Farmers Markets and COVID-19 – Tips and Tools

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Taylor in Business, Community Development, Farmers Markets, Farming Resources, Food Safety, Food Systems, Local Food, Marketing, Planning, Policy, Publications // 0 Comments

Here is a list of tips, tools, ideas, and safety information about Farmers Markets and COVID-19

The Farmers Market Coalition is a national organization dedicated to strengthening farmers markets across the United States so that they can serve as community assets while providing real income opportunities for farmers. They have an entire section of their website dedicated to information about farmers markets and COVID-19. As concerns about the spread of COVID-19 grow, farmers market operators are wondering how best to respond, and the Farmer’s Market Coalition is responding. They will be regularly updating their website with news announcements and updates as the situation continues to unfold. They have also put together a compiled Best Practices, Examples, and Resources page for tips for your market operations.

The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services has published a publication about farmers markets and COVID-19: Guidance for Farmers Markets

The Virginia Farmers Market Association has published a guidance document about operating farmers markets during the COVID-19 outbreak: https://vafma.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-Protocols.pdf.

Ohio State University has published a webinar about a the drive-thru farmers market model being used in Ohio and Nevada. It can be accessed at https://zoom.us/rec/play/tJd4fuj6_2g3T9fBsgSDA_J6W9S-JqusgSEf_vQOmhzkAHRSN1OiYLAWZreZ_LXeye_6laACQhCPrwhP

The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association has created a COVID-19 Farmers Market Advocacy Toolkit to help communities advocate for farmers markets to remain open during emergency orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. While some information is specific to the Carolinas, there’s enough information that’s similar to what most areas are facing that it will translate (or at the very least, get the wheels turning on what’s worked elsewhere). Here’s a video on how one market is doing things in Western North Carolina if you want an example.

The Oregon Farmers Market Association as published a list of policies and resources at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JHZRWVO17vxC9BqLVupdLNzZ19TTT-ZLXlkSFo74koc/edit#

COVID-19 Safety Protocols For Food Distribution & Purchases March 2020 – Continually updated document providing food safety protocols for farmers markets, small farms, and food vendors: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g0_Ey8DG2INnIk2aWYunGP-OLE–W32eVzN3evyPmLo/edit

Find a webinar on physical redesign of farmers markets in response to COVID-19 at https://zoom.us/rec/play/6cF_fu-g_T83E4KRtwSDAf8rW9Tsfays2iIX-vdYzRq2BXEBZAKiYucTZOuaPkI6uaKM9pN7-9odNkiM?continueMode=true

An important recent article from La Via Campesina helps to frame the issue: Protect the market access of small and medium-scale farmers and peasants in these difficult times. Here is an excerpt: “…In this scenario where policy makers, multinational companies and large food retailers are panicking about how they will continue to transport food without worsening the spread of the virus, political decision makers at all levels cannot afford to forget the role of small and medium farmers… For them to do so, national, regional and local institutions and authorities have a key role to play in ensuring that citizens have access to these products. Public policies must be concrete and focus on supporting and protecting small producers and strengthening the local economy.”