THE FLORIDA FARMERS’ MARKET ASSOCIATION

Established in Summer 2018 the Florida Farmers’ Market Association connects the vast array of farmers markets in our state into one membership-driven network and provides training and resources for vendors, market managers, and consumers

Resources for Markets

As some markets across Florida have had to close due to COVID-19 concerns, the FFMA has created a map to help communities find ways to access fresh food in their area. Click on the map to find markets that remain open and farms and markets that have adapted to COVID-19 concerns by opening online ordering for pick up on farm, at market, and other pop-up locations as well as drive-thrus and delivery options.

If you are a farm, market or other outlet providing ways for you community to access local food and want to be included on the map, send us an email to FFMA@foginfo.org

Florida has declared farmers’ markets an essential service during COVID-19. In light of all of the health concerns around gathering, many markets across the state have decided to temporarily close their locations or make changes to their operations. Below the FFMA has put together a list of guidelines and precautions for farmers markets that are able to continue to operate during the pandemic. Thank you to all who are working hard to keep our communities safe and fed.

Markets:

Before opening or re-opening, talk with your vendors, market board, and local officials about how to do so safely
Limit vendors to essential services (such as food and personal care items)
Rethink and re-organize the market layout to encourage social distancing
Limit exits and entrances to help re-organize layout and manage/limit number of shoppers allowed into market at one time
Communicate clearly and on a regular basis with your vendors to ensure an understanding of your market’s new policies and procedures
Ensure that vendors and customers understand that they are not allowed to attend markets if they are sick or are showing any symptoms of COVID-19: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath. Managers should monitor vendors and customers and feel comfortable asking those showing any symptoms to leave immediately
Ensure that vendor stalls are spaced 6 ft apart
Waive any cancellation fees for vendors
Consider communicating new policies to customers through signage and handouts
Suspend tastings, demos, entertainment or anything else that gives the impression that markets are operating as business as usual.
Remove or block off any seating areas to encourage get-in-get-out shopping
Make hand washing and hand sanitizer stations available and encourage vendors to make sanitizer available at their stands
Consider helping vendors set up new ways to sell products including pre-orders, drive thru options, etc.

Vendors:

Vendors in high-risk categories, showing symptoms, or anyone knowingly in contact with someone with COVID-19 should stay home
Create clearly marked lines with 6ft spacing for shoppers and ensure a safe distance between yourself and customers during transactions
Minimize or eliminate the ability for shoppers to touch produce they are not purchasing
For vendor table set up, avoid materials that are not easily sanitized (i.e.: tablecloths)
Wear gloves and masks (and change gloves often!)
Dissenfect all market equipment thoroughly before and after market including tabletops, POS, cash boxes, etc.
Consider creating new ways for shoppers to purchase products including pre-orders, drive thru options, etc. and let your customers know how they can access your products

Shoppers:

If you are showing any symptoms, are in a high-risk category, or are in contact with anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 do not attend markets
Plan your shopping ahead of time to minimize time spent in the market. Get in and get out.
Practice social distancing. Stand 6 feet from everyone, use hand sanitizers, wash hands often and wash produce when you get home
Consider purchasing products from farmers and vendors through alternative avenues such as pre-orders, drive-thru options, etc. Ask vendors about these options

10% bleach mixture (bleach & water) is a good way to sanitize surfaces (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK214356/&sa=D&source=hangouts&ust=1587141028443000&usg=AFQjCNFVe-J7OksBhYirroOTq3CocNyJtA)

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