Duncan Farmer’s Market – Saturdays on Ingram Street

APRIL 9. 2020 – In order to further improve physical distancing at the Duncan Farmers Market (DFM) this Saturday, (April 11th), the market will be shifting from City Square to Ingram Street.  The move will reduce the entry points and exit points into the market, making it easier to control the total customers in the market at one time, while allowing customers to maintain proper physical distancing.

Using Ingram Street instead of the Square will allow up to 32 vendors to attend the Market, while still spaced 10 feet apart.  With this change, we will be able to include up to 12 additional vendors on Saturday, April 11th and subsequent Market dates.

The vendors will still be limited to those that are permitted by the BC Centre for Disease and Control, farmers, primary food producers, and vendors selling food plant starts only (no flowers) have now been approved by the City of Duncan.

For our Customers:

• If you are not able to attend the Market due to self-isolation, many of our vendors are accepting online or pick-up orders if you contact them directly. Their information can be found on our website: www.duncanfarmersmarket.ca  We will also be launching an online market shortly with the help of BCAFM and Local Line, and many of our vendors also have online sales available through the Cow-Op.
• Vendors will be sanitizing their touch surfaces and hand-washing or using hand sanitizer between each customer, similar to what you are seeing at your local grocery store.
• Please note that many of our vendors are only using tap payment (debit/credit) at this time, while some only accept cash, so please plan accordingly.
• We are asking that customers respect social distancing and space themselves at least 2 metres apart. Lines will be marked in front of each stall as a reminder.
• DFM staff will be counting the crowds and will limit the number of customers at the Market if the count exceeds 50.

As has been done in previous weeks, we will set up a hand-washing station for our customers, and hand sanitizer will be available at the Market Information tent, as well as with any of our vendors should you require it.

It has never been more important to shop local and support your local businesses and community, and we would like to give our thanks to the City of Duncan, Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area and the Cowichan Valley Regional District for supporting the Duncan Farmers’ Market during this time.

Sincerely,

Duncan Farmers’ Market Board of Directors