April 14, 2021
As Utah's farmers market season ramps up, the state's Department of Agriculture and Food has issued guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Here are the requirements, according to a news release:
One handwashing station or hand sanitizer station is required per every five booths
Booths must be 10’ apart
Farmers markets are required to enforce CDC social distancing recommendations of at least 6’ apart, and provide marked spacing to ensure compliance
Farmers markets directors/managers should consider limiting/metering the number of people allowed access to the market to help prevent people from grouping
Farmers markets should encourage “tap” or online payment options when possible
Vendors shall change gloves and sanitize point-of-sale equipment between transactions
All vendors are required to wear gloves; those who collect money must not handle food items
The farmers market area shall be delineated to provide shoppers and vendors with a 6’ social distance.
Farmers market vendor offerings are limited to: prepackaged meats, cheeses, raw fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products
Farmers markets shall not have art/craft vendors unless approved by their local health department
Farmers markets shall not have food sampling, unless the samples are prepackaged
Farmers markets shall not have food service vendors unless approved by their local health department
Vendors (selling fresh produce) may only sell whole, uncut produce
The wearing of face masks by vendors and shoppers is at the discretion of the organization sponsoring the farmers market.
Farmers markets are encouraged to maintain their existing nutrition incentive programs (i.e. SNAP, Double-up Food Bucks)
Vendors who do sell pre-package products are required to be registered with the Utah Department of Agriculture and display their company’s current Food Establishment Permit at their booth
For questions regarding these recommendations, contact Travis Waller at [email protected] or Tim Lane at [email protected] or 801.317.7595
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