Homegrown Farmer’s Market set to make return

Normally at this time of year, Diane Kramski with the Moose Jaw Farmer’s Market would be putting the final touches on a new season, letting the vendors know what was up and getting things ready to go like any other spring opening.

But these aren’t normal times.

It was only this past Friday that Kramski received final word as to whether or not a Farmer’s Market would even be possible – and with the number of restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she’s been working steadily since to let everyone know just what’s up when things officially kick off.

“I found out Friday about 4 p.m. and I haven’t stopped until about an hour ago,” Kramski said with a laugh Monday morning. “With this virus and the guidelines and restrictions, it’s a lot to go through, then they keep adding on to them and changing things, so there are questions that have to be answered about that. It’s been hectic.”

The long list of official guidelines, rules and recommendations can be found at the end of this article, but safe to say, it’s going to make for a much different experience when folks stop by at the Market – which is located on Langdon Crescent between Cordova and Athabasca Street, across from the library and art gallery.

First and foremost? No handling items, unless you want to create a bunch of work for the vendors.

“If you have a bulk sale and someone touches a potato, you have to remove it right away and wash it,” Kramski said. “So I’ve messaged produce sellers and asked to have things pre-packaged just to be safe. It’s the same if you’re a crafter, if you sell aprons and you have them hanging up, if someone touches the apron, you have to remove it off your table immediately and sanitize it.

“So that’s why we’re asking for everything to be pre-packaged. Have a sample out, but keep everything else packaged, that way it’s safe and convenient for everyone.”

There will also be arrows in place to guide traffic safely, all booths must be two metres apart with distancing marked off for line-ups, all booths must have hand sanitizer along with a bucket of soap and water and a cloth. The streets will be blocked off, with sanitizer at booths at both ends.

Most importantly, all rules must be followed to the letter, simply to keep the market open,

“We going to be very harsh on our vendors this year,” Kramski said. “I’m saying if you don’t have hand sanitizer or a wash bucket, or your signs, you can not come in. If you’re sick, don’t bother showing up. Barricades will be up, rope will be out… we want to make sure we follow all the rules.”

Kramski hopes everyone will be understanding and continue to support the Homegrown Market.

“It depends on the people that come, how many will show up,” she said. “We just have to use our common sense and people have to understand that if we don’t follow these guidelines from the government, they can come and shut us down. Everything has to be labelled properly and everything has to be done a certain way. It’s crazy, but it’s what we have to do to be safe.”

The current list of guidelines includes:

• Table coverings are NOT ALLOWED.
   
• Craft vendors have to have a sign on they table DO NOT TOUCH. if a product that is not packaged is touched it has to be removed from your table. It is not mandatory but the government would like crafters to package their products.
   
• Customers can not bring in their own bags.
   
• Veggie vendors should pre package their products.
   
• Practice safe distancing minimum of two metres.
   
• Provide hand washing and hand sanitizer (MANDATORY). Vendors supply their own sanitizer and soap and water.
   
• All food has to be prepackaged and labeled properly even single items like cookies, tarts, muffins etc. VERY IMPORTANT, NO EXCEPTIONS.
   
• Food samples are NOT ALLOWED.
   
• Vendors selling food must post signs advising customer they are not allowed to eat food in the market area.
   
• All veggies have to be packaged.
   
• Vendors must increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfect of high touch surfaces.
   
• Vendors who are sick or symptomatic will not be allowed to attend.
   
• Where possible, create a cashless payment system through point of sale devices or e-transfer.
   
• Live entertainment is NOT ALLOWED.
   
• Picnic Tables are NOT ALLOWED.
   
• Customers must not use or provide their own containers including reusable cups,container and bags.

For more information and guidelines as they become available, keep in touch with the Farmer’s Market Facebook page or check out their website at mjhomegrownmarket.com.