Washington Farmers’ Market announces new policies

WASHINGTON - Main Street Washington has released details about the ins and outs of this year's farmers' market.

In a news release, Main Street's executive director Sarah Grunewaldt said that the Washington Farmers' Market Advisory Committee is excited to start the season, but 'obviously very concerned with the safety of both our vendors and our customers.” She said this will not be the year of 'our social market,” and that customers are asked to keep their distance and not to linger in Central Park.

The market is tentatively scheduled to open on June 4 from 5-7 p.m. This may change depending on proclamations or advice from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and local public health officials.

Pre-orders

In an effort to serve the public without exposing them to a large crowd, an online pre-order system will be set up for those who wish to purchase produce from vendors and pick it up on Thursday evenings. There will be designated contactless pick up spots on the north side of Central Park that will be marked. Customers are asked to pull up in their vehicle, and a farmers market volunteer will assist them. This will be launched the week leading up to June 4th and open for several days. The order system will be closed before Thursday to allow vendors to fulfill those orders and have them available for the market on Thursday evening.

Grunewaldt said details are being ironed out now on this system. Those who wish to sell at the market are asked to contact Grunewaldt at 319-653-3918 or via email at sarah@washingtoniowa.org.

In-person market

The advisory committee will limit access points to the market, and will set up a single direction for shopping. Benches and picnic tables will not be available.

'We cannot allow people to linger or eat in the park,” Grunewaldt said. 'Please follow the signs and maintain a 6-foot social distance when waiting to shop at a vendor.”

Grunewaldt said the committee will publish a map with entrance locations, directions and vendor locations to help customers shop more efficiently.

Best practices

The advisory committee has published a list of best practices for both customers and vendors. Those who are ill are asked to stay home. Masks are strongly encouraged for customers and required for vendors. Only one member of a household will be admitted to shop, and no children under 16 will be allowed.

Customers will not be able to handle products. They must stay 6 feet back from the vendors and other customers. They will point to a product they like, which the vendor will bag for them. At the same token, vendors will need two people at their booth, one to handle money and another to fill customer orders. Vendors are asked to sanitize their stations and hands frequently. In particular, vendors must spray their table with a cleaning solution of one-third a cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.

For those vendors who are selling ready-to-eat food, it must be packaged for consumption offsite. Furthermore, the only products allowed are food products or those that help fight the transmission of the virus such as soaps, hand sanitizers, and masks. Other handmade items and crafts will not be allowed.