• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

CAN I GO TO A PUBLIC MARKET DURING A PANDEMIC? HOW DOES THAT WORK?

Written by SAMER KHUDAIRI Posted April 24, 2020 Filed Under: COVID, Shop

coronavirus farmer's market
PHOTOS BY SAMER KHUDAIRI

 

We all need our provisions. Three square meals. Or snacks. Or comfort food. And more snacks. Maybe some booze. Don’t forget the toilet paper*.

Getting these essentials has become a new kind of challenge, especially for those who are elderly or immunocompromised. Contactless online shopping/delivery is an option. As are grocery stores. But there are also some alternative ways to support local providers and small businesses, like Bow Market’s Safe Supply.

Entering its second month of service, Safe Supply in Somerville is a monitored, open-air experience available three times a week. Admission is free, but guests have to book a time slot through an event page to limit occupancy (which is capped at 25 at a time). Like “candy land for groceries,” shoppers make their way through different tents on a path painted with designated six-foot markers chalked along the ground.

Boston coronavirus market

The first, a handwashing station. The last, a chip reader to donate to the Greater Somerville Homeless Coalition’s Project SOUP. In between, you’ll find a mix of “local food vendors, appropriately spaced throughout the courtyard, [offering] fresh fish, meat, produce, dairy, frozen items, and staples.” Through it all, “shopping will be entirely touchless,” according to the ongoing event’s understandably strict rules.

On Saturday, April 11, the market had roughly 265 shoppers and donated about $500 to Project SOUP, a food assistance program. As Safe Supply has gained more traction and attractions, their reservations have been filling up.

Like other grocery stores, Safe Supply has selected times that are open specifically for seniors and those who are immunocompromised. Leah, one of the organizers, encourages shopping from home but added, “If you need groceries and you don’t have a safer way to get them, we are offering an alternative.”

Somerville Coronavirus market

Overall, vendors with distribution to grocery, especially in beer and liquor, are doing okay. According to industry analysis, between March 8 and April 5, a weekly average of 720 million dollars have been spent on beer in grocery, convenience, and liquor chain stores. 

As traditional grocery sales go up during the pandemic (beer: +17.8%; wine: +28.7%), many without that revenue stream are trying to keep afloat through changing laws that allow self-distribution and delivery services. For outfits like Bow Market’s Remnant Brewing and Rebel Rebel wine bar, Safe Supply is a lifeline.

“There were some kinks at the beginning, but as we enter our second month, we’re ready to share our blueprint,” Matt Boyes-Watson, a partner at Bow Market, wrote in the Safe Supply Field Guide. “It’s empowering to feel we can feed the nation safely, connecting farm to family, for as long as this continues.”

*Please don’t hoard.


This article was produced in collaboration with the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism as part of its Pandemic Democracy Project.

HELP DIGBOSTON WEATHER THIS STORM AND CONTINUE PROVIDING ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE

SAMER KHUDAIRI

Samer Khudairi is a freelance journalist who covers design, music, action sports, and craft beer. His name means the person who tells stories at night. Samer abides by the mantra, 'live all the lives. love all the peoples.'

More from author
  • SAMER KHUDAIRI
    https://digboston.com/author/samer-khudairi/
    SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: KEG NOG, EXPLORING BARRELED OPTIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND BEYOND
  • SAMER KHUDAIRI
    https://digboston.com/author/samer-khudairi/
    BOS LAUDERDALE: WHAT WOULD BOSTON LOOK LIKE WITH LEGAL PUBLIC CONSUMPTION?
  • SAMER KHUDAIRI
    https://digboston.com/author/samer-khudairi/
    GOWN FOR THE CAUSE: A MAJOR COMMUNITY-BASED PPE FACILITY BLOSSOMS IN ALLSTON
  • SAMER KHUDAIRI
    https://digboston.com/author/samer-khudairi/
    Coronavirus Dating
    IT’S NOT YOU, IT’S COVID-19. ON SOCIAL DISTANCING AND GETTING DUMPED.

Filed Under: COVID, Shop Tagged With: coronavirus, COVID, shop, slider

WHAT’S NEW

IT'S HARDER THAN EVER TO FIND A BATHROOM IN BOSTON. WHAT'S THE CITY DOING ABOUT IT?

IT’S HARDER THAN EVER TO FIND A BATHROOM IN BOSTON. WHAT’S THE CITY DOING ABOUT IT?

ON NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION, PROTESTERS CALL FOR EVICTION MORATORIUM

ON NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION, PROTESTERS CALL FOR EVICTION MORATORIUM

WU AND CAMPBELL TO SPEAK AT MAYORAL CANDIDATE WEBINAR

WU AND CAMPBELL TO SPEAK AT MAYORAL CANDIDATE WEBINAR

Hard right wingers casually tour the Capitol during last week's attack. Via C-SPAN.

HOW TO DEFEAT THE HARD RIGHT

BAKER URGED TO SIGN GAME CHANGING CLIMATE BILL

BAKER URGED TO SIGN GAME CHANGING CLIMATE BILL

APPOINTED SOMERVILLE OFFICIAL SPURS OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC MOB SCENE

APPOINTED SOMERVILLE OFFICIAL SPURS OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC MOB SCENE

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • APPOINTED SOMERVILLE OFFICIAL SPURS OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC MOB SCENE by MARC LEVY
  • VIDEO: COP WHO BRAGGED THAT HE HIT PROTESTERS SHOWS HOW BAD APPLES THRIVE IN BOSTON by CHRIS FARAONE
  • INSIDE THE FIGHT TO DOCUMENT THE HORRORS AT AMERICA’S OLDEST WOMEN’S PRISON by SHELBY GREBBIN AND ISHA MARATHE
  • THE WSJ FEATURE ON WORCESTER’S POLICE CHIEF IS PURE COPAGANDA by BILL SHANER
  • STATE LOOKS TO SPEND $75K TO PREVENT FUTURE STORROWINGS by DAN ATKINSON

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

Footer

digbos

Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this lat Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this latest incarnation of a #beer that’s been in the making for months. https://digboston.com/video-jacks-abby-x-boston-celtics-pride-and-parquet-hoppy-lager-unboxing-tasting/ #fun #video #review #Boston #Massachusetts
Jostling for position and influence are the disadv Jostling for position and influence are the disadvantaged candidates, existing industry participants, and municipalities … https://digboston.com/the-road-to-home-delivery-pt-5-dogs-in-the-fight-identifying-the-players/ #cannabis #politics #analysis #Massachusetts
The candidates will be interviewed about the upcom The candidates will be interviewed about the upcoming race. https://digboston.com/wu-and-campbell-to-speak-at-mayoral-candidate-webinar/ #politics #mayor #campaign #Boston #Massachusetts
Participants took to the streets in the hope of sw Participants took to the streets in the hope of swaying the Biden administration. https://digboston.com/on-national-day-of-action-protesters-call-for-eviction-moratorium/ #housing #justice #protest #national #Boston #Massachusetts
“They refuse to respond to this humanitarian cri “They refuse to respond to this humanitarian crisis where people really need them. We’re just ignoring this problem and it’s getting worse and worse.” https://digboston.com/its-harder-than-ever-to-find-a-bathroom-in-boston-whats-the-city-doing-about-it/ #politics #unhoused #homeless #bathroom #public #health #Boston #Massachusetts
Environmental #justice and #climate change advocat Environmental #justice and #climate change advocates are pushing for its passage. https://digboston.com/baker-urged-to-sign-game-changing-climate-bill/ #environment #globalwarming #legislation #politics #Massachusetts
In short, it’s amazing. For details, check the # In short, it’s amazing. For details, check the #video … https://digboston.com/video-night-shifts-tea-party-is-subtle-love-for-people-who-hate-most-hard-teas/ #review #fun #beer @NightShiftBeer
HOW TO DEFEAT THE HARD RIGHT: Some thoughts on the HOW TO DEFEAT THE HARD RIGHT: Some thoughts on the Capitol attack and building a more democratic nation. The latest from DigBoston's @jasonpramas. https://digboston.com/how-to-defeat-the-hard-right/ #democracy #politics #Capitol #US #America #attack #Biden #Trump #grassroots #movement #analysis #strategy #MAGA
“Should Mayor Walsh be confirmed by the Senate, “Should Mayor Walsh be confirmed by the Senate, I am ready to take the reins and lead our city through these difficult times.” https://digboston.com/walsh-to-wash-janey-to-become-1st-black-boston-mayor-1st-woman-to-lead-city/ #politics #Boston #Massachusetts #BlackLivesMatter
APPOINTED #SOMERVILLE #OFFICIAL SPURS #OUTRAGE WIT APPOINTED #SOMERVILLE #OFFICIAL SPURS #OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC #MOB SCENE: Mayor Curtatone says “We’re taking it seriously and doing our due diligence” https://digboston.com/appointed-somerville-official-spurs-outrage-with-tweets-from-dc-mob-scene/ #politics #controversy #Massachusetts #Capitol #Congress #WashingtonDC #MAGA #Trump
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]