Coronavirus Update: Danville Backtracks On Reopening Of Farmers' Market Following Citizens' Complaints
DANVILLE (CBS SF) -- The Town of Danville has decided to postponed a planned reopening of its farmers' market Saturday after a flood of citizen complaints about the appropriateness of the reopening amid the coronavirus shelter-in-place order.
The decision comes a day after Danville officials had announced the reopening after working with the Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association to reopen the market, held at a parking lot on the 200 block of Railroad Ave.
Certified farmers markets have been deemed essential businesses by the State of California. However, Danville residents on NextDoor and other social media expressed concerns about the reopening as health authorities have been urging people to stay home and avoid gatherings.
"I'm stunned by this," said Danville resident Denny Erardi. "The area Next Door app is filled with disbelieving and disapproving comments. It certainly seems as though this is the type of thing that ought to have at least cursory buy-in by the residents. Apparently, a farmers market is deemed to be an essential service."
The Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association (PCFMA) said Friday after receiving concerns by community members, they have decided to hold off on reopening the market.
Danville Economic Development Manager Jill Bergman said that once the messages from the community started coming in, they began talking to the PCFMA about it.
"We understand the concerns that are being voiced by our residents and we want to be mindful of them, so we started working with the PCFMA on how to address them," Bergman said in a press release.
"We were excited about returning to downtown Danville this Saturday, but after hearing of your concerns and those of many of your neighbors, we have decided to delay reopening the Danville Farmers' Market," said PCFMA Executive Director Allen Moy in a letter.
PCFMA says it has helped create COVID-19 safety guidelines for farmers markets across the Bay Area. There are currently 21 farmers' markets opened in the Bay Area as listed on the PCFMA website.
Farmers' market COVID-19 guidelines include:
-Limitations on the number of vendors and booths with plenty if space between each booth.
-A ban on non-essential vendors or activities including entertainment, hot food and community booths.
-A ban on self-serving and sampling.
-There will be a hand washing station at the information booth.
-The restrooms will be closed.
-Customers will not be able to touch sale items prior to purchase.
-Producers will not be able to touch customers' reusable bags.
-Unpackaged food and cash will not be handled by the same person.
-Customers will be asked to wear masks, adhere to social distancing and follow any other regulations posted at the market.
A statement on the PCFMA website says, "Certified farmers' markets, like those operated by the Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association (PCFMA), have been designated by Governor Newsom as essential businesses as part of the Shelter in Place order issued in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. At PCFMA, we are committed to operating our farmers' markets safely, to provide the Bay Area with fresh produce during this challenging time."
Contra Costa Health Services has published guidance for the operation of certified farmers' markets which can be found here.
