Del. Farmers’ Markets allowed to reopen beginning May 15th
DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced on Monday that Delaware farmers’ markets will be allowed to safely open starting May 15th.
DDA says they are issuing protocols, which will be in place until further notice, to allow the markets to safely begin reopening to allow farmers to sell produce, specialty crops, and other value-added food items that have been directly grown or raised on a farm or prepared in a permitted on-farm kitchen.
Farmers’ markets will no longer be considered a social venue, meaning there will be no social gatherings, no entertainment shows or activities, no food trucks or prepared food for consumption on-site, no on-site food preparation or sampling, no demonstrations, and no pets allowed except for service animals.
Depending on the market, they may operate a walk-through or drive-through market. All customers will be required to wear face coverings, and a maximum of two people per household will be allowed to enter the market to shop. On arrival, customers will check in at the entrance with market staff, and if the market is at capacity, the customer will be given instructions on how they will notified when they can go in to shop.
All customers will be required to enter through a specific entrance and will leave at a separate designated exit. The markets will be one way, and no doubling back to shop at a vendor will be allowed. Social distancing will be required, and vendors will not have their product available where people can touch or handle the product. Customers will have to request items that they want to purchase, and the farmer will package the items for purchase.
Anyone who is sick with COVID-19 related symptoms should not attend a farmers market, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, or loss of smell or taste. In addition, other symptoms such as headache or digestive symptoms are potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action, or investigation.
