Modesto farmers market to open amid coronavirus crisis with these new safety measures
The Modesto Certified Farmers Market is set to start its season next week amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
After a two-week delay, the market will return Thursday, April 2. The popular open-air market in downtown Modesto was slated to open March 19, but it was postponed because of the COVID-19 outbreak. In a recorded message market management said they’ve used the “extra time to better prepare so that we may have the healthiest, safest community event we possibly can.”
Farmers markets have been deemed “essential businesses” and may remain open during the statewide stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week. This week the market management announced its official return date, plus a new list of guidelines and policies to keep people safe while shopping.
According to a Facebook post about the season opening, the market is considered an “essential food resource.” But it will have special restrictions placed on it for at least the month of April. The measures are meant to prevent over-crowding, encourage social distancing and stop cross-contamination.
Those include:
- No live music, community outreach booths, chef demos or in-person special events.
- No hot or freshly prepared food or drink booths or craft/artisan booths will be allowed. Prepacked food, including bread, will still be allowed.
- Produce vendors will be encouraged to prebag items for customers to purchase. If they elect not to prebag, they will be asked to handle and bag the food for each customer. Shoppers will be asked not to touch products and allow vendors to handle all merchandise.
- Sink stations will be placed around the market to allow customers and others to wash their hands.
- No more food or product sampling of any kind.
- Vendor booths will have different arrangements with only front-facing tables and no walk-in options.
- For CalFresh/EBT customers the machines will be wiped off between each transaction. EBT and Market Match coins will be sanitized between receipt and recirculation.
Market management indicated the new policies will only be applicable through the month of April, but said they would continue if needed through the season.
The market has also canceled its annual Easter egg hunt and upcoming craft event. The opening week giveaway will still move forward, but on social media rather than an in-person raffle.
For more information call 209-390-9098 or visit modestocfm.com.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 2:21 PM.
