Mauldin Farmers Market opens today, Greenville’s TD Essential Market opening this Saturday

The 2020 Mauldin Farmers Market opens today at 5 p.m., kicking off this week’s opening of several seasonal farmers markets throughout the Upstate. The market will be held at Mauldin Cultural Center on Tuesday evenings from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. through July 28. Dates are subject to change.

The Mauldin Farmers Market features a wide variety of vendors selling locally sourced and produced dairy, eggs, honey, gifts, clothing, produce, pastries and more.

Several health and safety precautions will be in place due to COVID-19 in accordance with social distancing orders put forth by the Governor of South Carolina, according to city officials. The Mauldin Cultural Center has removed beer/wine sales and live music from this year’s farmers market at the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture.

TD Essential Market in Greenville opens June 6

Also today, City of Greenville officials and event partners shared details for this Saturday’s opening of the TD Essential Market presented by Prisma Health. The temporary name change reflects a modified Saturday market that will offer fresh and local essential grocery items while still maintaining health and safety guidelines.

Each week, 42 vendors out of a total 81 will be onsite offering a variety of essential food items, including fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, meats, cheese and breads. The market will also include a rotation of specialty vendors featuring products such as honey, pasta, grits, granola, canned foods, pressed juices and sauces.

Market crafters will not be onsite at the TD Essential Market, however information on how to shop for their products will be available online and featured weekly on the market’s social media channels.

Entrances and exits for the market will be located on McBee Avenue. A limited number of shoppers will be allowed inside the market at a time to allow attendees to shop safely. There will be handwashing stations provided by Greenville Water at the market entrances and hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the event site.

Shoppers are asked to review the following guidelines before attending the market:

• Stay home if you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick
• Make a shopping list using the online list of participating vendors
• Wear a face covering for the safety of others (recommended)
• Watch for physical cues such as tape, cones and signs to maintain social distance
• Shop with your eyes only; vendors will handle items
• Use a credit card or exact change when possible

The TD Essential Market welcomes the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards and market shoppers who spend at least $5 on their EBT card will receive a free $15 token through July 31 and a free $10 token through October 31 for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. To use an EBT card at the market, shoppers can visit the market tent located at the intersection of Main Street and McBee Avenue.

TD Essential Market is open Saturdays, June 6 through October 31 (excluding October 10), from 8 a.m. until Noon on Main Street at McBee Avenue. Shoppers can park for free from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the lot next to Grill Marks, courtesy of Soby’s.

More Upstate seasonal farmers markets

Opening day of the Clemson Farmers Market is Thursday, June 4, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The market will be open, rain or shine, at Patrick Square Village Green, 578 Issaqueena Trail, Clemson SC 29631. More than 20 vendors will be on hand offering fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, specialty foods and products, and handmade arts and crafts.

Anderson County Farmers Market, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., 402 N Murray Avenue, Anderson, SC 29625

City of Fountain Inn Farmers Market, Saturdays 8 a.m. –12 p.m., Fountain Inn Commerce Park Pavilion, 110 Depot Street, Fountain Inn, SC 29644

Greer Farmers Market, Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Greer City Park, 301 E. Poinsett Street, Greer, SC 29651

Hub City Farmers Market, Saturdays 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at 498 Howard Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303

Simpsonville Farmers Market, Saturdays 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at City Park, 198 Park Drive, Simpsonville, SC 29681

Travelers Rest Farmers Market, Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Trailblazer Park, 235 Trailblazer Drive, Travelers Rest, SC 29690