Bradenton Farmers Market is ready to return. This is how COVID will make it different
It’s a Saturday tradition, bringing color, foot traffic, people watching opportunities, a bit of music, and more than 40 vendors to Old Main Street.
But this year the Bradenton Farmers Market will be a tradition with a difference. The market opens Oct. 3, with all planning revolving around keeping customers and vendors safe from COVID-19.
The Bradenton Farmers’ Market takes over Old Main Street, also known as 12th Street West, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, starting Oct. 3 through the end of May. Most of the street, starting at the Manatee County Administration Building to the vicinity of the City Centre parking garage, will be closed to motor traffic during the farmers market.
“The safety of customers, vendors, volunteers and staff remains our first priority. Many precautions have been taken to welcome people back to the market while remaining safe,” market manager Morgan Bettes said in a press release.
To ensure social distancing, the space between vendors will be increased, and the footprint of the market will be expanded to include portions of Third Avenue West and Fourth Avenue West.
Farmers’ market vendors, staff and volunteers will be required to wear masks, and, following federal, state, and local regulations, all patrons will be encouraged to wear them, too.
Musicians will return to the market, and will perform from behind an acrylic protector to ensure safe interactions.
Market special events and activities such as Chef at the Market, Kids in the Kitchen, and Halloween Pet Parade, have been suspended through the end of 2020, and will be re-evaluated as new information becomes available.
Many long-time favorite vendors are returning, along with some new vendors selling locally grown fruits and vegetables, artisan food products and handmade crafts.
“A customer code of conduct has been established for the Bradenton Farmers’ Market. We ask that all customers adhere to these expectations to ensure the market is a safe, healthy, and fun environment for all,” Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton, said in the press release.
The code of conduct includes expectations that customers stay at home if sick, and maintain social distance when shopping.
Other expectations include making a shopping list before visiting the market, not “shopping with your hands,” and purchasing what you touch. To encourage social-distancing and to reduce gathering, dog owners must leave their pets at home, except for service animals.
“In keeping mission to improve quality of life, we continue to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT cards. We are also members of the Fresh Access Bucks (FAB) network, which provides free Florida-grown produce to SNAP recipients by matching SNAP/EBT purchases, up to $40,” Bettes said.
The FAB program is being administered by Feeding Florida, Florida’s Food Bank Network.
For more information about the Bradenton Farmers’ Market, visit BradentonFarmersMarket.com.
This story was originally published September 15, 2020 at 11:23 AM.
