CORRALES, N.M. – Things are getting back to normal now that the Corrales Growers’ Market is returning to full operation. Starting on Wednesday July 22, the market will offer both weekend and mid-week markets, as they have done since 2003, according to Corrales Growers’ Market President Bonnie Gonzales.
During the beginning of the spring harvest season, the market was limited in how it could operate due to public safety concerns, she said. To keep the market open, the Corrales Growers’ Market utilized a drive-thru Sunday market from April until May 31 when it announced via Facebook that the market would open again as a walking event. It was very important to the Corrales Growers Market to stay open right as the first harvests were coming in.
“We really were focused on, one, making sure that we provided a consistent marketing facility for our producers, because they need reliable access to the source of income,” said Gonzales. “Our second goal is to make sure that we’re providing reliable access to local foods for our communities.”
While some markets utilize a lot of entertainment as a part of their business, Gonzales said the Corrales Growers’ Market has always been food focused. This allowed them to operate as an essential business and prevented market cancellations.
One alternative to the standard growers’ markets has been community-supported agriculture subscription services. These are relatively new in New Mexico though, and not yet intuitive for many vendors like Russell Trujillo of Corrales Classic Farms. He said the logistics of it are not always simple as being able to operate at the local market. Trujillo has partnered with one local delivery group, but says he still prefers the traditional method of sale.
“It’s just easier for us to just stay here and just, you know, try to get the products out from the house and the local growers’ market,” said Trujillo.
Most regular visitors to the Corrales Growers’ Market have returned according to both Trujillo and Gonzales, with new faces coming to shop as well. Gonzales says the member operated market is confident in resuming its Wednesday business, and it will give growers more opportunity to earn revenue.
