COVID-19 and Virginia’s Farmers Markets Protocols

We believe that farmers markets provide vital food access services to our community, and we will continue to do so as safely as possible The health, safety and overall wellbeing of our farmers market community is always our top priority.

With this in mind, we have been closely monitoring the rapidly-changing situation around COVID-19 (commonly referred to as coronavirus), responding to new information as it arises and preparing for all possible scenarios, with the goal of farmer’s markets continuing to safely serve Virginia’s communities.

As the spread of COVID-19 has become a reality in Virginia, market operators are developing communications, preparing contingency plans and, in some regions, beginning to modify operations. Some public health officials may require that markets close until the outbreak diminishes.

To help market operators adapt to this rapidly changing economic and public health situation, the Virginia Farmers Market Association has compiled information and recommendations from farmers markets, state associations, health departments and the Centers for Disease Control.

Alaska: COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR FARMERS MARKETS

We believe that farmers markets provide vital food access services to our community.

Under the Governor’s Health Mandates, Farmers Markets, like grocery stores and supermarkets, are considered “essential businesses.” To help market operators adapt to this rapidly changing economic and public health situation, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Alaska Farmers Market Association have compiled information and recommendations from farmers markets, state associations, health departments and the Centers for Disease Control.

Nutrition Incentive Hub: COVID-19 Nutrition Incentives Response

This resource is intended to be a working document, comprised of practitioner perspectives and ideas. The attached information is not intended to be a formal endorsement of any practice. If you would like to provide input, email Abigail Warren at awarren@fairfoodnetwork.org.

Includes:

• Areas for Adaptation
• Opportunities & Resources

Safe Supply Field Guide

SAFE SUPPLY is an outdoor grocery store designed to support local food producers and provide communities with a safer shopping alternative during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INSIDE THE GUIDE:

• Vendor Guidelines
• Vendor Tent Layout Diagram
• Market Layout Diagram
• Things We Learned Along the Way

Oxford Community Market: Farmers Markets During Crisis

Ideas for Keeping Your Market Open & Safe

• Sample Safety Plan
• Not Business As Usual: Process of Elimination
• Communication: Reassuring Your Customers
• Communication: Supporting Your Vendors
• Create Vendor Guidelines For Your Market
• Creating Visual Cues to Enforce Safety Guidelines
• Streamlining Your Market Space
• Create Hand Sanitizing Stations
• The 6 Feet Rule
• Barriers: Managing the Entrance & Flow of Traffic
• Consider Offering Modified Online Ordering & Curbside Pick-Up

MIFMA: How to Clean SNAP Tokens

How to Clean SNAP Tokens

Hard surfaces can harbor bacteria and germs. Attached are some steps you can take to improve the cleanliness of your market’s tokens and protect the safety of your market’s customers, vendors, and staff.

Includes:

1. How to Clean Metal or Plastic Tokens
2. How to Clean Wooden Tokens

Penn State Extension/PASA: COVID-19 Guidelines for Farmers Markets (Checklist)

This is an open-source resource created by Penn State Extension in collaboration with Pasa
Sustainable Agriculture, to be used for developing guidelines that can be shared and modified
as needed to ensure safe operation of farmers markets that protect both vendors and
customers while providing essential food for the communities they serve.

Further guideline information can be found at https://extension.psu.edu/minimizing-risks-for-coronavirus-transmission-at-farmers-markets-on-farm-markets-you-pick-operations-and-produce-auctions.
Have other ideas or questions? Contact Hannah Smith-Brubaker at hannah@pasafarming.org
with ideas or questions regarding farm businesses, or Brian Moyer at bfm3@psu.edu with ideas
or questions regarding farmers markets.

Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG): COVID-19 Guide

Farmers’ Legal Action Group is a nonprofit law center dedicated to providing legal services and support to family farmers and their communities in order to help keep family farmers on the land.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented challenges for nearly everyone. At Farmers’ Legal Action Group, our top priority is supporting family farmers and their communities so that farmers can stay on the land. Although our offices are closed to the public during this crisis, FLAG’s attorneys and staff are working full time to help farm families face the stresses of dealing with COVID-19 and its legal and financial consequences.

FLAG’s most recent Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief can be found at the link below.

Updated Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief April 27, 2020

Also see a quick summary of COVID-19 relief for farmers below, published in collaboration with our partners at Farm Aid, the Indigenous Food & Agriculture Initiative, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, Rural Advancement Foundation-International, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

Navigating COVID-19 Relief for Farmers

WSFMA Gallery of Safe Farmers Market Photos

Washington State farmers markets are operating safely and in full compliance with public health
directives and other restrictions to protect the health of shoppers, vendors, and market staff.

This photo gallery of the Bellingham Farmers Market provides visual examples of the following:

• SIGNAGE
• SOCIAL DISTANCING
• LINE MANAGEMENT
• SANITATION
• MARKET BOUNDARIES
• ENTRANCE/EXITS
• PPE
• LOW CONTACT PAYMENTS

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Essential Services: State Declaration vs. CISA Guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce

Example of state declaration:  New York

“This guidance is issued by the New York State Department of Economic Development d/b/a Empire State Development (ESD) and applies to each business location individually and is intended to assist businesses in determining whether they are an essential business. With respect to business or entities that operate or provide both essential and non-essential services, supplies or support, only those lines and/or business operations that are necessary to support the essential services, supplies, or support are exempt from the workforce reduction restrictions.”

Executive Order 202.6

Example of state deference to CISA guidance:  Georgia

“Critical infrastructure means a business, establishments, corporations, non-profit corporations, and organizations labeled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as ‘essential critical infrastructure workforce’ in guidance dated March 19, 2020 and revised on March 28, 2020… The operation of Critical Infrastructure shall not be impeded by county, municipal, or local ordinance.”

Executive Order

Guidance and FAQs for Statewide Shelter in Place Executive Order