CITY OF PERRIS Farmer's Market Guidelines
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CITY OF PERRIS
Farmer’s Market Guidelines
WIDESPREAD TIER
Effective February 18, 2021
ALL FARMER’S MARKET PATRONS ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW STATEWIDE GUIDANCE:
Farmer’s Markets are currently permitted to operate in Perris, CA and it is recommended to follow the Riverside County
and California State guidelines for Farmer’s Markets. Please reference guidelines below to create a safe environment
and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
before reopening, all facilities must:
1. Perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan. WHERE CAN I GET
2. Train vendors on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, including how to screen MORE INFORMATION?
themselves for symptoms and stay home if they have them.
3. Implement individual control measures and screenings.
4. Implement disinfecting protocols.
5. Implement physical distancing guidelines. Visit the City of Perris
See attached County and State Guidelines for additional recommendations. COVID-19 portal at
RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES: www.cityofperris.org
1. Pursuant to City of Perris resolution no. 5669, effective May 12, 2020, individuals and
businesses are required to utilize face coverings and practice social distancing.
a. All individuals, vendors, and patrons are required to wear a face covering that fully cover
the mouth and nose.
2. Effective November 16, 2020, while outdoors, individuals in California are required to wear a Visit Riverside University
face covering when outside the home. Health System--Public
3. Practice social distancing of at least 6 feet between employees, between vendors and patrons; Health for the latest county
and between patrons. guidelines at
a. Household units can participate in activities together, stand in line together, etc.
4. Space booths accordingly to increase social distancing among patrons in line and walking about www.rivcoph.org
the market.
5. Provide a single, clearly designated entrance and separate exit to help maintain physical distancing
where possible.
6. Limited number of customers in the market at any given time to 25% (refer to the current assigned
tier for updated capacity limits). Visit the California State
7. Display appropriate signage to inform employees and customers of face coverings, social distancing website for the latest
of at least 6 feet, and promotion of best practices. updates and guidelines
8. Ensure all vendors have hand sanitizer or hand-washing station. at covid.19.ca.gov
a. Vendors should consider where disposable glove use may be helpful to supplement frequent
handwashing or use of hand sanitizer; examples are for workers who are screening
others for symptoms or handling commonly touched items.
9. Equip customer entrances and exits, checkout stations, customer changing rooms with proper
sanitation products, including hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Visit Riverside County Dept
10. If possible, install hands-free devices (e.g., contactless payment systems, etc). of Environmental health at
11. Increase cleaning and sanitizing of shared spaces and equipment (e.g., restrooms, tables, payment
devices, other high-contact locations). https://www.rivcoeh.org/
12. Limit or prohibit customer self-service of food or drinks. for the lastest guidelines
13. No sampling or on-site hot/prepared food sales.
14. Eliminate non-essential services (e.g., entertainment, crafts, knife sharpening, etc).
15. Implement pre-bagging to decrease purchase time for customers.
16. Encourage contactless payment options or the use of debit or credit cards by customers, Visit and refer to
17. Take measures at checkout stations to minimize exposure between cashiers and customers, CDC guidelines
such as, plexiglass barriers.
18. Ask that all vendors, farmers, and customers not attend the market if they are sick with any cold or at cdc.gov/coronavirus
flu-like symptoms.
See attached County and State Guidelines for additional recommendations.
Website: www.cityofperris.org
Code Enforcement: (951) 385-4131
COVID-19
INDUSTRY
GUIDANCE:
Retail
July 29, 2020
1
covid19.ca.gov 1
OVERVIEW
On March 19, 2020, the State Public Health Officer and Director of the California
Department of Public Health issued an order requiring most Californians to stay at home
to disrupt the spread of COVID-19 among the population.
The impact of COVID-19 on the health of Californians is not yet fully known. Reported
illness ranges from very mild (some people have no symptoms) to severe illness that may
result in death. Certain groups, including people aged 65 or older and those with serious
underlying medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, are at higher
risk of hospitalization and serious complications. Transmission is most likely when people
are in close contact or in a poorly ventilated area with an infected person, even if that
person does not have any symptoms or has not yet developed symptoms.
Precise information about the number and rates of COVID-19 by industry or
occupational groups, including among critical infrastructure workers, is not available at
this time. There have been multiple outbreaks in a range of workplaces, indicating that
workers are at risk of acquiring or transmitting COVID-19 infection. Examples of these
workplaces include hospitals, long-term care facilities, prisons, food production,
warehouses, meat processing plants, and grocery stores.
As stay-at-home orders are modified, it is essential that all possible steps be taken to
ensure the safety of workers and the public.
Key prevention practices include:
✓ physical distancing to the maximum extent possible,
✓ use of face coverings by workers (where respiratory protection is not required)
and customers/clients,
✓ frequent handwashing and regular cleaning and disinfection,
✓ training workers on these and other elements of the COVID-19 prevention
plan.
In addition, it will be critical to have in place appropriate processes to identify new
cases of illness in workplaces and, when they are identified, to intervene quickly and
work with public health authorities to halt the spread of the virus.
PURPOSE
This document provides guidance for retailers to support a safe, clean environment for
workers. The guidance is not intended to revoke or repeal any worker rights, either
statutory, regulatory or collectively bargained, and is not exhaustive, as it does not
include county health orders, nor is it a substitute for any existing safety and health-
related regulatory requirements such as those of Cal/OSHA.1 Stay current on changes
to public health guidance and state/local orders, as the COVID-19 situation continues.
Cal/OSHA has more safety and health guidance on their Cal/OSHA Guidance on
Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus webpage. CDC has additional
guidance for businesses and employers and for food and grocery retailers.
2
Required Use of Face Coverings
On June 18, CDPH issued Guidance on the Use of Face Coverings, which broadly
requires the use of face coverings for both members of the public and workers in all
public and workplace settings where there is a high risk of exposure.
People in California must wear face coverings when they are engaged in work,
whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when:
• Interacting in-person with any member of the public;
• Working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether
anyone from the public is present at the time;
• Working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution
to others;
• Working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways,
elevators, and parking facilities;
• In any room or enclosed area where other people (except for members of the
person’s own household or residence) are present when unable to physically
distance;
• Driving or operating any public transportation or paratransit vehicle, taxi, or
private car service or ride-sharing vehicle when passengers are present. When no
passengers are present, face coverings are strongly recommended.
Complete details, including all requirements and exemptions to these rules, can be
found in the guidance. Face coverings are strongly encouraged in other
circumstances, and employers can implement additional face covering requirements
in fulfilling their obligation to provide workers with a safe and healthful workplace.
Employers must provide face coverings to workers or reimburse workers for the
reasonable cost of obtaining them.
Employers should develop an accommodation policy for any worker who meets one of
the exemptions from wearing a face covering. If a worker who would otherwise be
required to wear a face covering because of frequent contact with others cannot
wear one due to a medical condition, they should be provided with a non-restrictive
alternative, such as a face shield with a drape attached to the bottom edge, if
feasible, and if the medical condition permits it.
Businesses that are open to the public should be cognizant of the exemptions to
wearing face coverings in the CDPH Face Covering Guidance and may not exclude
any member of the public for not wearing a face covering if that person is complying
with the guidance. Businesses will need to develop policies for handling these
exemptions among customers, clients, visitors, and worker
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Workplace Specific Plan
• Establish a written, workplace-specific COVID-19 prevention plan at every
location, perform a comprehensive risk assessment of all work areas and
work tasks, and designate a person at each establishment to implement
the plan.
• Incorporate the CDPH Face Covering Guidance into the Workplace
Specific Plan and include a policy for handling exemptions.
• Identify contact information for the local health department where the
operation is located for communicating information about COVID-19
outbreaks among workers or customers.
• Train and communicate with workers and worker representatives on the
plan and make the plan available to workers and their representatives.
• Regularly evaluate the establishment for compliance with the plan and
document and correct deficiencies identified.
• Investigate any COVID-19 illness and determine if any work-related
factors could have contributed to risk of infection. Update the plan as
needed to prevent further cases.
• Implement the necessary processes and protocols when a
workplace has an outbreak, in accordance with CDPH guidelines.
• Identify close contacts (within six feet for 15 minutes or more) of an
infected worker and take steps to isolate COVID-19 positive
worker(s) and close contacts.
• Adhere to the guidelines below. Failure to do so could result in workplace
illnesses that may cause operations to be temporarily closed or limited.
Topics for Worker Training
• Information on COVID-19, how to prevent it from spreading, and which
underlying health conditions may make individuals more susceptible to
contracting the virus.
• Self-screening at home, including temperature and/or symptom checks
using CDC guidelines.
• To seek medical attention if their symptoms become severe, including
persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face.
Updates and further details are available on CDC’s webpage.
4
• The importance of not coming to work:
o If a worker has symptoms of COVID-19 as described by the
CDC, such as a fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or
difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache,
new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose,
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, OR
o If a worker was diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not yet been
released from isolation, OR
o If, within the past 14 days, a worker has had contact with
someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and is
considered potentially infectious (i.e. still on isolation).
• To return to work after a worker receives a COVID-19 diagnosis only if
10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, their symptoms
have improved, and the worker has had no fevers (without the use of
fever reducing medications) for the last 72 hours. A worker without
symptoms who was diagnosed with COVID-19 can return to work only
if 10 days have passed since the date of the first positive COVID-19
test.
• The importance of frequent handwashing with soap and water,
including scrubbing with soap for 20 seconds (or using hand sanitizer
with at least 60% ethanol (preferred) or 70% isopropanol (if the
product is inaccessible to unsupervised children) when workers
cannot get to a sink or handwashing station, per CDC guidelines).
• The importance of physical distancing, both at work and off work time
(see Physical Distancing section below).
• Proper use of face coverings, including:
o Face coverings do not protect the wearer and are not personal
protective equipment (PPE).
o Face coverings can help protect people near the wearer, but do not
replace the need for physical distancing and frequent handwashing.
o Face coverings must cover the nose and mouth.
o Workers should wash or sanitize hands before and after using or
adjusting face coverings.
o Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.
o Face coverings must not be shared and should be washed or discarded
after each shift.
• Information contained in the CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face
Coverings, which mandates the circumstances in which face coverings
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must be worn and the exemptions, as well as any policies, work rules, and
practices the employer has adopted to ensure the use of face coverings.
Training should also include the employer’s policies on how people who
are exempted from wearing a face covering will be handled.
• Ensure any independent contractors, temporary, or contract workers at
the facility are also properly trained in COVID-19 prevention policies and
have necessary supplies and PPE. Discuss these responsibilities ahead of
time with organizations supplying temporary and/or contract workers.
• Information on paid leave benefits the worker may be entitled to receive
that would make it financially easier to stay at home. See additional
information on government programs supporting sick leave and workers’
compensation for COVID-19, including workers’ sick leave rights under
the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and workers’ rights to workers’
compensation benefits and presumption of the work-relatedness of
COVID-19 pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-62-20 while that
Order is still in effect.
Individual Control Measures and Screening
• Provide temperature and/or symptom screenings for all workers at the
beginning of their shift and any vendors, contractors, or other workers
entering the establishment. Make sure the temperature/symptom
screener avoids close contact with workers to the extent possible.
• If requiring self-screening at home, which is an appropriate alternative
to providing it at the establishment, ensure that screening was
performed prior to the worker leaving the home for their shift and
follows CDC guidelines, as described in the Topics for Worker Training
section above
• Encourage workers who are sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 to
stay home.
• Employers must provide and ensure workers use all required protective
equipment, including eye protection and gloves where necessary. This
includes protections for cashiers, baggers, and other workers with
regular and repeated interaction with customers.
• Employers should consider where disposable glove use may be helpful
to supplement frequent handwashing or use of hand sanitizer; examples
are for workers who are screening others for symptoms or handling
commonly touched items.
• Workers must also be provided and use protective equipment when
offloading and storing delivered goods. Workers should inspect
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deliveries and perform disinfection measures prior to storing goods in
warehouses and facilities when there are signs of tampering.
• Retailers must take reasonable measures, including posting signage in
strategic and highly-visible locations, to remind the public that they
must use face coverings and practice physical distancing.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols
• Perform thorough cleaning in high traffic areas, such as break rooms,
lunch areas and areas of ingress and egress including stairways, stairwells,
escalators, handrails, and elevator controls. Frequently disinfect
commonly used surfaces, including shopping carts, baskets, conveyor
belts, registers (including self-checkout), scanners, register telephones,
hand-held devices, counters, door handles, shelving, ATM PIN pads,
customer assistance call buttons, handwashing facilities, etc.
• Clean and sanitize shared equipment, including but not limited to,
pallet jacks, ladders, supply carts, time clocks, payment portals, and
styluses between each use.
• Clean touchable surfaces between shifts or between users, whichever is
more frequent, including but not limited to working surfaces, tools, and
stationary and mobile equipment controls.
• Equip customer entrances and exits, checkout stations, customer
changing rooms with proper sanitation products, including hand
sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, and provide personal hand sanitizers to
all frontline staff (e.g., cashiers).
• Ensure that sanitary facilities stay operational and stocked at all times
and provide additional soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizer when
needed.
• To minimize the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and other diseases
associated with water, take steps to ensure that all water systems and
features (e.g., drinking fountains, decorative fountains) are safe to
use after a prolonged facility shutdown.
• Provide resources to promote workers’ personal hygiene. This will
include tissues, no-touch trash cans, hand soap, adequate time for
hand- washing, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and
disposable towels.
• When choosing disinfecting chemicals, employers should use
products approved for use against COVID-19 on the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)-approved list and follow product
instructions. Use disinfectants labeled to be effective against
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emerging viral pathogens, diluted household bleach solutions (5
tablespoons per gallon of water), or alcohol solutions with at least
70% alcohol that are appropriate for the surface. Provide workers
training on the chemical hazards, manufacturer’s directions,
ventilation requirements, and Cal/OSHA requirements for safe use.
Workers using cleaners or disinfectants should wear gloves and other
protective equipment as required by the product instructions. Follow
the asthma-safer cleaning methods recommended by the California
Department of Public Health and ensure proper ventilation.
• Adjust or modify store hours to provide adequate time for regular,
thorough cleaning and product stocking. Stagger stocking so that
associates are in different aisles.
• Provide time for workers to implement cleaning practices during their
shift. Cleaning assignments should be assigned during working hours as
part of the workers’ job duties. Procure options for third-party cleaning
companies to assist with the increased cleaning demand, as needed.
• Install hands-free devices, if possible, including motion sensor lights,
contactless payment systems, automatic soap and paper towel
dispensers, and timecard systems.
• Encourage the use of debit or credit cards by customers, for
example, through signage.
• Consider installing portable high-efficiency air cleaners, upgrading
the building’s air filters to the highest efficiency possible, and making
other modifications to increase the quantity of outside air and
ventilation in offices and other spaces.
Physical Distancing Guidelines
• Retailers should create clearly-marked curbside or outside pickup points
that maintain physical distance with visual cues or other measures, and
have purchased goods available there or available through home
delivery.
• Implement measures to ensure physical distancing of at least six feet
between workers and customers. This can include use of physical partitions
or visual cues (e.g., floor markings, colored tape, or signs to indicate to
where workers and/or customers should stand).
• Take measures at checkout stations to minimize exposure between
cashiers and customers, such as Plexiglas barriers.
• Consider offering workers who request modified duties options that
minimize their contact with customers and other workers (e.g., managing
inventory rather than working as a cashier or managing administrative
8needs through telework).
• Adjust in-person meetings, if they are necessary, to ensure physical
distancing and use smaller individual meetings at facilities to maintain
physical distancing guidelines.
• Place additional limitations on the number of workers in enclosed areas to
ensure at least six feet of separation to limit transmission of the virus.
• Stagger worker breaks, in compliance with wage and hour regulations, to
maintain physical distancing protocols.
• Close breakrooms, use barriers, or increase distance between tables/chairs
to separate workers and discourage congregating during breaks. Where
possible, create outdoor break areas with shade covers and seating that
ensures physical distancing.
• Close in-store bars, bulk-bin options, and public seating areas and
discontinue product sampling.
• Dedicate shopping hours for vulnerable populations, including seniors and
those medically vulnerable, preferably at a time following a complete
cleaning.
• Increase pickup and delivery service options for customers to help minimize
in-store contact and maintain social distancing, such as online ordering
and curbside pick- up.
• Provide a single, clearly designated entrance and separate exit to help
maintain physical distancing where possible.
• Adjust maximum occupancy rules based on the size of the facility to limit
the number of people in a store at one time, using no more than 50%
maximum occupancy.
• Be prepared to queue customers outside while still maintaining physical
distance, including through the use of visual cues.
• Encourage workers to practice physical distancing during pickup and
delivery by talking with the customer through a passenger window, loading
items directly into the customer’s trunk without contact, or leaving items at
their door.
• Make some locations pickup- or delivery-only to minimize worker/customer
contact, where possible.
• Install transfer-aiding materials, such as shelving and bulletin boards, to
reduce person-to-person hand-offs where possible. Wherever possible, use
contactless signatures for deliveries.
• Expand direct store delivery window hours to spread out deliveries and
prevent overcrowding.
91Additionalrequirements must be considered for vulnerable populations. The retail industry must
comply with all Cal/OSHA standards and be prepared to adhere to its guidance as well as
guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH). Additionally, employers must be prepared to alter their
operations as those guidelines change.
10Last update 7/1/20
California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets
COVID19 Farmers’ Market Response and Best Practices
I. About the Alliance
The California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets (the Alliance) is a member-based coalition of
Certified Farmers’ Markets, farmers, and affiliate partners dedicated to promoting the direct
farmer-to-consumer relationship, supporting California’s independent farmers, and increasing
access to fresh, healthy, locally-grown food. We represent Certified Farmers’ Markets
throughout the State of California and work to ensure local and state regulations strengthen the
farmers’ market industry. The Alliance is led and staffed by the Ecology Center and governed by
a ten-member Steering Committee. This work is made possible through grants and generous
donations from farmers’ markets, farmers and vendors, and market enthusiasts/allies. If you can
support our work, please donate here.
II. Introduction
The Alliance, like so many across the state, is concerned with ensuring the health and safety of
everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the United States and local governments respond
to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the Alliance is working diligently to keep farmers’ markets
open and a safe place for community-members to access fresh, healthy, nutrient-dense foods,
and to secure the livelihood of our small and mid-sized farmers. As always, we recommend that
farmers’ markets work closely with their local public health department, and other city staff, to
ensure the health and safety of customers, farmers, and staff.
This document uses the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) guidance for farmers’
markets as it’s foundation. Each Guideline is listed below, followed by a bulleted list of practices
being used at markets across the state. In addition, there are also some best practices that
follow the Bay Area shelter-in-place “Social Distancing Protocol”, built upon by the Ecology
Center. Not every practice will work for an individual market’s needs, given the unique layouts
and operations of California’s farmers’ markets.
The content in this document has been collected from farmers’ markets across the state
and the country who are working quickly to comply with public health official’s guidance
and requirements. The content has NOT been approved by any single public health
authority, but is instead the methods and tools being used across the state by those on
the ground, managing and selling at farmers markets. As the landscape and
recommendations change, we plan to keep this document updated and informed by public
health guidance for grocery and farmers’ markets, as well as by those market managers
implementing the guidance through operational changes.
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgLast update 7/1/20
If you have a practice that is being used and successful, that is not already listed, please
contact us to share and we can add it to this document. THANK YOU to all of our partners who
have already generously shared best practices, guidelines, and signage informing this
document.
During this time of crisis, it is more important than ever to ensure that farmers’ markets continue
to safely provide fresh fruits and vegetables to community members who rely on them, while
providing essential markets for farmers. Thank you for joining us in supporting the resilience of
our local small businesses and regional food system!
III. California Department of Public Health Guideline Summary:
1. Space booths accordingly to increase social distancing among patrons in line and
walking about the market.
2. 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.
3. Limit the number of customers at any given time as necessary to reduce outdoor/indoor
crowding and lines to meet social distancing guidance.
4. Increase cleaning and sanitizing frequency of restroom and other high contact areas.
5. Train employees on best hygiene practices including washing their hands often with
soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
6. Offer additional hand washing or sanitizing stations throughout the venue.
7. Eliminate events/marketing that target individuals that the CDPH has identified as higher
risk of serious illness for COVID-19.
8. Encourage activities such as pre-bagging to expedite purchasing.
9. Suspend sampling activities.
10. Increase frequency of cleaning of tables, payment devices, and other surfaces.
11. Eliminate non-essential/non-related services, such as bands or other entertainment.
12. At the end of the market, continue to utilize local food recovery systems to feed/donate
extra products to populations in need.
13. If applicable, continue accepting EBT payment.
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgLast update 7/1/20
IV. Additional Changes to Implement/Consider at the Market
● Ask that all vendors, farmers, and customers not attend the market if they are sick with
any cold or flu-like symptoms
● If you are able, ask staff to work markets voluntarily (in case a staff person is in a
high-risk group or lives with someone who is) and do your best to reassign their hours to
non-public-facing work if available
● If you are able, create a temporary sick policy that provided additional sick hours to
employees if they need it
● Waive any cancellation charge for vendors cancelling because of illness
● Use an automated billing system to collect stall fees through ManageMyMarket or other
software platform
● Scan load lists with smartphones rather than collect pape the "scanner pro" app can do
this on a smartphone
● If your market has hot food, require that it is served to go, no utensils available
● Encourage or require vendors to conduct cashless transactions (if possible)
● Encourage or require exact change from customers and use a cash bucket for the cash,
mitigating contact with cash)
● Encourage or require vendors to separate staff handling money and produce/food
● Encourage or require vendors to wear food grade gloves when handling cash/tokens
and to wash hands when changing food grade gloves
● Encourage or require vendors to segregate duties behind market tables. Designate one
individual to handle money, tokens and coupons, while others handle the products being
sold.
● Encourage or require vendors to change food grade gloves between handling food and
monies
● Do not eat, chew gum, smoke, use tobacco, spit, while in growing/ processing/ food
handling area
● Encourage customers to shop at booths with shorter lines first
● Remind customers to always wash their fruits and vegetables at home before eating or
cooking
● Plan for contingencies if you have less trained market staff (if they were to get sick)
○ Train other organizational staff on market operations
○ Train vendors on market operations
○ Create an Essential Equipment List, in the case you have to operate market with
less staff or without a market vehicle
○ Train other organizational staff and volunteers on being Market Greeters at
entrances, educating the community on COVID-19 containment best practices.
○ Consider other models for providing farmers’ products with customers, including
a curbside box pickup or other model. Make sure to check in with FNS if you plan
to accept SNAP or move the pick-up site.
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgLast update 7/1/20
V. Guidelines and Practices to Comply
1. Guideline: Space booths accordingly to increase social distancing among patrons in line and
walking about the market.
● Increase space between vendor booths (5-15 feet depending on available space)
○ If space does not currently exist, market may need to consider temporarily
eliminating vendors, including crafts, hot food or other non-agricultural; or rotating
vendors week to week
● Chalk out / use cones / caution tape/ rope/ribbon to demarcate lines for vendors with
high customer volumes, that indicate where customers should wait to be served/pay, in
six-foot increments
● Post prominent signage for vendors’ booths indicating where customers wait to get there
order taken and where they wait to pay
● Request that your shoppers send one person per household to do the shopping, if
possible, leaving other family (and pets always!) at home
North Berkeley Farmers’ Market March 2020 Poche Family Farm March 2020
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgLast update 7/1/20
2. Guideline: 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.
● Post prominent signage throughout the market asking customers to observe social
distancing of six feet
● Chalk out / use cones or tape to demarcate lines for vendors with high customer
volumes, that indicate where customers should wait to be served/pay in six-foot
increments
● Post prominent signage for vendors’ booths indicating where customers wait to get there
order taken and where they wait to pay
● Create directional “lanes” in the center aisle of the market to control flow of traffic
● Provide trained greeters (volunteers or staff, who are well and not in a high-risk group) at
most frequently used market entrances asking people to social distance at least six feet.
○ Equip greeters, staff and all trained volunteers with uniforms of some sort so that
members of the public know they work for the market
○ Greeters might also pass out flyers or point to large signs that say something like:
■ Love your market? Follow these guidelines to keep market safe and open:
● Honor physical distancing of 6 ft
● Observe posted signage indicating where to stand/wait
● Stay home if sick
● Wash hands regularly, and always before/as you enter market
● Try to limit your market visit time, so please take your
conversations online instead of in the market
● Cough and sneeze away from people and food
● Please show kindness and respect to your fellow market
shoppers. Thank you for your support!
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgLast update 7/1/20
Contra Costa County Farmers’ Market March 2020
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgLast update 7/1/20
3. Guideline: Limit the number of customers at any given time as necessary to reduce
outdoor/indoor crowding and lines to meet social distancing guidance.
● Use caution tape/rope/ribbon or other method to block off entrances to market that
market does not wish customers to use (also hang signage indicating where customer
may enter)
● Conduct crowd counts at least every 30 minutes
● Set threshold not-to-exceed for markets, depending on space and narrowness of aisle
● If crowd counts reach set threshold:
○ Use staff/volunteers to begin queue at market entrance and use chalked out
demarcate lines for customers waiting to enter, that indicate where customers
should wait in six-foot increments OR
○ When customers arrive, provide a slip of paper with a time window printed on it
and ask them to return in that window (have a certain number of slips per 40-60
minute period and distribute in a graduated fashion) OR
○ Move the info booth to the entrance and put people’s names and numbers on a
list (like a hostin a restaurant.) Text customer when it’s their turn to enter.
North Berkeley Farmers’ Market March 2020 (PC: Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle)
4. Guideline: Increase cleaning and sanitizing frequency of restroom and other high contact
areas.
● Sanitize high touch areas frequently (at least hourly)
● For port-o-potties or indoor restrooms, wipe down handles/knobs inside and outside
frequently; wipe down faucet frequently; wipe down any other high-touch surface
frequently
● Exchange tokens for CalFresh EBT and Market Match in strawberry baskets to mitigate
handling, have tokens pre-counted in $5 increments to decrease handling
● Utilize disposable plastic wrap to cover EBT machine for each customer transactions OR
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgLast update 7/1/20
● Disinfected EBT machine between customers
● Staff wear disposable food grade gloves and change frequently; train staff on proper
glove use
● Have porta-potties delivered onsite every week. Include one for a vendor-only restroom
and keep it locked, sharing the combination with vendors only
5. Guideline: Train employees on best hygiene practices including washing their hands often with
soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
● Provide masks for all farmers’ market staff
● Require all market staff and volunteers to watch training videos on:
○ (CDC) Proper hand washing + Video
○ (World Health Org) Proper Hand Washing + visual instructions
○ (WHO) Proper glove use
○ (WHO) If using masks, proper mask use
● Staff wear disposable food grade gloves and change frequently
● Provide employees and market vendors best hygiene practices in written form (email)
● Ask employees to wash hands at least hourly, but as often as needed and especially
before and after any cash/token handling
● All vendors are required to bring their own hand washing station
● Additional handwashing station is available to the public, as is hand sanitizer
● Prominent signage hung throughout the market asking customers to practice CDC best
hygiene practices for reducing infection
● Hang handwashing signage. Download from the CDC website, or create your own!
CCFM NoLa March 2020 Contra Costa C. FM March 2020
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgLast update 7/1/20
6. Guideline: Offer additional hand washing or sanitizing stations throughout the venue.
● Provide additional handwashing station(s) available to the public, in addition to hand
sanitizer.
○ A hands free plastic container, pump soap, hands free paper towel holder, and
catch bucket will do the trick
● Require all vendors to bring their own hand washing station
● Encourage vendors to also provide hand sanitizer for their staff and customers (as
available)
CCFM NOLA FM March 2020 Contra Costa County FM March 2020
7. Guideline: Eliminate events/marketing that target individuals that the CDPH has identified as
higher risk of serious illness for COVID-19.
● All market communications encourage those in high-risk groups to send another
family/household member or neighbor to shop for them
● Cancel or postpone all non-essential activities, including cooking demos and music
● Cancel or postpone all special events for the next few months adjacent to or inside the
market
● Eliminate any cafe area including tables and chairs for dining, encouraging customers to
get in and out swiftly
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgLast update 7/1/20
8. Guideline: Encourage activities such as pre-bagging to expedite purchasing.
● Encourage or require vendors to control all produce and select and bag for customers
● Encourage or require vendors to pre-bag (prior to market opening) any product they can
(e.g. greens) prior to or during market
● Eliminate any self serve utensils, such as tongs
CUESA FM March 2020 CUESA FM March 2020
CUESA FM March 2020 South Berkeley FM March 2020
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgLast update 7/1/20
9. Guideline: Suspend sampling activities.
● Suspend all sampling at markets until further notice
10. Guideline: Increase frequency of cleaning of tables, payment devices, and other surfaces.
● Sanitize high touch areas frequently (at least hourly)
● Exchange tokens for CalFresh EBT and Market Match in strawberry baskets to mitigate
handling; have tokens pre-counted in $5 increments to decrease handling
● Utilize disposable plastic wrap to cover EBT machine for each customer transactions OR
● Disinfected EBT machine between customers
● Staff wear disposable food grade gloves and change frequently; wash your hands when
changing food grade gloves
● Ask vendors to wipe down their tables and other equipment with sanitizing wipes before
and after each market day, or more frequently if possible, including point-of-sales
systems.
● Back at the office for any after-market activities, initiate a building entry protocol
including hand washing before and after leaving and wiping down surfaces/equipment
with disinfectant wipes before and after using them
11. Guideline: Eliminate non-essential/non-related services, such as bands or other entertainment.
● Cancel or postpone all non-essential activities, including cooking demos and music have
been cancelled
● Cancel or postpone all special events for the next few months adjacent to or inside the
marke
● Eliminate cafe area, including tables and chairs for dining
● Pare down market info booth to essentials, including EBT/Market Match processing and
bags only
12. Guideline: At the end of the market, continue to utilize local food recovery systems to
feed/donate extra products to populations in need.
● No change in these activities. Coordinate with your local food bank or gleaning program
if you do not already
13. Guideline: If applicable, continue accepting EBT payment.
● Exchange tokens for CalFresh EBT and Market Match in strawberry baskets to mitigate
handling, have tokens pre-counted in $5 increments to decrease handling
● Utilize disposable plastic wrap to cover EBT machine for each customer transactions OR
● Disinfected EBT machine between customers
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgLast update 7/1/20
IV. The Role of Cities/Counties in Supporting Farmers’ Markets
Markets are mission driven--supporting community members in accessing healthy food, and
providing a vital marketing outlet for California farmers to sell directly to the public. They are also
often operated in partnership with city and county governments. If your city or county is able and
willing, there are a number of things that they could provide to support farmers’ markets
continued operation during this time of need. Some of these items might include:
● Additional space for street closure to ensure vendors can space out and room for
curbside pick-up programs
● Labor to help secure entrance/exit and monitor lines for social distancing
● Equipment to secure market entrance, hang signage upon, and utilize to create lines for
high-volume vendors
● Equipment or supplies to secure perimeter of market (e.g. orange fencing or caution
tape)
● Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations
● Support in communications to residents about adhering to social distancing and other
requirements
*This document will be updated as COVID-19 responses are updated and changed
For more information, contact Madaly Alcala, Program Manager
madaly@ecologycenter.org, (510-548-2220, ext 243), or visit www.farmersmarketalliance.orgYou can also read
