West Shore farmers markets are doing their best to cope with strict regulations during the pandemic B次元官网网址� but not every vendor will be given a chance to sell their products.
Markets are only allowed to sell essentials, which includes produce, liquor, and prepared foods. This means that craft vendors wonB次元官网网址檛 be there.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e gonna miss them because theyB次元官网网址檙e all part of our vibrant community,B次元官网网址� said Jacqui Anderson, president of the Metchosin Producers Association. Their modified market begins each Sunday starting June 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 4450 Happy Valley Rd.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really out of our hands,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 love that the market is a social gathering and itB次元官网网址檚 tough to say we can only host certain vendors.B次元官网网址�
READ MORE: BC Farmers Markets move to online platform amid COVID-19 concerns
Though Anderson has seen 30 vendors each Sunday in previous years, they will end up cutting their size by more than half to comply with BC Centre of Disease Control (BCCDC) standard of gatherings of no more than 50 people.
According to the BCCDC, farmersB次元官网网址� markets are not currently considered a high-risk setting for the transmission of COVID-19, especially since they are usually held outdoors and thereB次元官网网址檚 usually a limited number of people in one area at a time.
There also wonB次元官网网址檛 be any local musicians at any farmers markets, in line with new restrictions.
ALSO READ: Sooke Country Market opens online starting May 2
B次元官网网址淥verall, itB次元官网网址檚 a shop and donB次元官网网址檛 stop,B次元官网网址� quipped Anthony Obersteller, president of Goldstream Farmers Market. B次元官网网址淥nce customers buy their items, theyB次元官网网址檒l have to head out shortly after. ItB次元官网网址檚 very different from what weB次元官网网址檙e used to.B次元官网网址�
Notably, the BCCDC has included specific instructions to have one entrance and one exit, restrict the tasting of any food samples and keep adequate space between each booth.
Organizers were supposed to have the Goldstream Farmers market prepared to go by Sunday, May 10 for MotherB次元官网网址檚 Day weekend, but they now say sometime in June looks more realistic.
Until then, Obersteller said theyB次元官网网址檙e waiting on a response from Langford city council to support placement of barricades at the event to help enforce social distancing measures.
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