For farmers' markets

COVID-19 has brought many changes to our community, including the operation of farmers’ markets. The following are recommendations as the markets return to a new normal. 

  • Vendors should stay home if they are sick and remind customers on social media sites to stay home if they are sick

Drive-thru Farmers’ Markets

  • If logistically possible, the drive-thru mode of operation is the best option to reduce potential spread of disease at this time
  • Post signs to indicate the correct direction of traffic and use a one-way traffic flow
  • Space vendor stands more than 6 feet apart

Walk-up Farmers’ Markets

  • Create entry/exit points that serve as crowd flow
    • Arrows made from chalk or signs indicating one-way traffic
    • Customers enter and walk one way through the market, decreasing the chance of customers getting too close to one another
  • Encourage the proper use of cloth face coverings. As of July 16th, masks are required in public places inside the Springfield city limits. Click here for masking ordinance FAQs
  • Place a hand sanitizer station or temporary hand washing station at the beginning of the market
  • Increase social distancing between non-related customers while shopping and paying
    • Place reminder 6 feet social distancing signs (click here for a printable sign)
    • Mark customer lines at each vendor with chalk or other method at each vendor booth

General Market Information

  • Increase space between booths
  • Goods and payment exchange
    • Encourage farmers to use separate employees to accept payment and restock tables
    • Direct hand to hand contact should be avoided during the exchange of goods and money
    • If hands or customer bags are touched, the vendor should wash hands immediately
    • Disinfect tokens with an EPA approved disinfectant (e.g. 4 teaspoons of plain bleach per quart of water in spray bottle or 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water)
  • Each vendor needs to have hand sanitizer or a temporary hand washing station
  • Provide additional hand washing stations throughout the market area
  • Vendors who sample or prepare foods need to have the food prep areas blocked off from customers
  • Increase cleaning frequency of tables and payment devices with disinfectant that is EPA approved
  • Postpone live music performances and special events
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Example photos provided by an out-of-state farmers’ market.