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Local farmers markets adapt to coronavirus

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In the summer, the Mission Valley is full of fresh produce and meat made available at farmers markets; however, the current pandemic has imposed an air of uncertainty on plans for this summer’s farmers market season. 

Administrators of farmers markets in the area are working to find ways to keep customers and farmers safe when the markets resume this spring.

On March 26, Governor Steve Bullock announced that produce stands are essential businesses, and farmers markets can remain open during the pandemic if proper social distancing measures are implemented. That’s good news for farmers and residents who rely on local produce, but it means large crowds can’t gather in small farmers market venues and people can’t touch produce as they peruse. 

Ronan farmers market manager Katie Neskey said she’s been watching what farmers markets across the country have been doing to adjust to the pandemic. She said she’s heard that markets are doing well, and she attributes it to the fact that people really trust their local farmers markets during times of uncertainty. 

She’s been working to re-organize logistics to take social distancing guidelines into account for the Ronan market. She said farmers are trying to set up online marketplaces, but some have struggled to balance that unexpected task with the busy spring planting season. The Ronan market is creating an online marketplace where customers can pre-order and pay for food, so they can pick up food without making contact with another person. Neskey is planning to install extra hand washing stations at the market. 

“We’re going to ask people to be patient with whatever the new regulations are,” Neskey said. “We want everyone to be on board with everything we’re doing to keep our community safe and continue supporting our farmers.”

Darci Jones, farmer and board member of the Polson farmers market, said markets are more important than ever during this pandemic. 

“At a time when we need to be as healthy as possible, access to food that is dense in nutritional value is important,” Jones said. 

Local farmers can prioritize taste and freshness in their produce, while growers who transport their food thousands of miles are forced to grow their food mainly to be durable enough to hold up for the long journey. 

Local farmers also play an important role in the local economy. When local consumers purchase from farmers in the area, farmers re-invest their income in the community. They buy materials at the hardware store and get their tractors serviced locally. They eat at restaurants and provide jobs for other residents.

Shopping at a farmers market allows people to develop relationships with the people who grow their food. That relationship is especially important amidst fear about being infected by the virus.

“It’s a very scary time for many so being able to trust where your food comes from is important,” Jones said. 

Jones said leaders haven’t set a firm start date for the Polson market, but it will likely begin around May 15, a bit later than the pre-coronavirus start date. Polson’s is the largest farmers market in the county. 

Early in the season, the market will only host people selling seedlings for customers to plant in their gardens and a limited amount of early-season produce. Only produce sales are deemed essential, so craft vendors will not be allowed to sell their wares at the market until coronavirus restrictions are relaxed. 

Jones said the board has discussed possibly having a more official start to the market as more produce becomes available around Memorial Day, and then, returning to a full market when social distancing guidelines are lifted. 

Jones said the board plans to space out essential vendors to ensure vendors and customers can stay more than six feet apart. The board is also developing systems to work around cash transactions, which could cause the exchange of the virus. Produce will likely be bagged before the market so customers do not touch the produce until they get it to their homes. Customers and farmers will be encouraged to wear protective gear. There’s also the potential for online options, where customers can order their produce in advance and then pick it up at the market. 

The Arlee market will start May 27. Vendors interested in having booths at the market can call 406-240-7175. 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mission Falls Market in St. Ignatius was scheduled to start May 22 with the first annual Asparagus Festival. According to the market’s Facebook page, market managers are working behind the scenes to make adjustments to adhere to safety guidelines.

Local farmers markets will provide updates and changes on their Facebook pages. There are markets in Polson, Ronan, St. Ignatius, and Arlee. 

 

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