Media Contacts

For non-medical information relating to COVID-19:

Call 1 888 COVID-19 (1 888 268-4319)
Service is available 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time

Jill Hunt

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
778 676-4460

Gabrielle Spenard-Bernier

BCAFM Membership and Communications Manager
gabrielle@bcfarmersmarket.org
514 591-5891

Joint Information Centre

COVID Provincial Co-Ordination Plan
embc.covidjic@gov.bc.ca
236 478-1336

Backgrounders

B.C. farmers markets during COVID-19

All BCAFM markets currently operating in B.C. have put the following protocols in place to help ensure the health and safety of vendors, organizers and customers:

  • The majority of farmers markets are outdoors and implementing measures to limit the number of people allowed in one area at the same time.
  • Ensuring the availability and regular use of handwashing stations with soap or hand sanitizer.
  • Markets have eliminated unnecessary activities, such as food sampling, food demos and social activities.
  • Regular cleaning and sanitizing of high touch surfaces.
  • Organizers, vendors or shoppers are asked not to attend the market if sick or feeling any symptoms of sickness.
  • Clearly defining the space where and how farmers markets operate to ensure physical distancing, including:
    • minimizing entry/exit points to better control frequency and number of shoppers;
    • limiting and managing lineups to ensure social distancing protocols;
    • ensuring adequate distance between vendor booths set up;
    • directing traffic through the market (e.g., chalk markings on ground, ropes, barriers and other markers); and
    • encouraging cashless payments.
  • The BC Farmers’ Market Online strategy will enable member farmers markets to establish new pick-up and delivery practices/protocols to modify their physical market locations as pick-up points. Online farmers markets will also enable vendor-direct-to-consumer delivery at some markets.
  • These measures are ongoing and still unfolding as markets adapt and launch.