The Bexley Farmers Market is set to open its 10th season on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 4:00 pm in a new – but temporary – location to accommodate for social distancing and other mitigation efforts as a result of COVID-19. This location, and the operational changes and rules, will be in effect through July 31.
The Bexley Farmers Market will temporarily relocate to the S2 parking lot on Capital University’s campus. Adjacent parking is available in the S3 lot – both labeled on this map. Both lots are located on Pleasant Ridge Avenue near the intersection with Astor Avenue.
If you choose to visit the Bexley Farmers Market, the market asks you to follow these strict, preventive measures to keep yourself, your farmers and food producers, and your community safe:
- If you feel ill or at all unwell, do not attend the market.
- Maintain the recommended 6’ social distancing from one another while at the market.
- Wear a cloth face covering as recommended by CDC guidelines.
- 4:00 – 4:30 pm is reserved for vulnerable populations including seniors and immunocompromised.
- During this time, the market encourages limited use of reusable grocery bags due to uncertainty surrounding surface contamination and life span of the virus. We recommend using plastic, disposable bags during COVID-19.
- Send only one member from each household to the market in order to curtail crowds.
- Recognize that the market is attempting to limit the number of people in the market space at one time. While you wait for entry, be respectful and allow for safe distancing between you and other customers.
- When possible, pre-order directly from farmers and food producers to limit the need to exchange currency onsite.
- No pets in the marketplace at this time.
- Do not linger or socialize. Purchase what you need and return to your home.
- Do not touch any products. When you have identified the product(s) you want to purchase, ask the farmer or food producer to collect and package the goods for you.
During COVID-19, the Bexley Farmers Market will look a little different. As part of our quest to be a food source for our community, we have also implemented the following changes, including, but not limited to:
- Limiting the sale of food to whole, uncut produce and packaged food items.
- No on-site food preparation or ready-to-eat foods.
- No sampling of any food is permitted.
- Limiting crowds by staggering entry to provide for social distancing of customers.
- Requiring space between vendor stands of at least 6 feet.
- Providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for customers to use prior to entering market space and when exiting.
- Canceling all extracurricular activities including music, children’s activities, cooking demos, etc.
- Grouping like items together (ie. all produce, all bread and baked goods, etc.) to reduce the amount of time searching the market for particular products.
- Recommending using gloves appropriately as an additional tool.
- Discontinuing use of tablecloths and other porous materials such as baskets, pulp fiber fruit and vegetable containers.
The Bexley Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 4:00 – 7:00 pm starting May 21, 2020. During COVID-19 procedures, the market will reserve the 4:00 – 4:30 pm time for vulnerable populations including seniors and immunocompromised. More information regarding order ahead and on-site order pickup will be released in the coming days. Stay tuned!
