While many businesses are being closed or are operating under restrictions and public events are being postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market will go on this Saturday.
Debbie Burns, the market’s general manager, says the market plans to keep serving its role as an important source for fresh food in the community.
“People should understand that products at the farmers market are coming directly from the farms where they were harvested. This means you are getting the cleanest product out there,” she said.
But the market is making some changes, including no longer allowing customers to handle products before buying them.
For the first time this season, some of the vendors will be moving outside the Farmers’ Market Pavilion, something that normally doesn’t happen until late April or May. And the pavilion’s garage doors will be opened to increase ventilation.
In addition, a portable hand-washing station will be set up in the southwest corner of the pavilion and a sanitizer dispenser will be set up. The cafes will no longer offer self-service, and utensils and condiments will be handed out. And the frequency of cleaning of door handles, tables and chairs will be increased.
The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market is also urging people to maintain a 6-foot distance from other people while shopping, wash their hands frequently and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables when they get home.
Burns said she expects about 45 vendors to be on hand Saturday morning, selling carrots, onions, beans, chile, eggs, lettuce, spinach, honey, meat products and even tulips.
She added that eating fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to strengthen your immune system.
Burns said last Saturday’s farmers market, which took place just days after many postponements and closures were announced, was a little slower than usual, “but our farmers pretty much sold out.”
The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market is held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday in the city’s Railyard district.
