B.C. farmers markets are an important way to deliver healthy food, but they have to stick to food vendors only during the coronavirus pandemic, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says.
Henry announced her latest public health order March 27, limiting community markets and farmers markets to food sales only.
B次元官网网址淭his is recognition of how important it is for us to be able to access locally grown and produced food, and the farmers markets are an important part of that,B次元官网网址� Henry said. B次元官网网址淏ut we donB次元官网网址檛 want them to be areas where people are going to be going and mingling in large groups because of the risk right now that that entails.B次元官网网址�
The COVID-19 public health emergency has already seen her order bars to close, most restaurants to go to pickup and delivery only, and gatherings outside of family groups to be limited with individuals kept apart. The provincial state of emergency powers announced this week designates food producers and community gardens as part of a list of essential services.
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To help with HenryB次元官网网址檚 orders regarding physical distance to prevent transmission of the virus, The B.C. Association of Farmers Markets is helping its 145 member markets move to online sales. The B.C. government has provided $55,000 to the association to cover member fees to join and set up their own online presence.
The funding comes from the provinceB次元官网网址檚 Buy BC program that promotes B.C.-grown vegetables, meat and seafood for sale in stores. As markets set up and offer online sales, their locations will be added to the associationB次元官网网址檚 market tour website, bcfarmersmarkettrail.com.
B次元官网网址淥ur member farmers markets continue to modify their operations to ensure the health and safety of customers, vendors and market organizers alike,B次元官网网址� said Heather OB次元官网网址橦ara, the associationB次元官网网址檚 executive director. B次元官网网址淚n further response to COVID-19, our new B.C. FarmersB次元官网网址� Markets Online platform will offer a new shopping channel for the peak farmers market season this summer.
tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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