Guidelines issues for Farmer’s Market

By Staff, 04/27/20 9:49 AM

LITTLE ROCK – On March 26, the Secretary of Health issued a directive prohibiting the gathering of more than 10 people in any confined indoor or outdoor space.

The directive applies to any function that operates within an enclosed indoor  space. However, Farmer’s Markets are critical in ensuring Arkansans have access to healthy food options. Therefore, Farmer’s Markets that operate in an unenclosed outdoor space are exempt, but are limited to the sales of food products only. The sale of non-food items, including but not limited to crafts, live animals or clothing is not allowed at this time. Additionally, live musicians, performances, cooking demonstrations or other events where crowds may gather are not allowed. Farmers Market operators, vendors and customers are expected to maintain appropriate social distancing of at least six feet.

The following steps can be taken to limit the transmission of COVID-19:

Vendors who are sick should not attend the Farmer’s Market;

Customers should be limited to single shoppers only. Social and family group shopping should be discouraged;

Encourage vendors to offer a pre-order and delivery options to minimize the time customers are at the market;

Increase space between vendors to at least 10-feet;

Implement a “no self service” policy to discourage customers from touching produce;

Consider pre-packaging produce  to limit shoppers’ handling of food;

Care should be exercised while accepting payment. Hands should be washed or sterilized between payments;

Handwashing stations should be provided in the Farmer’s Market. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used where soap and water are unavailable;

Evaluate the flow of people through the market and consider routing changes that will promote travel in one direction and identify and eliminate areas where “bottle necking” may occur; and

Post signage at the market reminding customers of social distancing requirements and specific measures in place at the market.