Dear Belfast Farmers’ Market customers,
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak the Belfast Farmers’ Market will be moving to our outside location at Waterfall Arts THIS Friday, March 20, 9am-1pm.
The Belfast Farmers’ Market is deeply committed to community safety and in addition to moving outside vendors will be following a comprehensive list of new COVID-19 protocol. With public health as a top priority during the COVID19 outbreak the market has transitioned away from a social gathering hub to a place to efficiently pick up necessities from local producers.
In light of COVID-19, we ask that our customers adhere to the following best practices:
**UPDATE From May 1st: Janet Mills’ new executive order to “Stay Safer at Home” order goes into effect Friday, May 1st. Part of this order includes a requirement to wear a cloth face covering in certain situations, including outdoor spaces such as playgrounds, busy parking lots, and other areas such as lines for take-out service where the public typically gathers in a smaller area. The Belfast Farmers’ Market falls into this category so please be sure to wear a cloth face covering at market. **
-please do not come to market if you are displaying symptoms of COVID19, or have knowingly come into contact with anyone who is sick. Please have a neighbor shop for you or reach out to individual vendors for possible delivery options.
-please practice frequent hand washing (for at least 20 sec) or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol & avoid touching you face at market
-practice social distancing of at least 6 feet when possible, this includes while waiting in lines
-we ask that customers do not linger at market which includes taking their prepared food home “to go”
-remember to wear raincoats/ bring umbrellas so you don’t feel like you have to crowd under tents in inclement weather!!
-please only touch the food that you are buying
-the info tent will stay open for SNAP/EBT customers. In order to minimize the number of people touching clipboards, we are asking that info booth credit card customers bring cash or checks to market (some of the vendors also accept credit cards at their stand).
The good news is that COVID-19 is not a food-borne illness. It is unlikely that someone will catch it through eating. The virus is most likely to cause illness through respiratory transmission, not eating. The routes to be concerned about include being in very close proximity to many people or coming in contact with high touch surfaces.
Please note that Waterfall Arts is currently closed to the public. Belfast Farmers’ Market customers will not have access to the building.
The Belfast Farmers’ Market values the opportunity to provide nutritious, healthy, locally grown and produced food to our community. We believe that local food is safe food as it has passed through far fewer hands and facilities to get from our fields to your plates! Lastly, the market will continue to monitor CDC recommendations and respond accordingly.
Take care!
