From the Broad Ripple Village Association:

We received notification from Indianapolis Public Schools that they will not allow the Market to set up at Broad Ripple High School until the Governor relaxes restrictions on social distancing. We were surprised by their decision since the Governor has deemed farmers markets an essential service, but we are pleased that they are willing to host us again once restrictions are lifted.

Fortunately, while waiting for their response, we activated Plan B to come up with an alternate location. Our intention is to have a temporary location secured prior to our planned May 2 opening date (SEE UPDATE BELOW). We will keep you posted on our progress. No matter where the new location is, we will comply with the Marion County Health Department's COVID-19 restrictions for farmers markets.

Therefore, we have developed new protocols with the goal of maintaining social distance and preventing transmission of COVID-19. These protocols comply with restrictions, and are based on best practices implemented at markets across the country as well as our current experience with our own Winter Market.

- NO EATING OR DRINKING AT THE MARKET: For now, we will not have any ready-to-eat food, beverages, or sampling of vendor products at the Market.

- SINGLE ENTRANCE/EXIT TO THE MARKET: To assure there is enough space at the market to permit safe social distancing between customers, the number of persons allowed into the Market at one time will be limited.

- PRE-ORDERS ON VENDOR WEBSITES: To minimize wait times for all customers, pre-orders are highly encouraged. Experience with pre-ordering at the Winter market has been positive for both customers and for vendors.

- NO DOGS ALLOWED: Sadly for them and for us, our dog visitors are asked to stay home to help us achieve our social distancing and safety requirements.

- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: For the protection of all our customers, vendors, and volunteers, we are strongly encouraging everyone attending the Market to wear a face mask. (See links below for making your own.)

These protocols will be new to all of us - customers, vendors, and volunteers - and we will need everyone's help to implement them successfully. Some protocols will likely need to be modified as we gain experience with them.

We'll have more details for you as we get closer to Opening Day. Please stay tuned via our e-newsletter, website, Facebook page, or Instagram for new information and updates.

New Home for the Broad Ripple Farmers Market!

It's official, the Broad Ripple Farmers Market has a new home! The new location is 6179 Rural Street (the parking lot east of Rural across from Glendale Town Center). Thanks to the generosity of Kite Realty, the BRVA was able to secure an on-time opening of the BRFM on May 2, 2020 for the summer season.

For over a decade, the BRFM has operated out of the parking lot behind the now-closed Broad Ripple High School. On April 17, IPS decided to discontinue this facility rental temporarily due to COVID restrictions. Since then the Broad Ripple Village Association has partnered with Kite Realty to secure a secondary location. There is a chance we will move back to our usual location at BRHS, so stay tuned as everything evolves.

Many significant operational modifications have been made to comply with COVID guidelines. The safety of our customers, vendors and volunteers will continue to be the top priority. We are grateful for the efforts of BRFM Market Master Barbara Wilder and her committee in ensuring that the BRVA can still provide this essential service to our community. See the details and stay updated on changes here.

The Broad Ripple Farmers Market is important to our community for myriad reasons. BRFM vendors provides fresh, healthy, local food to thousands of families, including those who are economically challenged and using programs like SNAP. Additionally, dozens of growers and food vendors across the state depend on BRFM sales as their primary income, making our market economically vital.