line at one time per vendor
• Since we will be counting people in and out of the market area we ask that you come to pick up your produce and leave, please do not hang out in the Plaza, at this point we need to operate solely as a place to buy food.  There will likely be a line at all times of people waiting to get into market to shop so please be quick so that everyone has a chance to shop
• We will be sanitizing EBT/DUFB tokens each week between market days & we have safety procedures in place for the EBT terminal during market
• NM Governor says as of 5/16/20:
  “Masks will be required of everyone in public places, with exceptions for eating, drinking and exercising and medical requirements.” (see: https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/05/13/state-to-further-modify-public-health-emergency-order/) 
  

We serve the farmers who rely on direct market sales for their livelihood, providing our community with the freshest, healthiest food available, while considering the safety and health of everyone involved. The short supply chain of local food is now more important now than ever and we will continue to strive to bring those products in the safest and most effective way possible.  We have also added an extra half hour to market for the whole season, our new hours for 2020 are 8am-1pm.

We have the sad news to announce that we will not be able to hold market tomorrow in the normal way.  Due to the Govenor’s most recent health orders that the Town is responsible for enforcing, the Town doesn’t feel confident that we can control the number of people in the Plaza at any one time so for tomorrow only we will offer a DRIVE THRU style produce bag you can drive through and buy right from your vehicle.  I’m not sure how many we will have but if you are committed to local food please try to join us, by safely staying in your car.  We will have a produce bag with whats in season grown by our vendors for sale for a fixed price, simply drive up and pay by card or cash and drive away with your produce.  We will post price and contents of the bags once we know in the morning on our Facebook and Instagram. Unfortunately we will not be able to accept EBT for these bags, we will of course accept EBT once market is open in a more traditional way 5/23. Again sorry for the late notice…if we had it our way we would be holding market with all the extra safety precautions but not as a drive thru.  But we would love to offer this service through the season so that our elderly and most vulnerable customers can just ‘drive thru’!

Thank you for your commitment to local food and for your flexibility with us through this difficult time.  We are strong and we are part of one of the greatest communities! Thank you!

We would like to provide our customers and community with an update on the Taos Farmers Market changes put in place that provide a safer and healthier environment to shop during this time of heightened anxiety. We want you to know that we take the safety and health of our customers and vendors very seriously.

Our farmers are working hard every day to provide our community with the freshest food available in Taos. Our farmers market is safer than shopping in a conventional grocery store so please remember that fact and let it allow you to feel safe and confident while shopping. Farmers’ markets are formally deemed as an “essential business” by the state govt so they are not considered gatherings. Our farmers provide the freshest most nutrient rich foods with shortest distribution line (literally from the farmer’s hands to you!). Again we operate completely outside and with our strong mountain sunshine we are so blessed to live in such a safe and healthy environment.

Here is a list of modifications to our market we have in place:

• To protect others, stay home if you are sick. Vendors may not come to market if ill.
• Everyone must wear a face mask while at market.
• We will have 4 hand-washing stations located around the Plaza for public and vendor use.
• There will be no sampling during this time.
• No customer handling of products. Customers should not touch anything on the Vendor’s table, the Vendor will be the only person touching your food until you bring it home and wash it as you should always do with fresh produce.
• No reusable produce bags for the vendor to fill at this time, but personal shopping bags are encouraged.
• Do not place your personal shopping bags on vendors tables.
• All vendors must have hand sanitizer for their personal use, the market has provided every vendor a bottle of locally crafted hand sanitizer for this very purpose.
• The prepared food vendors will sell to-go items only.
• All Vendor Booths are spaced out 8 to 10 feet apart for ample room for vendors and shoppers.
• Follow the chalk arrows on the ground to direct you around the market’s flow for customers
• Please notice and use the chalk lines on the ground in front of vendor booths for how to stand in line, 2 people allowed to wait in line at one time per vendor
• Since we will be counting people in and out of the market area we ask that you come to pick up your produce and leave, please do not hang out in the Plaza, at this point we need to operate solely as a place to buy food.  There will likely be a line at all times of people waiting to get into market to shop so please be quick so everyone has a chance to shop.
• We will be sanitizing EBT/DUFB tokens each week between market days & we have safety procedures in place for the EBT terminal during market
• NM Governor says as of 5/16/20:
  “Masks will be required of everyone in public places, with exceptions for eating, drinking and exercising and medical requirements.” (see: https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/05/13/state-to-further-modify-public-health-emergency-order/) 

We serve the farmers who rely on direct market sales for their livelihood, providing the community with the freshest, healthiest food available, while considering the safety and health of everyone involved. The short supply chain of local food is now more important now than ever and we will continue to strive to bring those products in the safest and most effective way possible.  We have also added an extra half hour to market for the whole season, our new hours for 2020 are 8am-1pm.

Food from Farmers Market is the shortest supply chain available in Taos (aside from your own garden)!