This post was published on March 9, 2020, and will be updated as new information becomes available.
As concerns about the spread of COVID-19 grow, farmers market operators are wondering how best to respond. Markets are grappling with their role as public gatherings that are vital to food access for consumers and the livelihoods of farmers.
In response, market operators are developing communications, preparing contingency plans, and in some regions, beginning to modify operations and considering closures. To offer a point of reference for our members, we have compiled information and advice from farmers markets, state associations, health departments and the Centers for Disease Control. Given the hyper local nature of farmers markets, the needs of one community may be vastly different from that of another. We recommend keeping up to date on your community’s status through your local public health departments. The actions that you take should be predicated on the situation locally.
Stay Informed
Farmers market operators should consult their local health departments for up to date details in their community. Read the updates and recommendations available on their website and sign up for any alerts being offered by local or county-level health officials. The CDC has issued interim guidance for large public gatherings with useful steps. Highlights include:
Establish relationships with key community partners and stakeholders such as local health departments and collaborate with them on broader planning efforts.
Promote the daily practice of everyday preventive actions. Use health messages and materials developed by credible public health sources such as your local public health department or CDC to encourage your event staff and participants to practice good personal health habits.
Provide prevention supplies at your events. Plan to have extra supplies on hand for event staff and participants, including sinks with soap, hand sanitizers, tissues.
Discourage people who are sick from attending events.
Identify actions to take if you need to postpone or cancel.
Some cities and states have declared states of emergency in response to COVID-19. While a state of emergency sounds concerning, it is primarily a procedural step that allows state and local health officials to access additional resources for identifying, treating and preventing the spread of the disease.
Market Operations
Market leaders and stakeholders should discuss options like the ones below to mitigate exposure and outbreak risks. It might not be necessary for your market to take all of these steps immediately, but you should be determining at what point your market will begin to implement operational changes.
Consider limiting demos and samples to decrease opportunities for cross contamination
Reducing or suspending penalties for last minute vendor cancellations
Invite local health departments to attend market days for educational opportunities.
Follow simple CDC rules for washing hands and not touching faces. Add additional hand washing facilities for vendors and customers. Have signs posted as a reminder.
Make sanitary gloves required for market staff who handle money, tokens, or vouchers and remind staff about hand washing procedures. Masks are not recommended for healthy adults unless they are caring for someone with COVID-19, market staff may ask about their use. Referring staff to information from trusted sources on mask usage may help reassure them.
For markets that are required to close, consider temporarily redesigning market locations to allow for pre-ordered items to be picked up at the usual market times or other alternative distribution methods.
Communications with customers/media/the public
Farmers market operators and supporters should make the case for markets to remain open wherever possible. Farmers markets are essential to the livelihood of farmers and food access, not just a social gathering. While markets may need to close in extreme circumstances such closures could be disastrous for both farmers and the shoppers who rely on the market.
Provide customers with relevant, up-to-date information without alarming them unduly.
Emphasize that protecting public health is paramount to your market and describe any changes to market procedures to prevent the spread of infection. The virus is thought to be spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can be killed using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Stringent cleaning and disinfecting procedures around the market and food safety protocols can help decrease opportunities for viral transmission. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food. Before preparing or eating food it is important to always wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds for general food safety.
Farmers markets may offer advantages over other outlets. Vitamin D has been shown to help the body fight colds and flu, time outdoors can help boost the immune system, and studies have shown that fresher produce has more nutrients.
Some public officials are recommending people have supplies on hand in the event that they become sick or quarantines are put in effect. For customers who feel the need to stock up on food products, encourage them to do so at the farmers market. Emphasize items that store well and prepared meals that can be frozen.
If markets do need to close, ensure that customers and vendors know that the market will be closed as early and through as many channels as possible.
Communications with vendors
Remind vendors of sanitary methods for handling money and food, and sampling. The FMC resource library has examples including the one from the Marin Farmers Market Association.
Communicate about changes to market procedures. Consider setting up a phone or text tree to get information out as quickly as possible to all vendors.
Plan with vendors how the market will determine if it is appropriate to close and any alternative sales method that may be available. Share planned closure communication strategy and channels in advance.
Prepare vendors for the possibility of smaller crowds at market.
Communications with vendors
We encourage markets to support and update each other by sharing resources, ideas, and examples of communications via the FMC listserv
We hope that this information proves useful as you respond to this evolving situation. Here are the Farmers Market Coalition we will continue to track and share information about the latest situation with COVID-19.
Resources
CDC:
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019
Handwashing Guidelines
Example Communications:
Keeping Hollywood Farmers Market safe and healthy
Food Safety:
Marin Farmers Market Handwashing and Sampling Requirements
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