ROS’S RAMBLINGS

What a Year! Nobody knew at the beginning of 2020 what a wild ride the whole world would experience but here we are – looking over our shoulder and hoping for better days ahead.

With this being the last newsletter of 2020 it just seemed appropriate to express my deep gratitude to both our vendors and customers for sticking it out this year. Any of us could have been paralyzed with fear with the first covid lockdown and just quit.

Just thinking about some of the stuff that has gone on behind the scenes I thought I’d share a bit. Some of this you will be familiar with, some maybe not. Mid March when everybody expected to die (of course I’m exaggerating, but maybe not much) we made the counter intuitive decision to stay open with some procedural adjustments.

It wasn’t very long afterwards I got wind that the State Farmer’s Market Authority was recommending procedures similar to ours – very interesting considering that they monitor our Facebook pages! About the same time Wendy (Avalon Farms) and I shared the M@D business model and our and safe pickup practices in a Zoom meeting for farmer’s market managers from other Alabama cities. Between the two of us we were able to explain both the technical and practical aspects of M@D that keep everything working. One of those managers actually visited us and got the Friday morning experience!

Thinking about it, to me the technical and procedural aspects everybody was so interested in merely provide a framework for what’s really important – serving each other. Because what makes Market at Dothan special is GOOD PEOPLE. And the longer I open & close the market, print reports, answer emails, write checks and send out newsletters every week, the more I realize that at the end of the day it’s about serving our fellow man. And each of you, in your own way whether as a customer or vendor, do your part as we serve each other. I am SO GRATEFUL. I could have never dreamed of a job that I would love so much, and the reason is getting to work with and be a little part of your lives.

So Merry Christmas and I hope that with all the troubles and trials and sorrows you have endured this year that you find and experience true JOY this beautiful season.

Ros

FOOTNOTES

We would love to hear from you! If you have a favorite recipe, want to write a product review, have an idea or request for an article or information, let us know! You can reply to this newsletter or write marketatdothan@gmail.com.

Our COVID protocol is still in place for everyone who wants curbside service.

I. Order Payment:
1. Voluntarily prepay by 6 pm Thursday if possible using this PAYPAL link. This eliminates passing paper currency back and forth or handling debit/credit cards on site. Your invoice will be marked PAID and pickup is fast and easy. In the event of undelivered items you will be issued a Market credit that will apply to your next order.
2. Debit/Credit – One of us will briefly step within 6 feet for you to put your card in the chip reader. We do our best to avoid touching your card or you touching the equipment which means we sign an “x” for your signature.
3. Cash and Checks – You may hand them to us. Exact change is preferred if using cash to prevent a lot of passing back and forth. If you choose curbside pickup you are welcome to put payment in your trunk/tailgate as that would eliminate the need to come near your window.

II. Order Delivery:
1. Curb Service: Please pull up next to the Market Shed. We will direct traffic a little bit if needed. Have your trunk/ hatchback open and we’ll load you up!
2. Walk Up Pickup: Please do not come inside. When we see you coming we’ll put your order near the entrance and step back for you to claim it. This system works really well for those of you wishing to get extra veggies that may be available.
3. Regardless of how you choose to accept your Market order please know that we make every effort to practice safe distancing and ask that you do the same.

We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!