COVID-19 Safety at the Farmers Market

face covering

On March 23, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker issued an Order Assuring Continued Operation of Essential Services in the Commonwealth. As designated in the list of “COVID-19 Essential Services,” farmers markets are essential and may remain open under the guidelines ordered by the Commissioner of Public Health.

What to Expect   

  • Any person over the age of 2 years must wear a face covering or mask at all time, including market staff and vendors.
  • Children must stay with caregivers at all times.
  • Entry and egress points will be clearly marked. Find the 2020 market layout here.
  • Everyone must practice social distancing, maintaining a distance of at least 6-feet apart from one another. 
  • Market staff may need to limit the number of visitors inside the market to meet social distancing requirements.
  • The number of vendors may be reduced to facilitate social distancing.  
  • Vendors must handle all items until your purchase is complete. Point and tell vendors what you would like to buy.
  • Vendors may not provide samples for tasting or eating inside the market.
  • Vendors may not handle reusable bags.
  • If and when possible, vendors and shoppers are encouraged to use a card or mobile app as payment. However, market tokens will be accepted by vendors and may be purchased at the Market Manager’s tent with an EBT or debit card. Tokens should be purchased only when needed.

Shopping Guidelines

In addition to the above, market management asks that shoppers respectively adhere to the following guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Use hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds when entering the market.
  • Please be patient and be prepared for the likelihood of longer wait times.
  • Please shop alone and leave pets at home, if and when possible.
  • Please leave reusable bags at home or in your vehicle. Vendors may not handle reusable bags.
  • Please use a card or mobile app as payment, if and when possible.
  • For EBT shoppers, HIP (Healthy Incentive Program) payments are strongly encouraged to reduce the handling of SNAP tokens. For help finding a participating HIP farm, please ask market staff.
  • If you feel sick, stay home!