Having a "solitary occupation", life during COVID-19 has been largely unchanged for beekeeper Simon Knowles, but he's glad to be reconnecting with customers.
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The Chiltern Honey Farm owner was among stallholders at the first Rutherglen farmers market after a two-month virus shut-down.
"It's a funny situation, because it hasn't really changed my lifestyle," he said.
"At winter-time the bees sit where they are, so it's really maintenance for me during this time anyway.
"It's affected us insofar as sales; some shops we deliver to haven't had public access."
Mr Knowles' perfect record of attendance in the 10 years of the markets was broken by COVID-19.
The last market was March 8, and Victorian public health guidelines around markets were lifted from May 31.
Destination Rutherglen executive officer Alexandra Campbell said hand sanitiser, packaged food and eftpos facilities helped to make the market safe.
"Normally we'd have a jumping castle and tables and chairs; we don't have that obviously, and we're encouraging social distancing," she said.
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"We wanted to give back to the community and start off in a low-key way.
"A lot of the producers were busting to come back; we want to make supporting local available for people in Rutherglen.
"I think Rutherglen locals are appreciative."
