Updated 11/25/20
Farmer’s Market and SNAP COVID-19 Guides:
CDC has issued specific guidance for Farmers Markets, and Food Pantries:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/outdoor-farmers-markets.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/food-pantries.html
Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS)
“Recommendations to minimize the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Farmer’s Markets.”
“Cottage Food and Farmer’s Markets Guidelines for Safe Food Handling in Home Kitchens.”
National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)
“Farmer Market Operations and COVID-19 Vendor Guide.”
Michigan farmers Market Association
“Guide to Sanitizing SNAP Tokens.”
Farmers Market Coalition (FMC)
“Farmers Market COVID-19 Resources”
Farmers Market COVID-19 Webinars:
“Operating Winter Farmers Markets During COVID-19.” Illinois Farmers Market Association
“Farmers Markets Physical Redesign for Covid-19 Mitigation.” Farmers Market Coalition
“10 Tips for Marketing your Farmers Market During COVID-19.” Illinois Farmers Market Association
“Thinking Inside the Box – Making Healthy Food Accessible with Curbside/Drive-Thru (Contactless) Models at Farmers Markets During COVID-19.” Farmers Market Coalition
“Farmers Market-Tested Sales Platforms for Shopper Pre-Orders.” Farmers Market Coalition.
General guidelines for adapting your market to COVID-19 include:
- Communicate your new rules and procedures to customers on your website, through online newsletters and social media, and other platforms you use to communicate with the public.
- Require customers to wear masks. Provide masks at the entrance as part of your hand sanitizer station.
- Space booths accordingly to increase social distancing among patrons in line and walking about the market.
- Encourage the use of additional tables between customers and vendors to create more space for social distancing;
- Ensure that social distancing of six feet per person for non-family members is maintained and make clear that family members [and households] can participate in activities together, stand in line together, etc.
- Limit the number of customers at any given time as necessary to reduce outdoor/indoor crowding and lines to meet social distancing guidance.
- Increase cleaning and sanitizing frequency of restroom and other high contact areas.
- Train employees and vendors on best hygiene practices including washing their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Offer additional hand washing/sanitizing stations throughout the venue.
- Eliminate events/marketing that target individuals that the DPHSS has identified as higher risk of serious illness for COVID-19. Plan for a time when at-risk populations can access the market without the general public
- Encourage activities such as pre-bagging to expedite purchasing.
- Suspend sampling activities.
- Increase frequency of cleaning of tables, payment devices, and other surfaces.
- Eliminate non-essential/non-related services, such as bands or other entertainment.
- At the end of the market, continue to utilize local food recovery systems to feed/donate extra products to populations in need.
- Continue accepting EBT payment and implement sanitation procedures for tokens and other nutrition incentive payment types.
Resources for Consumers, SNAP, and Double SNAP Dollars Participants
USDA Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) Response to COVID-19 – MONTANA SPECIFIC
This link directs you to SNAP participant waivers and flexibilities related to COVID-19 relief and programs in the sate of Montana.