A NEW REALITY FOR FARMERS' MARKETS
Farmers’ markets are returning, but will look a bit different this year as they follow strict safety protocols from the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.
The Lindsay Farmers’ Markets will open with vendors selling food and farm products starting on Saturday May 30 from 7am to 1pm on Victoria Avenue, and on Thursday June 4 from 10am to 3pm at Wilson Fields on St. Joseph Street.
The Kinmount Farmers’ Market is going online. Starting later in June, it will begin to offer a new online e-Commerce market, where everyone will be able to place an order and pick it up in town Saturday mornings.
The Bobcaygeon Farmers' Market has started an online service as well. Some of their vendors are making curbside pick-up and/or shipping available to customers. Visit www.bobcaygeonfarmersmarket.com for more information.
Other Kawartha Lakes farmers’ markets are also considering their options and making plans for the summer, and have also been promoting their individual vendors, and encouraging customers to contact them directly for purchases.
While various forms of markets will be opening, the focus is on access to local food and farm products in a safe manner. Shoppers are reminded not to gather or loiter at the market. After making essential purchases, shoppers should return home so others may attend and to prevent large group gatherings from being formed.
Provincial protocols have been developed and supported by the Health Unit and municipality as well as the local farmers’ market associations to keep both customers and vendors safe. There are safety protocols in place, such as these from The Lindsay Farmers' Market:
If you are feeling ill, you should not visit the market. If you are healthy and wish to come, we ask that you follow the guidelines below so we can continue to stay open and keep everyone safe:
Follow the directions of market organizers
For the Saturday Market, shoppers are asked to enter and exit the market from the library parking lot only
For the Thursday Market, shoppers are asked to enter and exit the market from the east end of the parking lot only
Shopping will be one way only
Please only one shopper per household
Practise physical distancing by staying two metres (six feet) from other customers and vendors
If possible, use alcohol-based sanitizer after pickup at each vendor
Avoid touching your face
Customers are asked to not touch any products; vendors will be happy to assist you
Reusable bags are not permitted at the market at this time
Wearing a homemade (cloth) mask is optional; these masks will not protect you from the virus but may help prevent you from spreading the virus if you are asymptomatic
After returning home, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds
Absolutely no smoking at the market
Pets should be kept at home
The benefit of shopping at Farmers’ Markets is not just in the freshness of the products, but also in the opportunity to support local growers and bakeries who bring their products straight from their fields and kitchens.