You and the farmers in your community
have something the other one needs during
this pandemic.

Families are cooking at home more often, so they need fresh produce and meat. And farmers—and anyone who is trying to stay in business while everyone is limiting trips to the store—need your support to keep their heads above water.

To stay safe while visiting a local farmers market, keep a few commonsense precautions in mind:

1. Do some research before you go. Call around and ask the organizers what measures they are taking to keep their customers and vendors safe. Are they enforcing social distancing? Requiring masks for entry?

2. Shop at an open-air market rather than an enclosed one.

3. Avoid the rush. Schedule your visit during off-peak hours, like first thing in the morning. If you arrive and find that the market is overly crowded, abandon the trip.

4. Shop alone so you don’t contribute to overcrowding. If you do bring a friend or family member, split up so each of  you covers half of the booths.

5. Don’t touch anything that you don’t intend
to buy.

6. Do not taste any free samples.

7. Wear a mask and stay 6 feet from the people around you.

8. Look for pre-bagged items, which have been handled by fewer people than loose produce.

9. Sanitize your hands as soon as you’re finished shopping.

10. Thoroughly wash the produce you buy as soon as you get home.