Spokane Standard

City of Spokane Valley issued the following announcement on May 26.

The Spokane Valley Farmers Market will be opening beginning Friday, June 5 from 5 – 8 p.m. and every Friday through September 18. The market will again be located in the parking lot outside the CenterPlace Regional Event Center, located at 2426 N. Discovery Place, which is near the Centennial Trail and Discovery Playground.

The farmers market is implementing a series of preventive measures including:

• To protect our community the layout of the market will be modified to increase space between vendors to follow adequate social distancing requirements
• Sampling will not be allowed and live entertainment will not occur
• Essential vendors, including farms and producers of items you find in a grocery store allowed
• There will be no tables or seating options available
• Extra handwashing stations, sanitizer, and signage around the market will be provided along with an individual responsible to maintain these supplies
• No public restrooms will be available initially.
• Only two food trucks per week, with plenty of space between each truck
• Vendor will bag all products and avoid putting out high touch items, such as condiment bottles
• Artisans and crafters (items such as jewelry, woodwork and art) will not be included
• A zero tolerance policy on sick workers by eliminating cancellation fees so the sick stay home

As you may have heard, farmers markets are part of the Food and Agriculture’s essential workforce, which includes grocery stores, food banks, farm and produce stands and food establishments. The Spokane Valley Farmers Market will operate in compliance with public health directives, providing a vital link between neighbors needing healthy food and hundreds of Washington farmer and food producers. The focus is to keep vendors and attendees as safe as possible, while continuing to support this vital economic and community activity.

The market will be offering a pre-ordering system with Share Farm for pickup at the market. Customers will be able to order online at spokane.share.farm, select Spokane Valley Farmers Market and browse participating vendors. The cutoff to order for pickup at the market is 5 p.m. on Thursdays.

To keep the market safe and healthy they ask for those visiting to do your part.

• Shop alone - Avoid bringing others and leave pets at home
• Don’t touch – Let the vendors select and bag items
• Stay connected – Follow the market and vendors on social media for updates
• Electronic payments - Use credit/debit cards, digital payments or exact change
• Good habits - Use face coverings and keep your distance from others
• No eating or drinking - Please take your purchases home to enjoy
• Get In, Get Out – Be ready to order, if possible pre-order
• If sick, stay home - Do not attend if unwell

Original source can be found here.