The Nevada City Farmers’ Market in the time COVID-19

NEVADA CITY, Calif. April 1, 2020 – The Nevada City Farmers’ Market remains open.

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) have published guidelines for the operation of Certified Farmers’ Markets during the COVID-19 outbreak, naming farmers’ markets as essential food service businesses during this time of need.

The Nevada City Farmers’ Market will continue operations following the strict guidelines set forth by the CDFA and CDPH. As our community responds to the current public health crisis, maintaining access to fresh, local, healthy food is of critical importance.

Below are some of the measures that the NCFM is taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

● Spacing booths 6 feet apart and arranging the booths to encourage distance and direct the flow of customers.
● Encouraging display only tables for customers to view (not touch), having items for sale further back in the back that the vendor handles to prevent contamination. Pre-bagging produce/food as much as possible.
● Suspension of all food sampling.
● One hand washing station at the three entrances and volunteers directing and managing the flow of traffic in the market.
● Vendors are encouraged to have their own hand washing station and hand sanitizer. They’re encouraged to wear gloves and masks. Hand washing and sanitizing regularly.
● Vendors are encouraged to have a designated money handler.
● Signage throughout the market about social distancing of 6ft and flow of traffic.
● Frequent disinfection of surfaces.
● Eliminate all non-essential market vendors such as craft or non-food vendors, music, or other entertainment.
● Communicating with the public about precautions and best practices.
● Limiting the amount of people in the market at one time by having three entrances/exits that are monitored.

Because of the unique atmosphere of a Farmers’ Market, the open air, temporary nature, minimal produce handling, and outdoor space, all provide opportunities for access to safe and local foods. Supporting local farmers’ market vendors during this time of uncertainty also contributes a positive boost to the local economy. CalFresh/EBT will continue to be accepted.

For the full set of guidelines for “Retail, Food, Beverage, and Other Related Service Venues,” read here.

The upcoming dates of our market are: Saturday, April 4th, Every Saturday in May 9am-12pm in the Three Forks/DA Parking lot off of Union Street in Downtown Nevada City.