Dear Friends of Westgate Farmers Market,
Over the past few months, the Westgate Farmers Market has been closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on our community. The safety of our staff, producers, volunteers, and customers remains our top priority. Farmers markets have been deemed essential services (and we think the market is essential to our community!) and have many benefits as food outlets, including a shortened supply chain, outdoor retail space, and non-permanent structures. These benefits all result in fewer hands touching food products, less confinement for shoppers, and more opportunity for sanitization. For these reasons among others, we believe that farmers markets should be the marketplaces to prioritize.
We kicked off our fifth season on June 6, 2020 and were thrilled to see so many community members there! We all came together to create a safe environment, and we hope that you will join us in observing that same level of care throughout the season. We ask our customers to continue to observe the following preventative:
If you feel ill or unwell, do not attend the market.
Wear a mask or cloth face covering. Masks or face coverings are required unless wearing one compromises your health and/or safety.
Only enter and exit the market at designated points (see map).
Upon entry, use the provided hand sanitizer.
Maintain the recommended distance of six feet from others. Markings and/or flags will be utilized to guide customers.
Do not touch any products. When you have identified the product(s) you want to purchase, ask the farmer or producer to collect and package the goods for you.
Recognize that market operators are attempting to limit the number of people in the market space at one time. If you are asked to wait for entry, be respectful and allow for safe distancing between you and other customers waiting for entry.
When possible, order directly from farmers and food producers for delivery or pick-up.
To curtail crowds, limit the number of household members who attend the market.
Limit your time spent at the market.
The Westgate Farmers Market and its producers care deeply about our community and always follow rigorous regulations to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protect our customers. During COVID-19, we will take the following additional precautions:
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM will be designated for high-risk shoppers only.
No cash will be accepted at the Market Information tent. All market vendors now accept credit cards and to prevent community spread, credit card is the preferred method of payment.
Entry to the market may be staggered to limit crowd size.
Vendor stalls will be spaced to ensure proper social distancing.
Vendors will be grouped by the type of product to expedite the shopping experience.
Vendors will use only new bags to package products.
Vendors will not use porous materials such as baskets or tablecloths for their displays.
No samples will be given unless individually prepackaged by the vendor.
To limit the number of people and the time spent at the market, there will be no music or special programs for the foreseeable future.
These procedures were developed based on best practices suggested by Columbus Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Farmers Market Coalition, and the Ohio Farmers Market Network, and we will continue to look to those organizations for guidance as this situation progresses.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us navigate this difficult time. Throughout the season, please check our social media platforms and website for up-to-date information. We hope to see you soon!
The Westgate Farmers Market Board
