News

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2020‍

RICHMOND, IN. – Starting Saturday, May 23rd, the Richmond Farmers Market will resume its normal 8am-noon hours every Saturday at Jack Elstro Plaza (47 N 6th Street, across from Morrisson-Reeves Library). Until June 13th, the Market will feature food, plants, and hygiene products for sale. Starting June 20, artisan and craft vendors will be added in, and then on July 4, hot food and entertainment will be welcomed back. All dates are contingent on COVID-19 progress indicators as outlined in Governor Holcomb’s Back On Track plan for the State of Indiana and the advice of County Health Officials.

We encourage the public to attend while complying with the following safety rules & regulations:

• To ensure that market attendance does not exceed 100 people at any time, all customers will enter and exit through one of two locations.
• From 8-9am, the market will have a limited opening for those over 65, those with compromised immune systems, and customers picking up pre-orders.
• To assist with social distancing guidelines, all vendors will be spaced 10 feet apart. 
• To ensure product safety for both vendors and customers, customers will not be able to touch products until after they have been purchased and bagged by the vendor. An extra table will be placed in front of each booth to help with social distancing, and vendors will help serve customers and answer any questions they may have. 
• Market staff are also requesting, if possible, that only one person per household attend.
• To limit the spread of germs,  we ask that all customers wear face coverings while at the Market. Additionally, handwashing stations and hand sanitizer will be available for customer use. 
• Restrooms will be open during the Market; however, capacity will be limited to 2 people at a time to facilitate social distancing.
  

All vendors will be required to comply with the following rules & regulations:

• All RFM staff and vendors must stay home if they are sick or have been exposed to anyone suspected/confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days
• Disposable gloves and/or in-booth handwashing stations are required for vendors
• Masks or face coverings are required for all vendors
• If possible, each vendor will designate one person who handles product, and one person who handles money
• No demonstrations or sampling of products will take place at the Market until further notice
• Point of sale devices will be disinfected regularly, and signature capture will be disabled. If signature capture cannot be disabled, vendors will use single use plastic coverings over the signature capture area.
• All vendors must use vinyl or plastic table covers, or forego table coverings altogether, for easy sanitizing
• All vendors will clean and regularly disinfect all “high-touch” surfaces such as tabletops, cash registers, counters, and handwashing sinks 
  

These guidelines were developed in consultation with recommendations from the CDC, Indiana State Department of Health, and Wayne County Health Department, in addition to thorough research into current best practices in place in farmers markets around the state and country. 

“We’re very excited to open back up and serve the public” said Caleb Smith, Market Coordinator. “We hope everyone will be patient and understanding as our vendors and staff adjust to our new procedures, and we thank everyone in advance for their support of local farmers during these uncertain times.”

Customers are highly encouraged to continue to use the new Online Farmers Market, which will be available throughout the summer. Found online at farmersmarket.richmondindiana.gov, customers can order products from any vendor signed up through the platform, and choose from options such as delivery, pickup, no-contact hand-offs, and more. Payment can also be made online, eliminating the need for any unnecessary contact for both customer and vendor. Orders can also be placed over the phone by calling (765) 983-7425 during business hours.

As the Richmond Farmers Market gears up for the season, the Reid Double Dollars SNAP program is still available for customers and vendors to utilize. This program allows anyone who receives SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) to have their money doubled when shopping at the Market. Customers must purchase SNAP tokens from the Market Coordinator, which can then be spent with any SNAP eligible vendor. 

If community members have any questions about the Richmond Farmers Market, the Reid Double Dollars program, or the Online Farmers Market, they are encouraged to visit richmondindiana.gov/resources/farmers-market or to reach out by emailing richmondfarmersmarketIN@gmail.com or by calling 765-983-7425.

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For questions, imagery, or for media requests, please contact the Richmond Farmers Market via the contact details below:

Caleb Smith
Richmond Farmers Market Coordinator
Richmond Parks and Recreation
2200 East Main Street | E: csmith@richmondindiana.gov
Richmond, IN 47374    |T: (765) 983-7425