Farmers Market Health and Safety for Vendors, Customers, and Volunteers
Updated Thursday, April 28, 2021:
The Missouri Department of Agriculture determined that, along with grocery stores, farmers markets may continue to operate and are an Essential Business. Additionally, the US Department of Homeland Security provides a list of exempt, essential industries, which include food and agriculture. Farmers markets are included in this list as essential retail outlets for food purchase.
We cannot express enough our gratitude to our local, state and federal officials in recognizing that farmers markets are an essential food resource for our communities. Now more than ever, we see the importance of our local food systems through the work our farmers are doing to keep us nourished and healthy. It is critical that our food supply chain maintain – and even be prepared to expand – operations throughout this pandemic.
We believe that the DeSoto Farmers’ Market is an essential food resource and plays an integral part in our local food system and economy. Many of the precautions recommended by the CDC to reduce transmission of COVID-19 are things our vendors already know. Safe food handling is an important practice required by all vendors. Things like staying home when you’re sick, rigorous hand washing, proper cough covering, etc. are all things our expert vendors have practiced until they are second nature. All vendors are required to abide by all food safety laws and regulations. Our vendors are taking extreme food safety precautions, and the market will have increased sanitation stations at the market.
Customer Safety Guidelines
We encourage our customers to take these simple steps to help keep your family safe:
- Farmers markets are all about interacting and visiting with your community, but first and foremost we are a food resource. To that end, please limit your human interactions to a wave.
- Please practice social distancing by keeping a distance of 6+ feet from other customers and vendors.
- All customers will be encouraged to wear masks at the market and use hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving the market.
- Do not pick up and touch items. Vendors will pick up and bag items for you.
- Wash all produce thoroughly before using it.
- If you are sick, please stay home and ask a friend or family member to pick things up for you at the market instead.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- If you need to sneeze or cough, sneeze or cough into a tissue or into the crease of your elbow.
We are monitoring this and are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all shoppers. We encourage you to visit the CDC website for updated information and safety precaution tips at cdc.gov.
This page will be updated with information as this situation continues to develop. Thank you for your continued support and understanding!
-DeSoto Farmers’ Market Staff, Steering Committee, and Get Healthy DeSoto Board of Directors