Glove-wearing vendors also took steps to prevent large queues forming, and where there was more than one till in an outlet, they were separated to lessen physical contact.
Retired researcher Wayne Sutherland and his wife Brenda were pleased the market was still going on Saturday, after many other gatherings had been postponed and cancelled, to limit the spread of Covid-19.
"This is a good place.
"You meet friends.
"You can try a product out here and see people," Mr Sutherland said.
Mrs Sutherland was also attracted by the "fact that the food is fresh", and customers could talk to the people who had produced it.
Evansdale Cheese owner Pablo Dennison said, "It’s a wonderful life here" and he had benefited hugely in many ways from the market, which has been running for 17 years.
"We form some incredible relationships with people."
Some youngsters he had first seen in the arms of their parents were now walking into the market as customers themselves, at the age of 16, he said. John Preedy, who owns Ettrick Gardens with his wife, Heather, said he was one of the market’s first stallholders — "I’ve been in this since the first day".
He said he hoped the Farmers Market would continue to operate and greatly enjoyed "interaction with the customers, the direct selling", he said.
Market general manager Kate Vercoe said the market had become an important social habit for buyers.
Selling food was also an essential service, which was why the market was still open, but trust organisers were taking increasing precautions, including limiting numbers in the market at any one time.
The Saturday market often attracted 8000 to 8500 people, but 6400 had attended the previous weekend.
About 3000 arrived on Saturday, some people possibly deterred by the rain.
Stall-holder numbers were down from about 70 to about 60.
The stalls provided fresh seasonal fruit, vegetables and other natural products, and customers "really, really value" talking with the people who grew and made it.
"It’s a friendly face.
"We’ve got customers who have been coming every week for 17 years.
"It’s like whanau, it’s family. It’s important."
The market also provided crucial support for small food growers and producers, and the trust that ran the market was constantly reviewing safety requirements — "we’re very aware that safety is of the most importance".
Saturday’s fruit and vegetable trading and gone "very, very well" and it was important for buyers to maintain links with vendors, who had become their friends.
"It’s not social isolation, it’s physical isolation," she said of coronavirus precautions.
"We need each other."
john.gibb@odt
