Jordan Beck | Daily Press Barron’s Farm co-owner Jill Barron, right, sells produce to Escanaba resident Barbara Bosk at Escanaba’s farmers’ market recently. Market hours start at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and 8 a.m. on Saturdays at the city marketplace.

ESCANABA — After missing its original opening date as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Escanaba’s farmers’ market opened for business earlier this month. Market hours start at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and 8 a.m. on Saturdays at the city marketplace.

“There are some great products, and great vendors who would love to see everyone,” Escanaba Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Scott Czasak said.

Under normal circumstances, the farmers’ market would have kicked off its 2020 season in early June. However, Czasak said the market was unable to open at that time.

“Unfortunately, we had a delayed opening due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Michigan,” he said.

Instead, the DDA worked to develop safety procedures for the market in June.

“Luckily, we were able to open up in July,” Czasak said.

Community members have been consistently using the farmers’ market since it opened.

“It’s been steadily attended — people have been showing up,” Czasak said.

According to Czasak, vendors and shoppers at the farmers’ market are encouraged to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines to protect themselves from COVID-19.

“Just use common sense,” he said.

Though wearing a mask while visiting the farmers’ market can help protect shoppers and vendors if they come into close contact with one another, the marketplace is an open-air facility.

“I believe it’s encouraged but not required,” Czasak said of mask-wearing at the marketplace.

Additionally, hand sanitizer has been made available for farmers’ market attendees.

Among the vendors who have been ­participating in Escanaba’s farmers’ market this summer is Jill Barron, co-owner of Barron’s Farm in Rock. Barron said farmers’ market sales have been strong for her business since the season began.

“We have a lot of new faces, so that’s nice to see,” she said.

While Barron said a smaller number of vendors seemed to be participating in Escanaba’s farmers’ market so far, she acknowledged it is still early in the season.

Barron said she had no problems complying with social distancing measures while selling produce at the farmers’ market.

“If this is what we have to do to be here, we’ll do it,” she said.

Eric Berg, owner of Bergy Bread in Rapid River, was glad to be able to set up shop at the farmers’ market once again.

“It’s great — since 2015, this is the ultimate farmers’ market stop for me,” he said.

With the pandemic in mind, Berg was also pleased that Escanaba had a place where local residents could buy food in an open-air environment.

“This is the safest way to shop,” he said.