Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Vernon Farmers' Market
April 21, 2020 - 11:31 AM
After receiving the green light from the authorities, the Vernon Farmers' Market is set to open next week.
In its 41st year in operation, the market will reopen April 27, albeit with fewer vendors, wider gaps between stalls and other coronavirus protocols put in place.
While the market won't have the usual stable of craft stalls, seating or buskers, it will still be offering the public fresh local food direct from the source.
"It's farm to market to table," Vernon Farmers' Market manager Ingrid Baron told iNFOnews.ca. "Whereas a lot of other food goes through a lot more hands... our supply handling is a lot shorter than anyone else... we just feel its safer it the first place."
The outdoor market, held in the parking lot of Vernon's Kal Tire Place, will still run every Monday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. as normal, but Interior Health has barred non-food products from being sold. The market will still sell food, food products and liquor. Concession stands with also be open, although seating has been removed.
Baron said there will be around 25 stalls, instead of the usual 40, to start with, but as the season continues and more produce becomes available more vendors will appear.
She said COVID-19 measures have been put into place, with larger spaces in between stalls, separate entry and exit points, hand washing stations and several other measures.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets launched an online portal allowing customers to purchase produce virtually.
Other farmers' markets have already started with the Kelowna Farmers' Market opening April 5, and the Kamloops Farmers' Market April 18.
For more information on the Vernon Farmers' Market go here.
For information about farmers' markets across the region go here.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2020