Submitted by Kristen Fay, Market Manager
The Orcas Island Farmers’ Market is slated to open on Saturday, May 16. To start the season, market hours will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We expect hours of operation to return to normal (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) as the market can safely open up to more and more vendors over time. Once open, the market will operate differently than ever before. The market will open slowly, in three phases.
Doing this safely includes proper social distancing, sanitation, packaging/planning ahead, and customer flow. The market will function in compliance with the most current public health directives in order to protect the safety of the community and to provide a platform for local access to local food, goods, and services.
Phase One
May 16 – May 30 (Three Saturdays)
Local farmers, produce/grocery type fresh goods only. Stock up on Orcas grown farm-fresh produce, meat, flowers and plant starts.
Phase Two and Three
By the end of May the OIFM board hopes to have more definition around how much we can expand the market based on guidelines from the state. Currently, we must operate under the guidelines of what is deemed essential.
Phase Two may start by expanding to baked goods, preserved foods, and prepackaged food. Then, health/well being and body care.
Phase Three, we hope, is all-inclusive with craft, food, farm, and service, and looks more like a market we are familiar with.
This system of phases allows us to open the market gradually, to ensure the safety of the community, to promote community resilience, and to actively respond to what is safe. In ways, this is a well-intended experiment, and we are prepared to be flexible, in ourselves and with each other. The farmers market is a commitment to the community; a commitment to both vendors and patrons, and will remain a safe place for islanders to engage and interact.
If you are interested in vending at the market and have essential business retail to offer, sign up at https://docs.google.com/
